Can I smoke cigarettes and still breastfeed?
Nicotine does pass into the breast milk. If you smoke and want to breastfeed, the best thing you can do for you and your baby is to quit smoking. If you choose not to quit smoking, you should still opt for breastfeeding. Substances in the breast milk will protect your baby, to some extent, from some of the dangers of secondhand smoke. Try to cut back and smoke fewer cigarettes. Smoke lower-nicotine brands of cigarettes. Feed your baby at least 95 minutes after your last cigarette, so there will be less nicotine in your breast milk when your baby latches on. Do not smoke while you are nursing. Never smoke in the presence of your child. Smoking around your child greatly increases the risk of respiratory problems and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
I have small breasts, can I still breastfeed?
Breast size, small or large, makes no difference in the success of breastfeeding or the volume of milk production. Breast size depends on the amount of fat and fibrous tissue, not the amount of glandular tissue.
Will the bonding process with my baby be stronger if I breastfeed?
When done properly, either method, breast or bottle, can provide the adequate nourishment and strong emotional bond that growing babies need. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. It takes into account the mother's lifestyle, economic situation, and cultural beliefs. If you aren't sure which approach to use, start with breastfeeding. If it isn't right for you, then switch to bottle-feeding. Starting with a bottle, and then trying to breastfeed later is very difficult.
