How long after using marijuana can you breastfeed?

Understanding the Risks of Marijuana Use While Breastfeeding
The question of how long after using marijuana a mother can safely breastfeed is complex and fraught with health implications for both the mother and the infant. Current medical guidance strongly advises against the use of marijuana during breastfeeding due to the potential transfer of harmful substances through breast milk.
Marijuana and Breast Milk: What We Know
Research indicates that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, can indeed pass into breast milk. This transfer can expose infants to THC, which may have unknown effects on their developing brains and bodies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that using marijuana while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to reach infants, raising significant health concerns.
Experts are clear: it is not safe to use marijuana during lactation. The consensus is that mothers should refrain from consuming cannabinoids until more definitive studies can clarify the long-term effects on breastfeeding infants. The lack of comprehensive research on the exact duration THC remains in breast milk further complicates the issue. While some studies suggest that THC can linger in breast milk for several days, the precise timeframe is still uncertain.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
Given the current understanding, healthcare professionals recommend that mothers who use marijuana should discontinue breastfeeding for an extended period after consumption. Although specific guidelines on the exact duration vary, the general advice is to wait at least 24 hours after using marijuana before breastfeeding. This recommendation is based on the need to minimize the potential exposure of THC to the infant.
However, it is crucial to note that there is no known safe amount or form of cannabis that can be used while breastfeeding. The potential risks associated with THC exposure in infants, including developmental issues and behavioral problems, underscore the importance of erring on the side of caution.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Infant Health
In summary, while the legal landscape surrounding marijuana use is evolving, the health of breastfeeding infants remains a priority. Mothers are strongly advised to avoid marijuana during lactation to prevent any potential risks to their babies. Until more research is conducted to establish safe practices, the best course of action is to abstain from marijuana use while breastfeeding.

How long should I wait to breastfeed after hitting a vape?

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.

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.

What drugs don’t go into breast milk?

Table. Examples of drugs contraindicated in breastfeeding.

Drug	Comment
Iodine	High doses (>150 micrograms daily) lead to risk of infant hypothyroidism
Lithium	Breastfeeding only feasible with rigorous monitoring
Radiopharmaceuticals	Contact obstetric information service
Retinoids (oral)	Potential for serious adverse effects

What passes through breast milk to a baby?

Foods and drinks to avoid while breastfeeding
Caffeine passes into breastmilk, so large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks are best avoided. Drinking small amounts of drinks with caffeine (3 or less drinks a day) should not be a problem. Alcohol also passes into breastmilk and can affect your baby.

Does breast milk have cannabinoids?

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.

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.

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 to wait after smoking to hold a baby?

They should change their outer clothes on return, wash their hands and rinse their mouth – traces of smoke can linger on clothing and then be released back into the atmosphere of the room they’re in for up to three hours after smoking. After smoking they should wait at least 25 minutes before handling a baby.

How long do drugs stay in your breast milk?

If you take cocaine while drinking alcohol, your body makes a substance called cocaethylene, which will stay in your body longer than cocaine does. Methamphetamine remains in human milk for up to 4 days after use. Prescribed Ritalin® (methylphenidate) remains in human milk for about 21 hours after use.

How long should I wait to breastfeed after smoking marijuana?

This leaves us, I think, with remaining questions and — in my mind — remaining reason for caution about use at all. But there is an important, concrete takeaway: If you do choose to consume cannabis while breastfeeding, waiting 5 to 10 hours after consumption to nurse is a very good idea.