Comparison between Postpartum Smokers and Ex-Smokers as to Breastfeeding Duration and its Impact on the Health of Newborns

Abstract

Introduction: The harmful influence of tobacco smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding is widely described in the literature. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and tobacco smoking among mothers smokers and ex-smokers in the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre and its effects on their babies. Method: A cross-sectional study applying a questionnaire by telephone among mothers smokers in the HCPA, separated in two groups: women who had not smoked after delivery (G1) and those who smoked after delivery (G2). Continuous variables were described by measures of central tendency and dispersion; categorical variables by absolute and relative frequencies. Means were compared with Student-t and complications between the groups with chi-square. Results: 154 mothers were evaluated, respectively, 75 in G1 and 79 in G2. Age did not differ between groups (26.0 and 24.7 years); 67.5% had prenatal care and, of these, half did not smoke during the postpartum period. Only 51.3% received medical information that smoking could cause complications for her and her baby. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to problems or respiratory problems in babies. The groups breastfed, on average, 7.2 (G1) and 6.2 (G2) months and there was no statistically significant difference between them. In group G2, there was a tendency for breastfeeding cessation due to respiratory causes (p=0.058). Conclusion: There were no significant changes with respect to respiratory problems in infants or early breastfeeding cessation in mothers who smoke. However, tobacco smoking is a worrisome public health problem and should receive continued attention in this special group of women.