I DO NOT Agree what about u?

Julie - posted on 01/24/2010

Ideally she would stop smoking and breastfeed but if she insists on continuing with smoking then shes right that bf is still better than ff. A baby who lives with a smoker is at higher risk of so many things that bf can protect against eg SIDS & asthma so if she ff as well as being at risk from second hand smoke the baby would also have to deal with all the risks ff brings. As already mentioned smoking and bf can cause irritatbility in the baby and it can also effect the womans let down. Bf is probably more difficult for women who smoke (my sister smoked whilst bf and had a very irritable baby, problems with supply etc) but that means they probably need even more support to be able to do it. Support to quit smoking first and foremost but if they have difficulty with that or decide against it than its important they get information and help to overcome those difficulties so the baby can still get the breastmilk it so needs.

Melissa - posted on 01/24/2010

i think a breastfeeding smoker is still better than feeding formula. definitly better not to smoke. but unfortunatly that doesnt always happen, i actually had quit smoking while pregnant, i thought i was free and clear, hadnt smoked for nearly 11months when i picked it up again, i smoke aprox 4 cigs a day and i do breastfeed exclusivly, its terrible and i feel horrible, but unfortunatly it is one of my coping mechanisms :(

oh and PS i do not smoke in my home or vehicle (it is illegal to smoke with kids in car in my city- i would never anyways) nor do i allow other ppl to smoke around my kids or bring them into a smoking home.

Amy - posted on 01/24/2010

I smoked with my first preg, then I quit, i can say it wasn't easy, But i see a HUGE difference between the two. It gets a lot easier to stop doing something unhealthy when you see the little one you are caring for. They dont have a choice you do, and just like anything in this life you can do the right thing even if it's hard. Bottom line baby doesnt get a choice if mommy smokes, drinks, or does drugs, im sure they would ask you to stop if they could.

Jessica - posted on 01/23/2010

It is actually true, breastmilk with nicotine or alcohol is STILL better for the baby than formula, as long as its not on a regular basis. If your going to smoke and BF then smoke IMMEDIATELY after a feed, and then try and keep them from feeding for 90 afterwards. You are only going to get repercussions such as irritibility and restlessness out of the baby if you do.. so its not worth it, But formula is NOT better!!

Nicole - posted on 01/20/2010

dag! Lisa beat me to the punch :D she is doing enough damage while pregnant- the baby needs the antibodies from her milk more than ever something that formula never ever comes remotely close to giving. check out the world health organization recommendations.

Minnie - posted on 01/20/2010

According to La Leche League International and the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is safer for her to breastfeed her baby and smoke than give formula and smoke.


http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAug...

After 95 minutes, the amount of nicotine is sufficiently removed from her milk. It's not the nicotine that is the huge issue here, but the risks of second and third hand smoke. Breastfeeding is by far the better choice.

As horrible as smoking is, she should breastfeed. She should definitely make every effort to quit, or at least cut down her smoking, and she should not smoke in the house or near her infant.

Sammy - posted on 01/20/2010

But to add my opinion - at least with smoking and breastfeeding, babe is getting anti bodies and immunities from mum that formula can't give.
Though tell her that 2nd hand smoke makes the risk of SIDS much, much higher.

Sammy - posted on 01/20/2010

It's actually safer to breastfeed and smoke, than it is to formula feed and smoke.

"It's definitely better if breastfeeding moms not smoke, but if you can't stop or cut down, then it is better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and formula feed."

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

Selia - posted on 01/20/2010

Both are bad in my opinion! Sounds like she won't even try to quit!

Hannah - posted on 01/20/2010

Hmmm I'm just thinking, would you give a baby formula if you knew it contained nicotine? No you wouldn't.... does your friend realise how irritable and unhappy her baby will be with nicotine in it's system. She won't be doing her baby any favours in my opinion, or herself either, she will have a hard time looking after a poor little cranky baby I think.
If she was thinking about breastfeeding and trying to quit, well that would be different.

Teresa - posted on 01/20/2010

I have no opinion on smoking and breastfeeding vs. smoking and formula feeding since I think smoking is absolutely disgusting regardless of circumstances....

Chona - posted on 01/20/2010

It bothers me so much when pregnant women smoke. I think its so selfish. Arg Its hard to feel sorry for them, because they are addicted to a drug.

That's a hard issue: I don't think its healthier for the baby to smoke, I'm torn. I think its great that she wants to breastfeed. She needs help and lots of support. I quit 5 months before I got pregnant, its a struggle everyday but I do it for my baby. I hope/wish she can quit smoking and breast feed that baby for as long as possible.