Previously, we have covered the effects of vaping while pregnant; now we turn our attention to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is crucial for your baby’s health, as it provides all the essential nutrients—such as proteins, fats, and carbs—needed for growth. It also offers significant benefits for both mom and baby: for babies, it reduces the risk of conditions like cancer, diabetes, and respiratory issues; for moms, it supports postpartum weight loss and lowers the risk of breast cancer.
Vaping while breastfeeding’s effects on a baby’s health are worth considering. While it’s likely safer than smoking, vaping isn’t completely harmless. E-cigarettes can still contain nicotine and other chemicals that may impact your baby’s well-being.
That said, breastfeeding is incredibly important—even if you vape—because it provides all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and thrive.
If you’re nursing and using e-cigarettes, you might be curious about how long nicotine stays in your system or how vaping could affect your little one. Even if you maintain a healthy lifestyle in other ways, vaping can still have risks for both you and your baby. Keep reading to learn more and decide whether quitting while breastfeeding is the right choice for you!
Vapor Trails and Baby Tales: The Effects of Vaping While Breastfeeding
E-cigarettes, or vapes, are small devices that turn a nicotine-filled liquid into vapor, giving users an experience similar to smoking regular cigarettes. But like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes can introduce harmful chemicals into breastmilk—most notably nicotine.
Research shows that babies breastfed by smokers have much higher levels of cotinine (a byproduct of nicotine) in their system compared to bottle-fed babies of smokers. This proves that nicotine is passed directly through breast milk rather than from secondhand smoke.
Nicotine doesn’t just stop there—it can also mess with a baby’s sleep. Studies on traditional cigarette-smoking moms found that while the amount of milk consumed by their babies stayed the same, the infants slept significantly less after breastfeeding. After the moms smoked, babies averaged only 53 minutes of sleep compared to 84 minutes when the moms refrained. Nicotine seems to shorten the longest sleep bout and reduce the time spent in both active and quiet sleep. In short, the more nicotine a baby is exposed to, the more their sleep suffers.
This disruption in sleep/wake cycles highlights a potential motivation for moms to quit smoking—not only to improve their baby’s health but also to make breastfeeding a more positive experience. After all, no one wants their milk to taste like cigarettes or to interfere with their baby’s much-needed rest!
E-cigarette vapor also may contain heavy metals like cadmium and lead, which can find their way into breast milk. Cadmium, a long-lasting toxin with a half-life of up to 38 years, doesn’t show its effects immediately but has been linked to oxidative stress in infants. Meanwhile, lead is particularly worrisome for young children because they’re highly sensitive to its toxic effects. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, lead stored in a mother’s bones is released into the blood, further increasing exposure. Even low levels of lead can cause serious long-term health issues, according to the World Health Organization. These can include developmental delays, reduced IQ, behavioral problems, anemia, and even organ damage. The effects of lead exposure often stay hidden until later in life, as it can accumulate in a child’s bones for decades.
That said, while smoking and vaping do introduce toxins to breastmilk, the amounts are tiny. For breastfeeding moms who vape, the heavy metal contamination in their milk is considered minimal—far below levels likely to harm their baby. In fact, it’s still better to breastfeed while vaping than to forgo breastfeeding altogether, as the benefits of breastmilk outweigh the risks of these trace contaminants.
From Numbers to Narratives: The Behavior of Vaping While Breastfeeding
E-cigarettes (e-cigs) have become a popular alternative for those trying to quit smoking, offering a potentially less harmful option than traditional cigarettes. Many women who quit smoking during pregnancy start again postpartum, which can affect breastfeeding decisions. However, there’s still much to learn about how women feel about using e-cigs during this time.
Interestingly, women who used e-cigs had higher breastfeeding rates than those who smoked regular cigarettes or used both products. About 86 percent of e-cig users started breastfeeding, compared to 72 percent of smokers. At six months, 49 percent of e-cig users were still breastfeeding, while only 31 percent of smokers continued to do so. Women who didn’t vape or smoke had the best results, with 85 percent initiating breastfeeding and 57 percent continuing at six months.
