Vaping and breastfeeding

[lightningatmidnight]

I’ve read all the data and advice around this, which is admittedly scant. Long and short - better to abstain, if you don’t, still better to BF rather than formula feed. I’m not a heavy vaper but the 3 minutes of outside time vaping after a long bedtime routine feels like a small piece of salvation and pre-kids me time at the end of the day.

Is anyone else in the same boat? So many people vape these days that there must be other mothers in the same position, feeling the same guilt each day.

I honestly try my best with everything else and do so well with their diet, sensory time, books, gentle but firm parenting - I’m not perfect but this feels like my one parenting flaw and I hate myself for it.

You're correct that it's better to BF but you know you should stop- for yourself and your kids.

Why is 3 mins vaping your only salvation? Where is the baby's Dad?

Finding a healthy outlet for your completely normal need for "me time" should be the focus. It shouldn't be a snatched 3 minutes to increase your risk of cancer.

It’s so hard to describe but it feels like one little connection to a time from before children when my body and time were my own, when it was normal to enjoy a little ‘rush’ - I’m from a family of addicts so its in the blood I guess. I’d love to be a person who had no interest or pull towards things that are bad for you but I’m not, sadly! I love a bottle of wine and a vape and fight (successfully I think, given that I don’t vape all day like many do) to contain it - I don’t drink daily nor to excess, and quite literally have a 2/3 minute vape in the evening to quell the desire, and beat myself up for it every minute since. I suppose I just wanted to see how common it was to feel less alone, rather than trying to appease my guilt.

Whenever I try to find an alternative ‘me time’, it’s chocolate, bubble baths etc. They really aren’t me! I need a heavier dopamine fix than that

I wouldn’t, nicotine passes into through into breastmilk and so it’s not just you that you’re giving a nicotine fix to, it’s also your baby.

Could you swap to a nicotine free vape? You’ll still get the vibe but not the rush?

I’ve thought about it but having researched it, I feel worse about the chemicals than the nicotine. I always wait at least 3-4 hours before BF, and there’s negligible nicotine at that point as it has a fast half life. I hope that in time, studies show vaping has no impact on babies beyond immediate nicotine exposure (disturbed sleep, slow let down - none of which apply to me or my baby) but in the mean time I have immense mum guilt. It makes me want to stop breastfeeding but if I did, I’d feel guilty at that too as everything says breastfeeding still massively better! Just destined to feeling terrible whatever I do 😂

I love my children more than anything but it feels like I can’t have something just for me without feeling guilty.

All you have to do is stop vaping while you’re breastfeeding? It’s not forever, there are so many things you can “have” for you that don’t risk your baby.