Breastfeeding and smoking :( need advice..?

Question

im 19 and have been smoking for years (i know its nothing i'm proud of)

when i found out i was pregnant i managed to stop smoking by eventually cutting them down n then stopped completely (the smell made me sick)

i now am a BreastFeeding mum of a 9 week old boy but in the early weeks i started feeling really down and upset cos i'm a single mum and felt i couldn't cope, and i eventually started smoking again :(

i have tried cutting down, and even tried smoking very light cigarettes (but it only made me crave more). when i ran out of cigs i started lighting left over cigs from the ashtray - disgusting i know but i was desperate!

i don't smoke around my boy, always outside and i brush my teeth n wash my hands all the time but i know this doesn't stop him being affected.

i would do ANYTHING to stop, but just not buying cigs dsn't help and i'm finding it extremely difficult. i was wondering if ANY1 had any tips to stop, i'm i allowed to use nicotine patches or any other method?

i'm not smoking as much as i used to but its gone up to almost a pkt a day! please any advice would be appreciated!

thanks in advance! x

Answer 1

If you can't stop smoking, stop breastfeeding. breast may be best for baby but ot when they're getting nicotine into their system!

Have you mentioned this to your doctor or health visitor? Maybe they can help you, perhaps hypnosis? Don't beat yourself up too much-smoking is an addiction and not always something you can just give up without help.

Answer 2

My friend has just had a baby, and unfortunately has smoked all the way through her pregnancy. He's a few days old now, and she is smoking a lot less now than when she was pregnant. Anyway, she isn't breastfeeding at the moment, but apparently it's actually better to breastfeed than bottle feed if you do smoke. Your breast milk has immunities that can counteract some of the things that your smoking is doing to your baby. Of course, the breast milk would be even better for baby if you didn't smoke at all, but the less you smoke the better.

Don't leave cigarettes in the ashtray, when you've finished smoking just get rid of it completely. And ask people not to smoke around you. And more than anything, if you can't quit then cut down. Ask someone to help you cut down, by perhaps giving you an allowance every day and you having to make them last. If you are smoking a packet of 10/20 now, cut down to 9/19 in a day or two. Do it slowly if you need to, stress is bad for both you and baby. Also, see your doctor and talk about it. Remember to mention why you started smoking. Your doctor will know what you can and can't have/do whilst you are breastfeeding. For now though, just keep washing and brushing your hands and teeth and keeping baby away from your smoking.

The best part is that you actually want to stop smoking, so you most probably will. Try not to let it stress you out, and cut down by as much as you can and when you can- Without getting stressed!

Good luck :o) x

Answer 3

Cut down...try to get some help or find another way to cope with stress. A pack a day is not healthy at ALL...it's way too much!!  

Answer 4

Why don't you go to your local chemist and get nicotine patches that why its more healthier for you and your baby and its free as you don't pay for prescriptions for up to a year after having a baby you can do it babes good luck{mother to 4month old baby daughter.x*x

Answer 5

I feel bad for you...I'm fighting the urge to take smoking back up :(  It is so difficult especially when you are feeling a bit rubbish.  You know its not helping but its a vicious cycle isn't it.  The worse you feel the more you smoke. Then you crave it more.

I thankfully by the grace of god havent taken it back up because I keep thinking about being smelly round my son and he doesn't know me in that way so I'm not going to tarnish it, I know he is only 5 months old but I would be so disappointed :(

When you feel like you want to smoke get your baby in the pram and go for a walk.  I also have a peice of chocoltae or cheese when I feel like that, this releases the same chemicals in to your brain!

It will be hard at night when it's just you but stick it out because like someone else said if you smoke your child is more likely to smoke and I would rather chop off my arms than have my boys smoke because we all know how horrible it is and difficult evil thing to break.

You done well to stop the 1st time and you can do it again.  Speak to your Health Visitor or GP and there is loads of help avalible on the NHS so good luck x

Answer 6

Did you know that after smoking a cigarette it takes a full hour to clear the air around you enough not to pass on to a baby?