Studies also show that breastfeeding can encourage smoking abstinence postpartum. Moms who plan to breastfeed are more likely to avoid returning to smoking, and those who stick with breastfeeding are often smoke-free longer.
Still, smoking remains a challenge for many new mothers. Around 44 percent return to smoking within six months of giving birth, and 75 percent within a year. Some women use e-cigs as a way to prevent relapsing, often triggered by stress, mental health struggles, or the demands of motherhood. E-cigs may provide relief similar to what smoking once offered but without the same level of harm.
Smoking can complicate breastfeeding in several ways. High levels of smoking (ten or more cigarettes daily) can reduce milk production and alter its composition, potentially leading to early weaning. Smokers are also more likely to worry about inadequate milk supply or lose motivation to breastfeed. Babies of mothers who smoke heavily may experience colic or crying, which can also lead to earlier weaning.
There’s a hypothesis that nicotine might interfere with prolactin and oxytocin, two key hormones that drive milk production. Reduced milk supply might cause babies to nurse more often and even slow their growth if milk volume becomes too low. However, this theory is mostly based on animal studies, so its relevance to humans remains to be determined.
While there’s little consistent evidence that nicotine directly harms breastmilk production, smoking remains linked to lower breastfeeding rates. E-cigs, while not risk-free, might offer a less harmful option for moms navigating these challenges.
Conclusion
So, is vaping bad while breastfeeding? Short answer: Yep, it’s not great. The CDC recommends steering clear of e-cigarettes while breastfeeding because they can contain nicotine and other sketchy chemicals. Plus, the FDA hasn’t given vaping the green light for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding—they haven’t even studied it in those situations!
Here’s the deal: nicotine levels in breast milk can be way higher than in your blood, which isn’t exactly ideal for your baby. BUT, breastfeeding still offers big-time benefits, like protecting your baby from respiratory illnesses—even if you smoke or vape. That said, ditching vaping is the best move you can make for your little one.
Think about it: quitting means fewer chemicals in your milk and healthier bonding time with your baby. Breastfeeding moms who stop smoking or vaping give their babies a better start, and breast milk is always better than formula—even if you’re still working on quitting.
So, why not give it a shot? Your baby’s rooting for you—and hey, so are we!
Tip-Top Tips for Reducing Nicotine in Breast Milk
Worried about nicotine in your breast milk? The best move for both you and your baby is to quit smoking altogether. But hey, if you’re not quite there yet, no judgment! Here are some handy tips to help reduce the amount of nicotine in your breast milk:
1. Cut Back on Smoking
Even reducing the number of cigarettes or tobacco products you use can make a difference. Fun fact: a study found that 83 percent of moms who factored smoking into their breastfeeding decisions either quit or cut back to keep nursing.
2. Time It Right
Wondering, “How long to wait to breastfeed after vaping?” Good question! Nicotine levels in your body peak right after smoking or vaping and gradually drop. Nicotine has a half-life of about 90 minutes, so one way to reduce exposure is to smoke (or vape) right after feeding your baby. That way, there’s more time for nicotine levels to go down before your little one’s next meal. Of course, with a newborn who feeds often, this can be tricky to manage.
3. Consider Quit-Smoking Aids
If you’re ready to make a change, swap cigarettes for a nicotine patch or gum (but talk to your doctor first!). These can deliver a steady, lower dose of nicotine, which might reduce how much ends up in your breast milk.
Need Extra Support?
You’re not alone in this! Check out these resources to help you quit:
1. Freedom from Smoking by the American Lung Association
2. Smokefree.gov, loaded with tools and tips from the National Cancer Institute
3. The CDC’s “How to Quit Smoking” guide
4. Use the 4Ds to Fight Cravings
When you feel the urge to smoke, try these 4Ds instead:
- Delay: Wait 5 minutes—cravings usually pass.
- Deep Breathe: Take slow, calming breaths.
- Do Something Else: Keep those hands busy.
- Drink Water: Sip slowly to distract yourself.
You’ve got this—one craving at a time!
