Is cannabidiol safe for breastfeeding mothers?

• Mother or child?
• What does science say about using CBD while breastfeeding?
• Is CBD completely prohibited? It also depends on the form

Mother or child?

Life after childbirth brings with it a whole range of changes, both mental and physical. According to experts, one in five women suffer from postpartum depression.

In addition, they often have to struggle with insomnia, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, emotional swings, and a tendency to inflammation and infection.

For mothers, it is not only the first months of life with their child that are very stressful. At the same time, however, it is often almost impossible for them to find suitable remedies that would bring them the relief they crave.

It is no wonder that they are looking to CBD as a substance with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant (anti-spasmodic), and antidepressant properties. But is the use of CBD during breastfeeding really safe for women and, above all, their children?

What does science say about using CBD while breastfeeding?

Some experts claim that CBD is harmless for children (even newborns) and that the primary concern should be the woman’s health. Cannabidiol (CBD) can have a positive effect on her mental health and even prevent problems related to a weakened immune system.

Other experts argue that CBD, as a holistic remedy, is a better option than antidepressants, which have many side effects and often require breastfeeding to be interrupted.

During the extremely demanding first few months, CBD can contribute to improving the relationship between mother and child, helping them to bond more easily and form a stronger bond, compared to antidepressants. This approach emphasizes the view that “if the mother is okay, so is the child.”

However, there are currently no studies confirming the safety of using CBD during breastfeeding or, conversely, providing evidence of its dangers.

On the other hand, there is evidence that thousands of years ago, cannabis was used during pregnancy and after childbirth, when women were fully breastfeeding. In most cases, it was used to provide relief during this difficult period.

Today, however, clear empirical evidence is required to approve the use of CBD during breastfeeding. This has not yet happened. It is difficult to test infants and “measure” the short- and long-term effects of cannabidiol on them.

The only known research has primarily focused on THC and its presence in breast milk. It concluded that low levels of the psychoactive substance can be passed on to the baby during breastfeeding.

A study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology examined breast milk samples from eight anonymous mothers who regularly used cannabis.

It found that fully breastfed infants aged 3 to 5 months received an estimated 2.5% of the THC dose consumed by their mothers through breast milk. However, the researchers did not take blood samples from the infants to determine whether they had measurable amounts of THC in their bodies.

An article on marijuana use during breastfeeding in Medical News Today states that the solution in such cases is not to pump and discard breast milk after consuming THC, as cannabis chemicals can remain in breast milk for several days or even weeks after women consume THC.

This is supported by research published in the journal Pediatrics, which found that low levels of THC can be present in breast milk for up to six days after smoking cannabis or consuming it in food.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) contamination poses the greatest risk. Its use during pregnancy is taboo due to the higher likelihood of premature birth and possible brain damage to the child (this also applies to breastfeeding).

CBD should not cause such complications, but experts are concerned about the effects of any cannabinoid on a child’s development due to the lack of relevant research data and therefore do not recommend the use of CBD.

Alcohol (such as a small amount of wine) is eliminated from the body relatively quickly and may not be a problem for the child. It is sufficient to express breast milk in advance or replace one feeding with a vegetable supplement.

Cannabinoids, however, work differently and can bind to fats. Breast milk is viscous and contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, so cannabidiol can theoretically remain in it for several days, similar to THC.

Is CBD completely prohibited? It also depends on the form

Until science has gathered sufficient evidence that CBD is harmless to the health of newborns and infants, the use of CBD cannot be recommended for breastfeeding mothers.

CBD drops or capsules (and other internally used products) are therefore out of the question during breastfeeding.

However, topical preparations are a different matter. They are absorbed more slowly and are only used for local surface care. This means that CBD and other active ingredients do not penetrate the lower layers of the skin (below the epidermis), so they cannot enter the bloodstream.

Such products cannot contaminate breast milk. CBD in skin care creams, ointments for caesarean section scars or for softening stretch marks and veins, or in gels for relaxing sore muscles, does not harm infants in any way and cannot harm them.

Only when treating sore nipples should you ensure that your baby does not come into contact with any residue from the product when latching on.

Author: Elena Moreau

Photo: AI

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