Smoking: pregnancy and breast feeding
Smoking tobacco can affect fertility in both males and females.
Nicotine, carbon monoxide and many other chemicals found in tobacco smoke are passed on to the baby through the placenta. These substances can reduce the amount of oxygen available in the mother's blood, which reduces the amount of oxygen available to the baby. This and the effects of the other chemicals found in tobacco smoke can affect the baby's growth and development, increasing the risk of low birth weight, premature birth and spontaneous abortions.
Babies whose parents smoke also have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They are more likely to suffer from asthma and other respiratory infections than babies of non-smokers.
Nicotine and many of the other substances in tobacco smoke are passed through breast milk to the baby. These substances can reduce the supply of breast milk. Smoking just before breastfeeding may also delay the milk ‘let down’ process.
For more information, please click on the Australian Drug Foundation's DrugInfo Clearinghouse web site link below.
Last Reviewed: 20 September 2006
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