Marijuana, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the natural and preferred way to feed your baby, providing many benefits to both mother and child. Breast milk contains the right amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, and breastfeeding also helps with bonding. However, marijuana exposure while breastfeeding is not recommended.
Using marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may interfere with your baby’s brain development because their brains grow so quickly during this time. Potential long-term health effects for babies exposed to marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding include decreased growth and IQ scores, as well as problems with mental function, academic ability, and attention.
No matter how you use marijuana—whether by smoking, vaping, or eating—the drug enters your bloodstream and is passed on to your baby. Marijuana smoke also contains more than 150 chemical compounds, many of which are the same as those in tobacco smoke. Once in your blood, these chemicals can be passed to your unborn or breastfeeding baby.
It’s not recommended to use marijuana to treat morning sickness or nausea. Your healthcare provider can give you medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy.
According to a 1982 study, THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) is excreted into human breast milk in moderate amounts. The study found that an infant could ingest 0.8% of the weight-adjusted maternal intake from one feeding. Babies exposed to marijuana through breast milk may show signs of sedation, reduced muscle tone, and poor sucking, which could make nursing difficult.
Recommendations & Safety
To protect your baby, you should avoid using marijuana while you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need help quitting, please talk to your healthcare provider.
Additionally, it’s important to take these safety precautions:
- Never allow anyone to smoke marijuana near your children.
- Never allow anyone who is under the influence of marijuana to take care of your children.
- If you have marijuana in your home, make sure it is stored in a locked area and out of reach of children.
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