Can I Vape While Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and are a current vape user, you may have questions regarding if you can continue to vape after you deliver and begin breastfeeding. Taking the best care of your infant is your priority. It only makes sense that you want to make sure any decisions you make about vaping are safe for your baby. Below is some information on vaping and its effect on breastmilk. It also contains the advice of some experts on breastfeeding and vaping. If you have ever wondered, can you vape while breastfeeding, this article will shed some light. We will close with an overview of some of the top-rated vaping products for 2021.
What is Vaping?
A vape or electronic cigarette is a device created to heat up liquid containing tobacco or marijuana to create a vapor that the user can inhale. Vaping has become one of the most popular methods of consuming both tobacco and marijuana products. Modern vaping as we know it was born in 2003 by Chinese inventor Hon Lik when he invented his e-cigarette.
There are several different types of vaping devices. The vaping liquids themselves can come in many different flavors ranging from minty to fruity. There are even some flavored to resemble your favorite desserts. The variation in flavors and devices has made them incredibly popular.
How Does Vaping Work?
Vaping works by producing an aerosol byproduct through the heating of a liquid. The liquid is converted to a vapor and can deliver nicotine or marijuana to the user by using a mouthpiece. The vapor is inhaled into the lungs and then expelled via the mouth or nose. The vapor inhaled into the lungs contains the drug or nicotine. There are also other chemicals contained in the liquid.
The vaping device itself does not contain the liquid. A cartridge is inserted into the vape device to deliver the liquid that is heated. Different modification pieces can be added. These allow vaping devices to produce bigger clouds when the vapor is exhaled.
Types of Vaping Devices
Whether a vaping newbie or someone who has vaped for quite some time, you may not know the different types of vaping devices available. There are standard devices and then those for the technology savvy. Vaping devices come in four categories:
- Cig-A-Likes – Devices often seen in gas stations and used as entry-level vaping devices. They are called cig-a-likes because of their similar appearance and size to cigarettes.
- Vape Pens – Cylindrical and available in various styles. They are larger than cig-a-likes to increase battery power and cloud production.
- Mods – Are available in regulated or unregulated. The goal is to add this to a device to create more clouds.
- Pod Mods – Low wattage devices that are similar to a cig-a-like. The closest device to smoking a cigarette, these are a new and improved version of the cig-a-like.
The technology of vaping devices and the liquid used will continue to advance rapidly as the industry grows each year.
Vaping and Breastfeeding
There are plenty of women who continue to vape or smoke when they give birth and begin breastfeeding. In fact, 10.5% of women are still smoking when they give birth. Having questions about vaping and breastfeeding is normal.
There are many conflicting views on vaping and breastfeeding. Some believe a woman should quit completely. Others believe vaping is not ideal, but breastfeeding is a crucial aspect of infant development. Those supporters believe nicotine is an inconsequential negative compared to avoiding breastfeeding due to vaping. Vaping is still a relatively new product on the market. It is important to remember that studies of vaping effects on breastfeeding will continue to produce new and updated results.
Can You Vape While Breastfeeding?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the use of e-cigarettes while breastfeeding is strongly discouraged. Vaping while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to pass from mother to infant through breast milk. You can breastfeed if you are vaping. Although it is true that nicotine moves readily into breast milk, the advantages of breastfeeding are believed to outweigh the risks of nicotine exposure compared with choosing to feed your baby formula.
Is it Safe to Vape While Breastfeeding?
The CDC encourages breastfeeding mothers to quit vaping. Even if they are still vaping, they still consider it best to continue with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits, and breast milk is still the recommended food for infants. As with smoking, it is highly recommended to avoid vaping around your infant. You should also change clothing before breastfeeding or caring for your child as the vapor or smoke can linger on clothing. This secondhand exposure can be harmful to the baby.
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Does Vaping Affect Breast Milk Supply?
Vaping does affect breast milk supply. The effects are due to the fact that nicotine easily crosses into breast milk from the mother. This nicotine is ingested via breastmilk and absorbed into the system of the infant. In some studies, the impact on infants who ingest the breast milk supply that has nicotine in it include:
- Reduction in a baby’s appetite as nicotine is an appetite suppressant.
- Disturbed sleep because nicotine is a stimulant.
- May increase the risk of SIDS by affecting the way a baby can resuscitate during hypoxic episodes.
- Interference with normal lung development.
Vaping Health Risks
Vaping is seen as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. It contains anywhere from one-third to half the nicotine found in a regular cigarette. Although there may be less nicotine, there are many other risks to vaping. The liquid itself and the vapor it produces contains harmful substances like:
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Nickel, tin, lead, and other heavy metals
- Diacetyl-containing flavorings. This chemical has been linked to lung disease.
- Volatile organic compounds. They can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. There is also the likelihood of difficulty breathing and nausea, and damage to the central nervous system, and other organs.
- Particles that are ultra-fine and can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These can potentially lodge in the lungs and cannot be expelled.
Studies are ongoing on the health risks of vaping. These are published through medical journals every month. It is best to stay up-to-date on guidance and study outcomes during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Knowledge is always power when it comes to your health and your baby’s health.
Can I Vape With No Nicotine While Breastfeeding?
It is not recommended to vape nicotine-free e-cigarettes. The recommendation is because even some nicotine-free advertised e-cigarettes still contain nicotine. In a 2019 Australian study, six out of 10 nicotine-free e-liquids still had nicotine. There were also test samples that found 2-chlorophenol. That is a toxic substance used in insecticides in these nicotine-free products. It is also important to note that due to the lack of regulation of e-cigarettes, even nicotine-free versions can vary in chemicals from brand to brand.
CBD Vape While Breastfeeding
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against using cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and marijuana while breastfeeding. There are many negative health effects from using marijuana and other THC-containing products while breastfeeding. When breastfeeding, breastmilk can contain THC for up to six days after the use of the chemical. THC may affect brain development in an infant and can result in hyperactivity and poor cognitive function. The FDA advises no to the question can you vape while breastfeeding.
Best Vaping Devices (electronic cigarettes) On the Market
The vaping market exploded as the popularity of e-cigarettes took the world by storm. This explosion in the market means there are many products available to choose from on retailer shelves. It can be very overwhelming. Luckily, there are online resources that rate the best vaping devices on the market today. According to VapingDaily, the top-rated vapes of 2021 include:
- Special K Vape
- Mig 21 Clear Fusion Vape Pen Kit
- VooPoo Drag S Pod Starter Kit
- Khan Dry Herb Vaporizer
- GeekVape Aegis Boost
- VooPoo Drag 2 Refresh Edition 177W Starter Kit
- Uwell Valyrian II Pro Sub Ohm Tank
- VaporFi Grand Reserve Collection
When looking into a vaping kit or device, it is always best to do your own research. Make sure it is a safe device for you and your growing family. There are many quality products on the market. Many products can be dangerous to use. It is best to be discerning in your decision.
Bottom Line,
This overview article regarding vaping, its effects on breastfeeding, and breast milk supply hopefully answered some of your questions regarding can you vape while breastfeeding. It may have put your mind at ease regarding the decision to continue vaping or quit while breastfeeding your newborn. As a current vape user and a woman who is either pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you may have additional questions after reading this article. When it comes to questions regarding pregnancy, breastfeeding or your baby, you should trust your medical professional. If you have more questions that you would like answered before making a final decision, it is always best to speak to your doctor directly.
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