Why Breast milk doesn't cancel out smoking

I'm going to get on my anti-smoking soapbox, so if you don't want to hear it, skip this entry. Please don't send me a bunch of hate mail if you disagree with me either.

Even before I learned exactly how negatively smoking affects breast milk I would become irritated when I saw a mom smoking. After reading what exactly happens to your breast milk when you smoke, I feel even worse for the babies getting "smokey milk". I realize everyone has their vices, but try to find one that isn't so harmful to your little bundle of joy. Alright, jumping off my soapbox and onto the cold hard facts!

When a breastfeeding mom smokes it:

• Limits the transfer of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for vision and immunity.



• Reduces the amount of Vitamin E found in breast milk. Vitamin E protects cells membranes from oxidation.



• Reduces the amount of Vitamin C fond in breast milk. Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant. It is required for at least 300 metabolic functions in the body including-tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums.



• Can interfere with milk let-down.



• Lower milk production


• Increase the risk for allergies, both prenatal and postnatal

All this being said, it is still better to breastfeed or formula, but please try to quit smoking if you do smoke. It will be one of the MANY sacrifices you will make for your child, and it is worth it.

Poop

I have a 3 year old boy, and pooping and peeing are very exciting things at our house. When we go to the zoo, the highlight of the trip is if he gets to see an animal relieve themselves. So I decided I would make my first informational post all about poop.

-Having contact with some maternal feces during birth is desirable. You see, at and after birth the maternal intestinal flora is the main source of bacteria for colonizing the baby's gut. Because an infant is exposed to this during birth, it starts the process of getting good intestinal flora, right out of the birth canal. So all you ladies that are freaked out about pooping while giving birth, it's okay because you are helping your baby!

Let me introduce myself...

Let me take a few minutes to tell you about myself and this blog. I am 29 and finally figured out what I would like to do with my life! I want to become a lactation consultant-an IBCLC lactation consultant. Now I know that it is going to take A LOT of time and A LOT of hard work, but I've discovered that when it is something you really want to do, it doesn't seem that bad! Along with the IBCLC I want to become DONA certified and become a postpartum Doula. I'm excited for this new adventure I'm on. My Grandma suggested that I share some of my studies with my "friends" on facebook. Instead of doing that, I decided I would share something every couple days on this blog, then there will be one location where all this interesting amazing things about breast feeding and breast milk and whatever else I decide to share can be found. I hope that you enjoy reading this and enjoy learning with me.