Postnatal mothers' views on the effects of smoking on breastfeeding

Abstract

Most studies conducted on the effects of smoking on breastfeeding concluded that maternal smoking tends to decrease breastfeeding rates and increase early weaning. A decreased milk supply and different quality of breast milk, along with psychological and social factors, may be reasons why smoking mothers breastfeed less. Smoking and breastfeeding seem to be viewed as opposing health habits, however smoking does have an influence on breastfeeding rates and success because there are mothers who smoke and breastfeed or, do not breastfeed because they smoke. The aim of this study is to examine postnatal mothers' views on the effects of smoking on breastfeeding. This is a descriptive small-scale survey with a convenience sample of 22 mothers. Participants were recruited at a postnatal ward in a local general hospital. Self-administered questionnaires were used as data collection tool. Findings indicate that mothers are well informed on the benefits of breastfeeding and view smoking as having no advantages to health. Mothers believe that smoking affects breastfeeding by changing milk supply and composition, causing an inferior milk quality and increasing the risk of a baby to suffer from respiratory tract infections. Passive smoking also alters milk quality and affects the baby. Mothers view smoking while breastfeeding as a cause for asthma in infants. Findings also indicate that breastfeeding rates decrease with maternal smoking. Psychosocial factors are responsible for the lower breastfeeding rates in women who smol(e and it seems that breastfeeding increases with maternal age and educational level and decreases as the presence and number of siblings increases. Several suggestions have been made for further research, including the need for a replication large-scale study, since small sample size is the major limitation of this study, and to conduct a longitudinal stu<ly to look into maternal views antenatally, soon after birth, and later postnatally. It is recommended to educate mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding both for them and for their baby even if they smoke.