Breastfeeding and Marijuana: What an IBCLC Actually Tells Her Patients
By Jennifer Chivas, RN BSN IBCLC — Lactation Loop
As marijuana becomes legal in more states and its use becomes more socially accepted, more breastfeeding moms are asking the question: is it safe to use cannabis while breastfeeding?
I want to answer this honestly — the way I would with any patient sitting across from me. And the honest answer is different from the alcohol conversation. With alcohol, the research is fairly clear that occasional, moderate use is low risk when timed appropriately. With marijuana, the situation is more complicated, the research is more limited, and the guidance from major medical organizations is more cautious.
This isn’t a judgment. Many moms use cannabis for legitimate reasons — pain, anxiety, PTSD, sleep, nausea. This is a conversation about what we know, what we don’t know, and how to make the most informed decision possible for your family.
How Marijuana Gets Into Breast Milk
The active compound in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike alcohol, which clears from breast milk at the same rate it clears from your blood, THC behaves very differently — and this is the critical difference.
THC is fat-soluble, which means it binds to fat cells and accumulates in fatty tissues over time. Breast milk is high in fat — which means THC concentrates in breast milk at levels 8 times higher than in maternal blood plasma.
More importantly, THC does not clear quickly. Studies have detected THC in breast milk for up to 6 days after a single use — and for chronic users, THC can remain detectable in breast milk for weeks after stopping use. This is fundamentally different from alcohol, where timing strategies can meaningfully reduce infant exposure. With THC, there is no reliable “wait and it’s gone” window.
What the Research Shows
The honest truth is that the research on marijuana and breastfeeding is limited — and what does exist raises enough concern that major medical organizations have not been able to say it’s safe.
What we know:
• THC concentrates in breast milk at significantly higher levels than in maternal blood
• THC can remain in breast milk for days to weeks depending on frequency of use
• Some studies have shown that babies exposed to THC through breast milk may show increased drowsiness and lethargy, which can lead to reduced feeding frequency and poor weight gain
• Animal studies suggest THC may inhibit prolactin — the hormone responsible for milk production — which could negatively impact milk supply
• THC crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the developing brain, where the endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in brain development
• Some studies have found associations between prenatal and postnatal cannabis exposure and later executive function deficits, including attention and impulse control — though the research is not conclusive
What we don’t know:
• The long-term effects of THC exposure through breast milk on infant brain development are not well established
• Modern cannabis products are significantly more potent than those studied in older research — making it difficult to apply older findings to current use
• The impact of different delivery methods (smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, topicals) on breast milk THC levels has not been thoroughly studied
• There is no established “safe” level of THC exposure for a breastfeeding infant
What Major Medical Organizations Say
The CDC, AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), WHO, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine all recommend avoiding marijuana use while breastfeeding. Their position is based on the lack of evidence for safety rather than definitive proof of harm — but the precautionary principle applies here given what’s at stake with infant brain development.
The AAP states: “Because of the potential for neurodevelopmental effects, marijuana use is discouraged in breastfeeding mothers.”
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine notes that while the evidence is limited, the theoretical risks are significant enough to recommend against use — particularly for frequent or heavy users.
Does It Matter How You Use It?
Moms often ask whether edibles, topicals, or CBD-only products are safer than smoking. Here’s what we know:
Smoking and vaping:
Both expose your baby to the additional risks of secondhand smoke and combustion byproducts in addition to THC transfer through milk. Smoking also carries its own risks to your respiratory health and milk supply.
Edibles:
Edibles produce a longer-lasting and sometimes more intense effect than smoking, and THC still enters the bloodstream and concentrates in breast milk. Edibles are not a “safer” option for the breastfeeding infant.
Topicals:
Topical cannabis products (creams, lotions, balms) applied to the skin are generally considered to have minimal systemic absorption and are thought to be the lowest-risk option. However, research is limited and topicals containing THC should still be used cautiously.
CBD-only products:
CBD (cannabidiol) products without THC are increasingly popular for anxiety, pain, and sleep. The FDA has not approved CBD as safe for use during breastfeeding, and the research on CBD transfer into breast milk is extremely limited. CBD products are also poorly regulated and may contain undisclosed THC. Use with caution and discuss with your provider.
The Honest Conversation About Why Moms Use Cannabis
Many of the moms I talk to who are using cannabis while breastfeeding are doing so for legitimate reasons — postpartum anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, sleep deprivation, or because they used cannabis before pregnancy and find it more effective than other options. These are real concerns that deserve real conversations, not judgment.
If you are using cannabis to manage a health condition, the most important thing you can do is have an honest conversation with your OB, midwife, or a mental health provider about alternatives. There are evidence-based treatments for postpartum anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep that are well-studied in breastfeeding mothers. You deserve access to those options.
