Deciphering the science of breastfeeding can be utterly intimidating, especially when attempting to navigate vaping and feeding! This scheduling method is a fantastic way to take a challenging issue (that frequently comes with a hefty side of mom-guilt!), and turn it into a clear, manageable routine! (Just wait till you find out about nicotine’s “two clocks”—it makes arranging your day so much easier!)
This one requires a bit of mental maths but if you follow these easy instructions you’ll be ready to go! Below are my PRO TIPS for navigating real life infant schedules!
Timeline: The “Two Clocks” Mystery
Nicotine itself moves quick! Milk levels commonly are highest around 30 min after a hit, then fall by half around 90 min to 2 hours and can be nearly undetectable at near 3 hours. But there’s a catch: its by-product (cotinine) sticks around for days. Hitting micro all day long? Now these compounds are going to pile up! (Two hours of waiting will bring the peak down properly, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re at zero just because you wait!)
Blood vs. Milk Levels
Important fact: Nicotine actually concentrates in your milk! Milk levels can be over 3 times greater than blood levels. So the typical “I feel fine” is seldom a good prediction of what is going into the next feed! (Even second-hand indoor smoking is a tricky ingredient here, so keep the air around baby incredibly fresh!)
The Perfect Feeding Schedule (Minimal Stress Necessary!) :
The timetable that works with the chemistry is actually super easy: Nurse or pump first, airmaxvape then go ahead and take your vape break and stretch that following meal out to 2 or 3 hours if your kid will allow it! What if they grow hungry at 2 hours in? But still, feeding your sobbing infant beats “dumping” the bottle to seek a flawless clock!
Understanding awkward cluster feeds:
Let’s be honest for a moment! Cluster feeding really messes with the two hour strategy. The pocketable device typically becomes little micro-hits all day long, which means the peak never really drops. “Diluting” pumped milk by mixing it into a pitcher seems wonderful on paper, but it’s not clearance. Remember, timing is harm reduction, not a complete green light!
What You Should Look For In Your Little One:
Nicotine is a stimulant thus feeding right on a ‘peak’ can result in a fussy/gassy/jittery baby with broken sleep. (Every baby is different and no drama doesn’t imply the milk was empty!) If you see baby’s mood or sleep swinging, don’t be afraid to lengthen the interval or lower your dose!
PRO TIPS for Real World:
The Golden Rule: VAPE AFTER YOU EAT!
Should You Dump or Not? Pumping and dumping is not going to miraculously clear nicotine out of your circulation. It mainly just wastes perfectly fine milk supply, while your body naturally processes the components on its own time.
The Ultimate Goal The best thing you can do for your health and your baby is to quit or cut back as severely as you can! “The clock is a great tool to help reduce harm but it’s not a replacement for stopping.”
Keep Communication Open Tell your paediatrician what you use and when. They are there to help, not judge! You can do it mother!