How long should you wait to breastfeed after marijuana?

Understanding the Risks of Breastfeeding After Marijuana Use
The question of how long a breastfeeding mother should wait after using marijuana before nursing her infant is complex and fraught with health implications. As more states legalize cannabis, understanding its effects on breastfeeding becomes increasingly important for new mothers.
The Transfer of THC to Breast Milk
When a mother consumes marijuana, the active compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can pass into her breast milk. This transfer is concerning because breast milk is high in fat, which allows THC to accumulate. Research indicates that THC can remain in breast milk for an extended period, making it difficult to determine a safe window for breastfeeding after use.
Recommended Waiting Periods
Health experts generally recommend that mothers who use marijuana should wait at least 3 to 4 hours after smoking before breastfeeding. This guideline is similar to recommendations for alcohol consumption, aiming to minimize the amount of THC present in the milk during nursing. However, some sources suggest that waiting 1 to 2 days may be more prudent to significantly reduce THC levels in breast milk.
The Uncertainty of THC Levels
A study involving breastfeeding mothers who used cannabis found that even after abstaining for 12 hours, THC levels in breast milk could still be detectable. This indicates that the effects of marijuana on breast milk are not straightforward, and the duration of THC presence can vary based on individual metabolism and frequency of use.
Potential Risks to Infants
The primary concern with marijuana use during breastfeeding is the potential impact on an infant’s brain development. The CDC warns that using marijuana while breastfeeding may allow harmful chemicals to pass from mothers to infants, which could affect cognitive and motor development. Given the unknowns surrounding the long-term effects of THC exposure on infants, many health professionals advise against using marijuana while breastfeeding altogether.
Conclusion
In summary, while some guidelines suggest waiting a few hours after marijuana use before breastfeeding, the safest approach may be to abstain for a longer period, ideally 1 to 2 days, to minimize any potential risks to the infant. As research continues to evolve, mothers are encouraged to consult healthcare providers for personalized advice and to consider the implications of their choices on their child’s health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How long do drugs stay in a newborn?

Newborn urine reflects exposure during the preceding one to three days. Cocaine metabolites may be present for four to five days. Marijuana may be detected in newborn urine for weeks, depending on maternal usage. Alcohol is nearly impossible to detect in newborn urine.

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.

How long does it take for CBD to leave breast milk?

The duration of CBD’s presence in breast milk varies among individuals and depends on the dosage, frequency of use, and metabolism. Studies suggest that the half-life of CBD in breast milk is around 18 to 32 hours. This means that it may take several days for CBD to clear the system entirely.

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.

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