Hi mums! I consider myself a good person, I am great at my part time job, I am a dedicated wife, I am a great mum. My issue? I am breastfeeding my 15 month old and once (sometimes twice) a day, I smoke a ciggerate. I feel incredible guilt every single time, but I still do it!! I didn't touch a ciggerate while I was pregnant and until my baby was about 13 months. Can someone ease my guilt, tell me I am not a terrible person for this daily slip up?
3 Replies
It's called an addiction for a reason. If I was obese and breastfeed would you say I was a terrible mum?
As a non-smoker though I did some quick research as I didn't know any facts on smoking and breastfeeding. This article was quite helpful, very balanced and not "you must not smoke".
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/breastfeeding-and-smoking
I was like you, I had a couple of smokes here and there whilst I was breast feeding. I just made sure that I did it after a feed, so that I had a few hours up my sleeve before the next feed. There are a lot worse crimes in the world!
Yes we know its not good for us, yes we know all the rest of it.....
I always made sure that I put a different top on and washed my hands etc, so that my clothes and hands etc didn't smell of smoke when my daughter was awake, feeding , in my arms.
Its very hard and I too have been in this position .. yes its an addiction and nooo mother ever wants to fill their baby with horrid nicotine regardless what people say and think !! Saying that you do know its wrong no matter how anyone trys to sugar coat it its disgusting and who cares really if you smoke outside wit a jacket on.. I mean it stinks the outside anyhow the smell lingers even after shower brush teeth etc . But it never leaves your mind because you know its wrong and u fair and would you rather someone else bring up your kids if you die of a horrible cancer as its not when your gonna get it its what your gonna get and how nasty it will be
.. think of yourself first and if thats no good well think of your kids .. kids before cigs !! Ex smoker... struggle everyday but determined to stay away for my kids !! Gudluck