If you are using cannabis recreationally and want to continue breastfeeding, the safest approach is to stop using cannabis for the duration of breastfeeding. If that’s not possible or realistic for you, having an honest, non-judgmental conversation with your IBCLC and provider about your specific situation is the right next step.
If You Choose to Use Cannabis While Breastfeeding
If you are going to use cannabis and continue breastfeeding, here is the harm reduction information that is most relevant — understanding that there is no approach that eliminates risk:
• Use as infrequently and at as low a dose as possible
• Avoid smoking or vaping — use edibles or tinctures if you use at all, to avoid secondhand smoke exposure for your baby
• Do not use cannabis and then bedshare with your baby — impaired judgment and altered responsiveness increase the risk of infant injury
• Do not use cannabis when you are the sole caregiver for your baby
• Understand that pumping and dumping does not effectively remove THC from breast milk the way it might be imagined to — THC is stored in fat and does not clear on a predictable timeline
• Be honest with your pediatrician about your use so they can monitor your baby’s development appropriately
• Consider whether the reason you’re using cannabis is something that could be addressed through other evidence-based treatments
What About Secondhand Smoke?
Even if a breastfeeding mother is not using cannabis herself, exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke is a concern for infants. Babies should never be in an environment where cannabis is being smoked. THC can be absorbed through secondhand smoke and babies’ lungs are particularly vulnerable to smoke exposure of any kind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use marijuana while breastfeeding?
Major medical organizations including the CDC, AAP, and WHO recommend against using marijuana while breastfeeding due to THC’s ability to concentrate in breast milk and the potential for neurodevelopmental effects in infants. The research is limited but the theoretical risks are significant enough that precaution is recommended.
How long does THC stay in breast milk?
THC can remain detectable in breast milk for up to 6 days after a single use and for weeks after stopping use in chronic users. Unlike alcohol, which clears from milk predictably, THC accumulates in fat and does not have a reliable clearance timeline.
Does pumping and dumping remove THC from breast milk?
No — not effectively. Because THC is fat-soluble and stored in body fat, it continues to be released into milk over time. Pumping and dumping removes milk that currently contains THC, but does not speed up the rate at which THC clears from your system.
Is CBD safe while breastfeeding?
The FDA has not approved CBD as safe for use during breastfeeding. Research on CBD transfer into breast milk is extremely limited, CBD products are poorly regulated and may contain undisclosed THC, and the long-term effects on infant development are unknown. Discuss with your provider before using any CBD product while breastfeeding.
Is vaping marijuana safer than smoking while breastfeeding?
Vaping eliminates some of the combustion byproducts of smoking, but THC still enters the bloodstream and concentrates in breast milk regardless of delivery method. Neither smoking nor vaping is considered safe while breastfeeding.
What if I used marijuana before I knew I was pregnant or before my milk came in?
If you used cannabis before knowing you were pregnant or in the early postpartum period before your milk came in, discuss this with your OB or midwife. Decisions about continuing breastfeeding versus formula feeding in this context are individualized and depend on frequency of use, how recently you used, and other factors.
I use cannabis for postpartum anxiety — what are my alternatives?
Postpartum anxiety is very real and very treatable. Evidence-based options that are well-studied in breastfeeding mothers include therapy (particularly CBT), certain SSRIs, and other approaches. Talk to your OB, midwife, or a perinatal mental health provider — you deserve effective treatment that doesn’t require weighing risks to your baby.
Will marijuana affect my milk supply?
Animal studies suggest THC may inhibit prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, which could reduce milk supply with regular use. Some observational studies have also found associations between cannabis use and shorter breastfeeding duration. More research is needed, but this is a legitimate concern worth discussing with your IBCLC.
Book an Appointment with a Lactation Loop IBCLC
If you have questions about cannabis use, medications, or anything else that might affect your breastfeeding journey — our board-certified IBCLCs offer honest, evidence-based, non-judgmental guidance. We’re here to help you make the most informed decision for your family, whatever that looks like.
We offer in-home, in-office, and virtual visits across Florida, Michigan, Texas, New York, North Carolina, and Indiana. Most major insurance plans accepted including Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Anthem, UMR, Meritain, Wildflower, Lactation Network, and Curative.
Book an appointment: lactationloop.com/services
Call us: 941-254-2502
Related reading & references:
Breastfeeding and Alcohol: What an IBCLC Actually Tells Her Patients — lactationloop.com/blog/breastfeeding-and-alcohol-what-an-ibclc-wants-you-to-know
How to Increase Milk Supply: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t) — lactationloop.com/blog/how-to-increase-milk-supply-what-actually-works-and-what-doesnt
LactMed — Cannabis entry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501587/
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol on Cannabis