Published at 27 July, 2026 13:16.
In the UK, Breastfeeding Awareness Month is observed in August, with World Breastfeeding Week taking place from 1st to 7th August 2026.
The theme for 2026 is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems and emphasizing the need for long-term, equitable support for breastfeeding mothers and their families”.
You can find lots of help and information to support breastfeeding here: Breastfeeding help and support - NHS
By stopping smoking before you get pregnant, or as soon as you know you are pregnant can help you have a safer pregnancy and a healthier baby. If you or your partner smoke, making your home completely smoke-free will help protect your baby's health. Ask friends and family not to smoke near your baby.
Smoking can lower your production of breastmilk. Nicotine from mothers who smoke can be found in their breastmilk which then passes to the baby. Breastmilk from smoking mothers has even been found to taste of nicotine! Babies of mothers who smoke are more likely to suffer from colic due to nicotine exposure from smoking. It is worth noting that the NHS still advocates breast feeding even if you do smoke, as breastfeeding will still protect your baby from infections even if you are still smoking. You can reduce your baby’s exposure to smoke by smoking only after feeding and avoid smoking before breastfeeding to limit the amount of nicotine in your breast milk. Smoke outside of your home and car and always away from your baby.
Of course, the best way forward for yourself, your baby and your whole family is to quit smoking. This new life you have created is the perfect reason and motivation to help you and your partner quit. You may want to choose nicotine replacement therapy products to help you quit. A small amount of nicotine from NRT products does pass into breast milk, but the amount from NRT is lower than from smoking. NRT is also a safer choice than exposing your baby to second-hand smoke. Children are especially at risk from passive smoking and pregnant women exposed to passive smoke are more prone to premature birth, and their baby is more at risk of low birthweight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Find more information here: Passive smoking - NHS
You may have quit smoking whilst you were pregnant and resumed smoking once the baby has been born. You can get back on track and stop smoking altogether. There is help and support for the whole family to become smoke free and with a new life beginning, there has never been a better time to start your quit journey together
By Carrie Whitworth at Yorkshire Smokefree NHS Stop Smoking Service
