What are the effects of nicotine on my health and the health of my breast fed baby?
• Nicotine is a chemical found in cigarettes, bidis and kreteks (imported cigarettes), cigars, pipes, “light” cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and snuff). If you use nicotine, you increase your risk of getting many types of cancers and heart disease, and many other medical problems. These medical problems can be very serious, and can kill you. Scientists have found that nicotine spreads throughout your body when you smoke, and has also been found in breast milk. This means that you are feeding your baby this harmful chemical if you use nicotine during the time that you are breast feeding. • Cigarette smoking may reduce the amount of milk your body makes. The fat content of your milk may also be reduced. Both of these side effects of smoking may cause your baby to gain weight too slowly. Smoking may also cause you to have to stop breast feeding (wean) earlier than you wanted to. • Second-hand smoke has many of the same chemicals found in cigarettes. Exposure to second-
