Nicotine in Breast Milk: Effects on Your Nursing Baby

Effects on the Newborn

Nicotine and its metabolites are readily transferred into human breast milk and can have negative effects on nursing babies, including:

- Increased heart rate and respiratory rate: Nicotine can stimulate the central nervous system, causing the baby's heart and breathing rates to increase.

- Jitters and irritability: Nicotine can also cause the baby to feel jittery and irritable.

- Poor sleep quality: Nicotine can disrupt the baby's sleep patterns, causing frequent awakenings and difficulty falling asleep.

- Reduced milk intake: Nicotine can affect the milk production and may cause the baby to consume less breastmilk, leading to insufficient weight gain.

- Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Some studies have suggested a link between nicotine in breast milk and an increased risk of SIDS, although the evidence is not conclusive.

Effects on Lactation

Nicotine may also alter the production and composition of breast milk:

- Decreased milk production: Nicotine can decrease the production of prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production, leading to a reduction in breastmilk supply.

- Changes in milk composition: Nicotine can change the composition of breast milk, altering the levels of certain nutrients and hormones. For example, nicotine may decrease the levels of vitamin C and folic acid in breast milk, which are essential for the baby's growth and development.

It is recommended that nursing mothers avoid nicotine altogether to protect their babies from these negative effects.

If you are a nursing mother and you smoke or use other nicotine products, quitting is the best thing you can do for you and your baby's health.