How can the nicotine in a nursing mother’s milk affect nursing babies?

Answer

•Harmful components in nicotine such as cyanide can be transferred to the baby via breast milk

•Nicotine can be absorbed by the intestine of the baby to result into apnea and vomiting

•Interference with normal lung development of the baby

Explanation

Nicotine is a harmful chemical found naturally in tobacco plants and could be readily absorbed into the milk of a breastfeeding mother from her blood. Nicotine in a baby’s milk can further result into raised heart rate of the baby, disturbed sleep due to the stimulant effect of nicotine, and vomiting /nausea especially if the mother is a regular smoker.