Can I vape with no nicotine while breastfeeding? 

The popularity of e-cigarettes or vaping, in the US, is on the rise. According to the statistics, 1 in every 20 Americans has a habit of vaping and e-cigarette consumption, especially among college students, aged between 18-29. Vaping or being indulged in these activities is a personal choice.  However, it does raise significant concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women who are addicted to cigarettes or vaping.

 In this article, we are going to discuss what impacts vaping can have on breastfeeding mothers and their babies, while also considering the nicotine content in it. 

What is vaping? 

Vaping is the use of electronic cigarettes that contain an atomizer, which produces a vapor similar to tobacco smoke. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly popular among teenagers, leading to addiction in later life. 

In general, Vaping is considered less harmful than traditional smoking; which also provides are range of flavours and is considered as an alternative step to enjoy the nicotine. 

The statistics conclude that 20% of Americans who are addicted to smoking are between the age group of 18 to 29, and 16% of adults between the ages of 30 to 64 years old. So we can say that vaping among breastfeeding mothers or pregnant mothers is not uncommon. 

A majority of mothers would think of enjoying vaping without the nicotine but Can I vape with no nicotine while breastfeeding is the real question? To understand that, you need to learn about their relationship which we will discuss in detail in the next section. 

What is the relationship between vaping and nicotine?  

Yes, it is correct that the users who are into vaping can choose zero MG or nicotine-free to high concentration of nicotine in their E-liquids. 

Nicotine consumption has a very adverse effect on fetal development. 

If you are a pregnant mother, nicotine consumption can directly impact your Placenta which restricts the blood flow resulting in low birth weight or even, premature death of your baby in the womb. 

Nicotine can also result in long-term effects whose symptoms cannot be seen during birth but can highly impact the baby when he or she proceeds to adulthood. Pregnant women need to know the different risks of all the components of the different E liquids so that they can avoid them as much as possible. Even sitting in front of a person who is vaping, may result in respiratory issues in your baby. So, maintain a proper distance, or avoid going to such places. 

For breastfeeding mothers, it is important to avoid nicotine consumption, e-cigarettes, vaping, or even traditional smoking. Even though there is no comprehensive research on breastfeeding women regarding vaping or nicotine, it is still important to be cautious. The safety of your child, while you are breastfeeding, should be the most important priority on your list. It is recommended to avoid Vaping, even though the non-nicotine seems to be a safe alternative.

Due to the lack of research, we will not recommend our readers to consider vaping while breastfeeding your baby. Apart from that, you can also consult a Health Care professional, to get more insights about your health and how you can cope with your addiction. 

Are nicotine-free e-cigarettes safe during pregnancy?  

The direct answer to this question is NO.  

According to the reports of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maternal smoking habits can be a significant concern that leads to various risks. These risks are listed down below: 

• Thyroid issues and blood pressure issues
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 
• Respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis 
• Impaired lung function 
• Ear infections 
• Getting addicted to smoking (when baby reaches adulthood)
• Obesity in the adulthood of the child  

Caution: There is very limited information on the research outcomes of the impact of toxicants flavorings or solvents used in E-cigarettes in the mother and the Infant. So it is highly recommended to avoid nicotine vaping or smoking as much as possible. Below is the whole report of the drugs of abuse that have adverse effects on breastfeeding impacts 

Table: Drugs of Abuse for Which Adverse Effects on the Breastfeeding Infant Have Been Reported 

How long to wait to breastfeed after vaping? 

 The majority of the people are not able to control their desire or addiction, which is an alarming situation, and an indication to go for a proper Health Care check-up. 

But we do understand that addiction cannot be controlled single-handedly, without any help, and does require strong willpower. 

Even though you have vaped (for once) let’s not consider it as a big concern, for the last chance. And we hope that you will visit the hospital soon to get away with the addiction to vaping, especially nicotine. 

Now the best thing you can do is to call your health care professional and ask them what to do. 

Apart from that, as mentioned earlier the inhaled nicotine directly enters into the mother’s blood which can further move to the baby’s body through the breast milk. So it’s better to wait for about for few hours ( to get the nicotine flushed out of your system) before you breastfeed your baby.

According to research, the smoking habits of breastfeeding mothers have destroyed infants’ sleeping patterns. The research also concluded that maternal smoking can increase the risk of the child being addicted to smoking in his or her adulthood and being higher weight.

The good news is, that the mothers involved in this study were highly motivated to get back to their normal life without having an addiction to smoking. Also, there is a high chance that mothers who stopped smoking, or vaping, during their pregnancy and breastfeeding their baby, had quit smoking for a lifetime. So it is a great chance for you! We wish you luck and be stronger than your addiction.

Does nicotine result in low breast milk? 

Yes, studies have suggested that lactating mothers or breastfeeding mothers should completely avoid the use of nicotine. 

The main reason behind it is the negative impacts on the baby like, overweight,  risk of thyroid problems and blood pressure, etc. 

Does nicotine from e-cigarettes get into breast milk?

Whenever you vape or smoke with nicotine, it directly enters the lungs and diffuses into your circulatory system, which then mixes with the breast milk and moves to the baby’s body.

  After moving into the circulatory system it negatively impacts the levels of breast milk-stimulating hormone called Prolactin, resulting in low production of breast milk, and not enough food for the baby. 

If I can’t stop vaping or using e-cigarettes, should I still breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is one of the most important steps that you must do to provide good growth and development to your baby. 

You can still breastfeed according to the recommendations given by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, but consider waiting for a particular time. Do not directly vape and start breastfeeding the baby. It should be reversed, which means firstly breastfeeding, and then vaping or smoking.

 It will give your body a significant time to flush it out of your system, and the chances of transferring the nicotine content or the smoking content to the baby’s body will be decreased. Although we do not recommend this to any women out there!

The other steps that you must follow around your baby are listed down below: 

• Having smoke-free rules for the home and the car. 
• Do not allow anyone to smoke near your baby. 
• Whenever you smoke, change your clothing, and wash your hands before picking up the baby

Whatever content you are using in vaping, make sure that you already have the information about its potential impacts on you as well as on your baby. 

We highly recommend asking for government help, or your doctor.

For pregnant women and all breastfeeding women, the government has also initiated a campaign called Smokefree. You can click on this link and get yourself register on the website and the government will get back to you. 

Conclusion 

Over the past two years, vaping in the US has significantly increased, and the major impact is on breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. The main reason is that it can significantly put the baby’s health and life at risk. Nicotine passes through the baby’s body through the breast milk which significantly can result in thyroid issues, blood pressure issues, obesity, respiratory illness, etc. It is highly recommended to avoid e-cigarettes or vaping as much as possible for breastfeeding women and pregnant women. 

Women who are not able to handle the addiction on their own are recommended to go for help and register themselves in the programs that may help them overcome their addiction. This will not only help in enhancing the baby’s health but even women’s overall health.  We hope that the article will have helped you in getting the knowledge and you will apply it in your life. 

Note: This article is only for educational purposes and cannot be comprehended with your healthcare professional recommendations.  We also request the reader to not rely on internet articles for diagnosis and to use them only for educational purposes. Visit the hospital whenever it is needed.