Effects+on+Breast+feeding+and+marijuana+use

Many people wonder if breast feeding and smoking marijuana will have an effect on the baby ??

Although marijuana does not have a strong effect like other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, PCP etc, there are still factors that affect the infant while breastfeeding. The use of marijuana can reduce the amount of milk supply in the breasts and it can cause growth delays and sedation when a large amount is smoked. Marijuana can cause the production of breast milk to decrease by lowering levels of the horomone, prolactin, in the mother's body. Smoking marijuana can lead to signs of sedation, weakness and poor feeding patterns for the infant. This is very important because babies who are exposed to second hand smoke or marijuana in breast milk are at higher risk of developing SIDS or Cot Death. When the mother exposes the baby to marijuana through breast feeding the infant will test positive in a urine test for about two to three weeks until it leaves their system. With that in mind, the mother/user never truly knows what is in the marijuana because it could be laced with another drug which could definitely harm the baby’s physical and psychological growth and development.

Generally, marijuana use damages brain cells and genetic material, (DNA and RNA). The main ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is quickly entered into fatty tissues and the brain causing loss of brain cells. Mothers who use marijuana absorb and metabolize THC and it is risky for the infant because it is a critical time for major brain growth. Anything that the mother uses or absorbs will be transferred to the infant through breast feeding.

There has been several studies done to test if there is a relation to negative side effects in babies who are exposed to marijuana through breast milk. One study showed that infants who were exposed to marijuana at one month of age experienced delayed motor development at 12 months old. As you can see there are several crucial factors related to using marijuana while breastfeeding, however there is no concrete evidence that it will affect the baby in the long term of its life.

Smoking weed is very similar to smoking cigarettes in this case. The recommendation is that the mother must cut down slowly and of course never expose the baby to second-hand smoke. []