Marijuana and breastfeeding

The main psychoactive ingredient in Marijuana, THC (tetrahydro-cannabinol), is fat-soluble and does enter breast milk and the baby - often, due to the size of the infant, in higher blood concentrations than the mother. However, there is no firm evidence that Marijuana or THC can stunt, impair or damage a baby or their growth. One report has stated that Marijuana's THC might delay infant motor development but we have been unable to track down and read the original study. Information on this subject is often tainted by the general assumption that "illegal drugs are bad for you" when in fact alcohol and Prozac (fluoxetine) have more worrying question marks over their effects during breastfeeding.

Nevertheless, it is probably best of avoid Marijuana and other legal and illegal drugs while breastfeeding. If for nothing else but piece of mind. If you have smoked Marijuana, the guilt of feeling that you may have harmed your baby can be a terrible thing.