Breast milk is the "perfect food" for your baby. However, if you smoke, drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or certain medications, they will get into your breast milk. This can be harmful to your baby.

A mother who uses tobacco or is exposed to second hand smoke has nicotine in her breast milk, which is then passed on to her baby. Whether you breastfeed or not, second hand smoke is absorbed through a baby's skin as well as his lungs.

	Smoking is linked to decreased milk production.
	Infants and children who are around smoke get more colds, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and colic.
	Smoking has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
	A hot ash can burn your baby.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby. If you plan to breastfeed your baby, it is recommended that you quit smoking. However, if it is not possible to quit at this time, use these precautions:

	Never smoke or allow others to smoke near your baby.
	Switch to nicotine gum or patch to avoid exposure to smoke - but nicotine will still be present in your breast milk.
	Limit tobacco use and/or use low-nicotine tobacco brands.
	Avoid tobacco use immediately before and during breastfeeding.

Alcohol and drugs will be present in your breast milk even with occasional use. Some substances may remain in your breast milk for hours, others for days. There is no standard time that is considered safe to breastfeed after using alcohol or drugs. Both alcohol and drugs will affect your infant more than you; this is because babies are smaller and more immature and their bodies are not able to tolerate these substances. The impact of these substances on your baby can be very serious and have long-term, harmful effects and even cause death.

If you must use alcohol and/or drugs:

	It is considered safe to breastfeed your baby if you have not had more than one glass of wine (5.5 oz.), or 2 (8 oz.) glasses of beer, or 1 oz. of liquor within a four-hour period. If you have had more than the amounts listed, follow the guidelines below when using alcohol and/or drugs:
	If you plan to resume breastfeeding, pump and discard your breast milk. Pump as often as your baby would feed and obtain as much milk as your baby is taking from supplemental feedings during this time. Do not breastfeed until your health care provider or breastfeeding counselor tells you your milk is again safe for your baby.
	If you do not plan to return to breastfeeding, pump only as much milk needed to keep your breasts from hurting. In a few days, you will not need to pump.
	If you use alcohol and/or drugs more frequently, stop breastfeeding, and follow the advice above.
	Only feed your baby previously pumped milk - free of alcohol and/or drugs, or formula.

Although many over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs are safe to use while breastfeeding, always check with your health care provider or breastfeeding counselor to ensure safety. Be sure to take prescribed medications only in the dosage and frequency your health care provider recommends.

Breastfeeding is a special gift only you can give your baby.

Remember:
Whether you breast-feed or not, here are some important things you can do for you and your baby:

	Spend time playing with your little one. Cuddle, rock, sing and talk to your baby; this will let your baby know how much you love him or her.
	Exercise or do other activities you enjoy for your physical and emotional health.
	Drink plenty of water and eat a variety of healthy foods to maintain your health and energy.
	Hold your baby when feeding pumped milk or formula; this may help prevent your baby from choking or overeating.