Can you breastfeed with marijuana in system?

The Risks of Breastfeeding with Marijuana in the System
As the conversation around marijuana use continues to evolve, particularly with its legalization in many states, questions about its safety during breastfeeding have become increasingly pertinent. The consensus among health professionals is clear: breastfeeding while marijuana is in the system poses significant risks to infants.
Understanding THC and Its Effects
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, is known to pass into breast milk. Studies indicate that when a lactating mother consumes marijuana, THC circulates through her bloodstream and subsequently enters her breast milk, potentially exposing the infant to harmful chemicals. This exposure can lead to a range of developmental issues for the child, including long-term neurological problems, such as developmental delays and impaired motor skills.
Health Recommendations
Leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), strongly advise against marijuana use during breastfeeding. Their clinical reports emphasize that mothers should refrain from consuming cannabinoids to protect their infants from potential harm. The risks associated with marijuana use extend beyond immediate effects; they may also impact the infant’s growth and sucking reflex, which are crucial for successful breastfeeding.
Lack of Long-Term Studies
While there is a growing body of research on the effects of marijuana during pregnancy, the long-term consequences of exposure through breast milk remain largely unstudied. This gap in research underscores the uncertainty and potential dangers of marijuana use while breastfeeding. Given the lack of definitive studies, health professionals err on the side of caution, recommending that mothers avoid marijuana altogether during this critical period.
Conclusion
In summary, the prevailing medical advice is clear: mothers should not breastfeed while marijuana is in their system. The potential risks to the infant’s health and development are significant, and the absence of comprehensive long-term studies only reinforces the need for caution. As societal norms around marijuana use continue to shift, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to prioritize their child’s health and well-being by abstaining from marijuana consumption.

How long after smoking can I breastfeed again?

About 90 minutes after smoking, the level of nicotine in the mother’s blood and milk decreases by about half. Your baby will probably want to nurse frequently in the early weeks, so you may not always be able to wait that long between smoking and the next feeding.

Can you test breastmilk for drugs?

Many drugs ingested by lactating women are detectable in milk. The short- and long-term health effects of infant exposure to drugs via milk remain a subject of active research and are subject to evolving clinical guidance.

How long after using marijuana can you breastfeed?

Similar to alcohol, it is recommended that if a mother does occasionally use inhaled cannabis, she should wait three to four hours after use before breastfeeding to reduce how much THC is in her milk. Cannabis smoke, like tobacco smoke, is also unhealthy for babies (and all people) to be around.

Can smoke pass through breast milk?

Using tobacco or electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to pass from the mother to the infant through breast milk or secondhand smoke exposure. Mothers who use tobacco or e-cigarettes should be encouraged to quit.

Are cannabinoids in breast milk?

The cannabinoids THC and CBD are present and accumulate in breast milk after maternal cannabis use, whether by inhalation or edible ingestion. They appear rapidly after exposure and may remain present for at least 1–2 days.

Should I still breastfeed if I vape?

E-cigarettes, vaping and breastfeeding
New mums are advised to use licensed NRT products for help with quitting smoking and staying smokefree. However, if you do choose to use an e-cigarette to help you stay smokefree, it’s still better to carry on breastfeeding as the benefits will outweigh any potential harm.

What can you not do while breastfeeding?

What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid while breastfeeding?

• Alcohol. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby.
• Caffeine. Avoid drinking more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day.
• Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

How long after smoking a vape can I breastfeed?

Limit your baby’s exposure
Nurse your baby before you smoke or vape, not after. This way your body will have more time to reduce the level of nicotine in your breastmilk. It takes about 1.5 hours after smoking for the nicotine level in your breastmilk to drop by 50%. Don’t smoke when you breastfeed or hold your baby.

Can you drug test breast milk?

Substances stay in maternal urine and breastmilk for different lengths of time, assays vary, medications can cross-react, use of reflex confirmatory tests may be inconsistent, false-positives and -negatives can occur, and there may be an arbitrary potentially biased focus on certain drugs and which mothers to test.

Do cannabinoids cross the placenta?

Cannabis is the second-most common psychoactive substance (after alcohol) used during pregnancy. Elements of cannabis can pass through the placenta and affect the fetus’s development.