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Original poster

Newborn and smoking precautions

18 replies

Namechangegardens · 02/10/2021 09:16

I'll be frank. My baby is 3 weeks old and I really want a cigarette. My first since December 2020 though not looking for praise. Was a social smoker in my previous life.

What precautions should I take? I'll be

GOing to park across the road, partner at home with baby
taking clothes off after and straight in washing machine
Going straight in shower
Currently expressing pre cigarette (he can only bottle feed anyway and mostly on formula)

Should I be doing anything else?
Thanks

OP posts:
poshme · 02/10/2021 09:21

You should not be starting smoking again.

Do something else as a distraction

Chemenger · 02/10/2021 09:24

Why on earth would you start smoking again, especially with all the palaver you describe? Just ride out the craving.

BertieBotts · 02/10/2021 09:27

Avoid holding the baby for 30 minutes after smoking as you will be breathing out carbon dioxide during this time.

Don't cosleep if you are smoking at all, even if you don't smoke near the baby.

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BertieBotts · 02/10/2021 09:28

And I wouldn't smoke in the car - do it outside. Then smoke particles won't cling to the environment your baby spends time in.

Soontobe60 · 02/10/2021 09:28

Why would you want to start smoking again?

ButterflyAway · 02/10/2021 09:30

You’ve went almost a year without a cigarette, as someone who gave in and started smoking again within a similar time frame - you do not want to start again. You get lazy and sloppy about changing, you suddenly cba going across to the park so it’s at your doorstep instead and suddenly you’re back to 20 a day and feeling like a complete and utter failure. You don’t need a cigarette, you no longer have any nicotine in your system so keep it that way. And please don’t smoke if you’re breastfeeding.

BruceAndNosh · 02/10/2021 09:30

That's a lot of work just for a fag.

KaptainKaveman · 02/10/2021 09:34

@BruceAndNosh

That's a lot of work just for a fag.
yes! it's verging on funny in fact. Just have a fag in the garden!
KaptainKaveman · 02/10/2021 09:34

Although my dd tells me we must no longer use that word, soz .

Isabellabasil · 02/10/2021 09:37

After a cigarette you breathe out carbon monoxide for up to 12 hours. I understand the craving and I am not judging but if you can ride out this craving just think how amazing you will feel! Can uou get to a pharmacy for some nicotine patches quick? Also look into NHS stop smoking services. You got this

Nellle · 02/10/2021 09:41

OP, ignore the Ms Perfects who have offered you answers to a question you didn't ask.

Becoming a mum doesn't make you infallible and if you're going to smoke you're right to double check how you can safely do it.

You're doing all the right things. The change of clothes is an important one, plus not cuddling baby for an hour afterwards to be on the safe side.

Congratulations on your new baby. Those first few weeks are soooo tough.

Original poster
Namechangegardens · 02/10/2021 09:43

Woops forgot to put in a disclaimer that I wasn't looking for outraged replies about how I shouldn't be smoking. Just to clarify, the last thing I have time for in my life is a regular smoking habit, when I say I was a social smoker, I am talking about maybe 5 cigarettes a month. A pack would last me about half a year.

Thank you for the practical advice. Oh, and I don't have a garden.

OP posts:
Twizbe · 02/10/2021 11:01

I'm an ex smoker. Well done for stopping when you did. Its really hard to do.

The craving you're feeling is normal. Especially after a stressful upheaval of having a baby.

BUT you've made it this far ... is it worth going through all this for that nicotine hit?

How about going for a walk to get some nicotine gum which you can use to get your fix without the associated faff of getting home?

What worked for me was strong black tea. When I had an intense craving I'd take myself outside to where I could smoke but drink the tea instead. I got the outdoor break that I was also craving but kept myself distracted. I'd drink lapsang tea too which has a smoky flavour.

Stay strong, you can beat the addiction

Peaplant20 · 02/10/2021 11:39

Are you going to manage doing all of that every time you have a cigarette? What if you’ve just had one and baby is hungry and no one else is around to feed the baby. Or what if you really want one and no one else is around so you can nip to the park for one? You’ve gone through all of the hard work of giving up already so why don’t you seek support to stay that way? As a child who grew up with a parent who smoked it always made me and my sister really sad and we spent our lives trying to get him to quit, we were very conscious of it even from about 5-6 years old. He gave up for a few years and started again and then managed to quit again a few years ago and we are so proud of him. Not going to lie I used to think all the time why won’t he give up for me? I know it’s an addiction but as a child I couldn’t help thinking that and I’d hate for my own children to feel like that about me. Even at 5-6 years old I was also very aware that he could get cancer from it which obviously made me really scared and sad too.

Newmum29 · 02/10/2021 12:02

I’m sorry but that’s your experience only. I had a parent who smoked and it didn’t bother me as a child or as an adult. Don’t put that on other people.

OP as pp have said my main concern would be co sleeping. You may not but if you do then I definitely wouldn’t after a cigarette.

ChristmasPlanning · 02/10/2021 13:21

@ButterflyAway

You’ve went almost a year without a cigarette, as someone who gave in and started smoking again within a similar time frame - you do not want to start again. You get lazy and sloppy about changing, you suddenly cba going across to the park so it’s at your doorstep instead and suddenly you’re back to 20 a day and feeling like a complete and utter failure. You don’t need a cigarette, you no longer have any nicotine in your system so keep it that way. And please don’t smoke if you’re breastfeeding.
This
Milkbottlelegs · 02/10/2021 13:25

OP I know it’s not what you asked but it’s such a waste of all that effort to go back to it now. I’d you’re a social smoker what’s social about going to the park on your own?

I was so annoyed with myself for going back to smoking after my first. Only ever when I was out which let’s face it is not that often when you have a small child. Have managed not to cave since DC2 so it’s now been about 2.5 years.

FWBNC · 02/10/2021 13:33

I'm not at all 'Outraged' but I think you're being daft. After this long your cravings are psychological not physical. You don't 'crave' a cigarette, look at why you want one, do you want a strong flavour, time to yourself, ???

Try some deep breathing exercises, they can be a good help in the 'relaxing' feeling of inhaling a cigarette.

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