Do you think smoking weed while breastfeeding okay?

Question

I was explaining to my boyfriend the concept of “ pump ">pumping and dumping” so mothers don’t feed pump ">breast milk contaminated with alcohol to their baby. It’s well known that alcohol and smoking cigarettes can negatively affect the baby, but he brought up the question if traces of THC can be found in pump ">breastmilk and if it can be passed on to baby. There don’t seem to be any official studies on the effects of smoking weed and pump ">breastfeeding , the only thing I found is that THC can be found in a baby’s urine if the mom smoked while pregnant/ pump ">breastfeeding , but nothing on how that affects babies. Follow up questions: -do you judge moms who do breastfeed and smoke weed? -is your opinion different when it comes to smoking weed while pregnant? -do you think smoking weed in general affects how good of a mom someone can be?

Accepted Answer

I've read in several studies that marijuana stays in breastmilk for 4-6 WEEKS. Unless you're really dedicated, that much pumping and dumping will kill your supply because throwing away that much milk will be heartbreaking. If anyone breastfeeds after smoking marijuana I hope CPS is called because that baby will test positive for months and needs to be taken away. I consider this to be abuse and unacceptable. I don't care if it's considered a "safe" drug, no way in hell it's safe for a damn baby.
There isn't enough information or studies during pregnancy, and it's almost impossible since human studies are unethical. I think there are other safe options to consider that have been tested before resorting to exposing the baby to untested options. But I have heard marijuana is the only thing that works for nausea for some women. I think I'd just bear it and be miserable over smoking, but if your doctor okays it sure..... I'd probably get a different doctor.
If the mother isn't pregnant or isn't breastfeeding, whatever, smoke away as long as there's still a sober person watching your children. Just be responsible about it and I don't think it would make someone a bad parent.
Side note on alcohol, you don't always have to pump and dump. Feed baby or pump before drinking to empty your breasts, then drink away, once you are sober your milk is just fine for baby. It's been studied and tested and leaves your milk like it leaves your blood. Unless you become engorged or uncomfortable while still drinking, then dump it. But since bring sober so long while pregnant, a glass of wine has been knocking me on my butt!

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I am not against marijuana but I am against smoking while pregnant or breastfeeding.

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I do judge to be honest because as a mother you need to put your baby first. If smoking comes first to you, don’t breastfeed. In terms of smoking affecting your ability to be a good parent: I think just like every other substance you should withhold when you’re around your kids. No one should be high or drunk around your kids. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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There are definitely legitimate studies on this. You'll have to search around more.

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I don't judge necessarily but I don't think it's a great idea either. If you're unsure how its affecting your milk, just don't do it. breastfeeding is for a relatively small period of time in the grand scheme of things. I fed my daughter for 14 months but towards the end it was like once a week, I could have planned around it by that point if I was desperate for something. I did plan around it so that I could drink alcohol! I wouldn't smoke weed regardless of feeding method whilst the baby is still 0-4months because of SIDS risks. I do think it can affect your parenting skills because its a drug at the end of the day, in the same way alcohol does. That isnt to say smoke weed=bad parent in the same way glass of wine doesnt = bad parent, but if you are doing it often enough or in enough quanitity that it is affecting your rationale, then yes it is affecting your parenting skills. I know if I've had 4 glasses of wine I am in no fit state to be  resposible for the safety of my children,  but after 1 or 2 I'm fine. Know your limits (breastfeeding aside)

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NO

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I don’t judge because what someone does isn’t my business dude. I smoked before i got pregnant. I’ll probably smoke weed again after my baby is born and after I breastfeed. From what I understand, breast milk is a source of fat for the baby to get. When you smoke weed it’s in your system so long because it stays in your fat. So I think it’s in the milk a long time. Not to mention it will dry up your milk supply. Ever notice how when you smoke your eyes and mouth get dry? I guess it will do that to your milk too. I wouldn’t pick up smoking again until after you breastfeed.

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I don’t judge and don’t have a problem with weed personally.

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This is a really on the fence thing for me. I do not believe that babies should be exposed to that unless medically necessary for the babies health. When I say this I do am referring to mothers who smoke for medical purposes when nothing else works during pregnancy (nausea), and there are people (where it's legal) who have their children on CBD oil regimine to help with things such as seizures. I do not think that mothers smoking weed while breast feeding fall into this category because, even though there are going to be "breast is best" warriors appear to argue, formula is an option. I am not going to JUDGE a mother based on her decisions with her child. I do not think that smoking weed makes you a bad parent or inhibits you to parent your child. BUT even with certain medications breastfeeding is not recommended because it will pass to the baby.

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It definitely depends on the reason they're smoking or ingesting it. If it is for severe nausea, and medication doesn't work, then yes they need to do what they can because the alternative of not eating or drinking water is extremely dangerous and causes malnutrition and dehydration. Although they do have 1% THC and CBD with no THC so you don't get "high" from it. If they're just doing it for fun all day every day I would be concerned that the baby isn't negatively affected somehow, although the study on pregnancy (in Jamaica of marijuana alone, not taken in conjunction with cigarettes or other drugs) didn't really show long term negatives. Better to be safe than sorry. Smoking does deprive you and your baby of oxygen. 
breastfeeding... your nausea is over even if you had hyperemesis, so if it would be for fun, I'd say do it very sparingly or not at all. I wouldn't because the baby gets everything from your breastmilk. Keep their systems as pure as possible. If you need it for psychiatric help or chronic pain and have discussed dosage with a doctor that works for your particular problem then continue as instructed by a medical professional.