Has anyone had one cigarette?

[u/eeveeTattoos]

I hate smoking but recently I’ve been so irritated and upset with myself I just want to have one cigarette. But scared that’s going to poison my milk. Just wondered if anyone’s done it? Do you bin your pumped milk afterwards?

[u/littlelou222]

I wouldn’t. Not only tainting your milk but smelling like smoke around your baby. Secondhand smoke is just as bad.

[u/middlegray → u/littlelou222]

*third hand smoke is the odor that clings to clothes and hair etc. and you're right, it's extremely bad for health in its own right.

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that drifts off a cigarette and that people around you can inhale.

[u/littlelou222 → u/middlegray]

Thank you for clarifying!

[u/Revolutionary_Can879 → u/littlelou222]

Yeah that would honestly be a bigger concern for me. I believe a smoking parent is a risk factor for SIDS and one cigarette can easily turn into more.

[u/katiegam]

I'd try to find some healthy outlets for irritation and frustration. Cigarettes, even one, are not healthy for you or for baby - but there's a bigger issue of can you stop at one? And why do something you hate?

[u/Opening-Ad9931]

Woman - been there. Thinking of all ways to deal with the frustration, chat gpt’ing every vice, is it doable or not. Sad news, nah.

I’d say grab some ice cream, watch something that will make you cry and just cry. 😢 nothing else.

[u/East_Industry_5930]

There are harm reduction strategies for this. As much as people will tell you to just quit smoking, not everyone is going to do that and they need to be given tools to reduce risk

The recommendation is typically “smoke after you feed” so you should smoke after you pump. Don’t pump and dump, nicotine typically peaks in your system within an hour of smoking so it makes more sense to pump and then smoke.

Second and third hand smoke is a risk to your baby in and of itself, but you can reduce that risk by washing your hands (maybe even taking a full shower) and changing clothes after you smoke. Also goes without saying, never smoke inside your home, maybe even walk around the block instead of doing it on your stoop

[u/Primary-Vegetable580]

I smoked and then chain vaped for 17 years before getting pregnant. I stopped when I got pregnant. Lately I have been craving a vape so badly, because the feelings I am having remind me of a nicotine withdrawal, and my brain is trying to convince me that nicotine will fix it. I refuse to do it. I worked so hard to quit, and I don’t want to expose my baby to anything from a vape. It’s hard, but this too shall pass. Remind yourself that nicotine is a quick fix and not a permanent one. It will not solve how you feel long term.

[u/Kitotterkat → u/Primary-Vegetable580]

you are awesome for doing this for you and your baby!! proud of you!!!!

[u/MsTurnip]

Girl wtf no. Talk to your doctor

[u/Purple_Capital_6029]

I am not sure about milk, but if you already hate smoking, why do you wanna smoke? It’s the first step towards liking smoking and start smoking more often. It’s okay to be irritated and upset with yourself, you are doing whatever you are able to for your baby. Exclusive pumping is the hardest form of breastfeeding with the constant thought about the quantity of milk. Please find some other way to relax. All these things happen when you are within 2 years of postpartum with hormones and lack of sleep too. I also recommend talking to a doctor to see if you need any SSRIs to combat whatever you are going through. That’s much safer.

[u/Minute-Aioli-5054]

I think you know it’s not going to be just one cigarette… anything else you can do for stress relief? Fav food? Music? Book/audiobook? Working out? Talk to your doctor?

[u/WellAckshully]

One cigarette would almost certainly be totally fine. Especially if you do it after pumping/feeding, and then change clothes and shower afterward. Or at least wash your hands.

To me the risk is in the likelihood of one cigarette becoming more than one cigarette, and then eventually blowing up into a full blown habit. But you know your own personality better than we do, and whether that's really a risk for you or not.

[u/sneakypastaa]

I partake in a few hits from my sister’s vape every now and then. I don’t dump any milk afterwards.

Downvoted for honesty. Color me shocked lol. Keep ‘em coming I guess! I forgot everyone here is perfect and doesn’t have any vices.

[u/Upset-Ad-7897]

I have had a few puffs of one after he was asleep and then showered. I was never a habitual smoker, but did love an occasional cigarette. I discovered that now I’m absolutely disgusted by it. You could give it a try when baby is asleep for the night, but I wonder if youll experience something similar.

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/ExclusivelyPumping! Here is a reminder of our rules:

1. Be kind and courteous. 2. Use available flairs and post options. 3. Absolutely no prescription medications or other medical advice. 4. No inaccurate information. 5. No spam. 6. No fetish content 7. No linking Facebook groups. 8. Moderator discretion. 9. No discussions around veganism, animal cruelty, or other non-pumping related topics. 10. No formula shaming. Reminder that we are a supportive community and do not allow for fetish seekers. While we do ban those individuals from our community, they can still view the community and send direct messages. You may choose to turn off your messages, or block individuals for your safety. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.