God, I start off sounding like my grampa, who used to tell me - "you think it's your friend, but it's not" (of smoking, of course).

I gave up during my first pregnancy at 30 weeks, and yes I know I should have given up earlier, but i couldn't manage it. I went on holiday last year in october, and while drunk and happy, started again. I was about 8 weeks pregnant this time when i managed to stop. The only advise I can give is not to do it by halves, cutting down never worked for me, I had to do cold turkey. But i'm an all-or-nothing type of person. I'd also advise finding something else to do with your hands - I know it's a little old fashioned, but maybe knitting? Everyone laughs at me knitting when i'm not even 26 yet, but it keeps your hands occupied and gives you a little something to aim towards - finishing that baby cardi. You can find loads of free patterns online and even sites that help to teach you.

I admire that you're desperate to quit, it's the best thing you can do for your baby. Best of luck!

Answer 7

Not smoking around your baby doesn't mean anything...If you're breastfeeding, you're feeding him the nicotine that smoking puts into your system...Might as well light one up and put it straight into his mouth...

Answer 8

If you can stop smoking it's unhealthy for you and your child . If parents smoke your child is likely to smoke  

Answer 9

You can still smoke and breastfeed. Just make sure you give yourself 60-90 minutes after smoking before you feed. Then after feeding, you can smoke again.

They say it is better to smoke and breastfeed, than to formula feed.

As for quitting, just try cutting back as much as you can. Cold turkey won't do it. It will drive you crazy, and you'll be back to smoking regularly.  

Answer 10

talk to your dr about what you can do to stop smoking and what is okay while breastfeeding your baby. If your unable to stop all together stop breast feeding.. breastfeeding is only better for child if the mother is taking care of herself. You may not smoke around baby but what you put in your system you put in your babys system and its really hard on his body. You really need to make a decision and do it fast before your childs heath becomes compromised  

Answer 11

Use your child as motivation (what I did) and talk to your doctor regarding any medication that you might want to try.  I'm not sure if Welbutrin (sp?) is safe to use while breast feeding but I used that and it was a big help.  However, no quit smoking aid is going to help unless you have the motivation to do so.  (Speaking from experience with that statement and I know it to be a fact!)  In the meantime, don't quit breastfeeding unless you smoke more than one pack a day (and try to cut down).  The benefits still outweigh the risks {bring on the thumbs down}.  I'm not encouraging you to smoke by saying that, BTW.  You can do it, by asking this question you have already made the first step.  Good luck!!!

Answer 12

I think you need to check this out.  http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...  If you could stop smoking for your baby before, you should be able to stop now.  Smoking shouldn't be an outlet for stress.  If you're feeling postpartum depression, go see your doctor.  They can give you a hormone shot that'll make you feel all better.  No matter what way you look at it, smoking is not good for newborns.  They have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and can't handle second hand smoke.  Do whats right for your baby!

Answer 13

Again, don't stop breastfeeding!!!

It is still better to breastfeed when smoking, than bottle feed (sounds like some people have put their personal views across, rather than fact!!!). Please go and see your GP or Practice Nurse they can put you on nicotine replacement therapy, and give you the best advice!! Remember prescriptions are still free for 12 months!

Answer 14

You should not use patches if you are breast feeding. It would be less harmful to smoke and wait at least an hour until feeding.

I strongly suggest you read Allen Carr Easyway for Women to Stop Smoking. It deals with your kind of situation in a non patronising and incredibly helpful way.

I do feel for you, I am an ex smoker (30 a day habit for 20 years) and I know how bloody difficult this is. I wish you every success with stopping.

Answer 15

Useful site.Says you can use patches at the bottom.Try sipping a tall glass of cold water when you get the urge to smoke.Helps fill the time till the urge passes and it's good for you.

http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/p...