Vaping & Breastfeeding - so annoyed at myself!

[GraceyK]

I’m not looking for sympathy, or massive criticism. Just a place to vent anonymously.

I vaped prior to falling pregnant, and of course gave it up. I went back to work when my daughter was 13 months old, and we were still breastfeeding. But the stress of work triggered my urge to vape again. And I caved… I started vaping only on my working days (4), and put a cap at midday so there was always minimum 5 hours before my daughter returned from day care. I’ve never vaped with her in the house, around her or when there’s not a good few hours before she’s home.

My Daughter is now 23 months and we are still breastfeeding. But I am so ashamed, and eventually chucked all vape stuff away last week. I’m furious at myself. And now I am terrified of the damage I’ve done.

I know why I did it. I was overwhelmed, stressed and anxious - and needed my old vice back for a bit of calm. I read the guidelines in advance and followed them (ie still breastfeed, leave time in between etc).

I’m so cautious with everything else. Organic, home cooked meals every night. Limited plastic. Outside time as much as possible. Toxin checking all her products. Keeping her fit and active. But omg I feel like I’ve totally failed her.

Just needed to get it off my chest. Thank you for listening if you’ve read this far!

Just here to acknowledge your rant to get it off your chest. I vaped a few times while BF because I genuinely had no idea nicotine passed to breastmilk!

Its done. You stopped. You know not to do again. Baby is fine. YOU will be fine!

Be kind to yourself
You have stopped now and that's the most important thing and who knows maybe there is a mum vaping and breastfeeding right now and will think again having read this
You can't change the past so look back with compassion and focus on finding new ways to cope in the future

It’ll be fine. My parents smoked in the house/car 10 fags a day each when we were kids. All 4 of us are ok.

Gosh well done for giving up. That's fantastic.

I understand why you are worried, but as parents we do the best we can at the time and sometimes we do things that are less than ideal. If this is the worst thing you ever do as a parent, I think you're doing pretty great.