Yes, nicotine can get into your breastmilk.

If you use tobacco or nicotine products like patches or gum while you’re breastfeeding, you can pass some of that nicotine along to your baby in your breastmilk. Depending on how much you use, nicotine stays in your breastmilk for about 4-7 hours.

But even if you smoke or use other nicotine products, doctors still recommend that you breastfeed. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks that come from smoking or using nicotine.

Doctors don’t know if nicotine can harm your baby. There isn’t a lot of research out there about it. A few studies have found that it can make your baby not sleep well. What doctors do know is that second-hand smoke from smoking and vaping is bad for your baby. That’s why they recommend that you do your best to stop smoking or vaping if you’re breastfeeding. If you have to smoke or vape, doctors recommend that you don’t do it anywhere near your baby.

Even though nicotine can get into your breastmilk, doctors still recommend nicotine replacement therapy for trying to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy is when you use medicine or patches, gum, cough drops, or nasal spray with nicotine in it to help you quit smoking. Anything you can do to keep your baby from being near second-hand smoke is better for them.

If you smoke or vape, talk to your doctor about ways that you can lower the risk for your baby, like nicotine replacement therapy.

 

Nicotine can pass to your baby indeed, but if you can, you should still breastfeed!