Running out of names for BF'ing articles with MJ use!
this link was posted by another member in another forum and was very helpful- http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/breastfeeding/breastfeeding08.htm
On the question of marijuana use and breastfeeding [Issue 36]: I hope the following references are helpful.
Francoise Railhet
Manager, LLL France Medical Associates Program
frailhet@magic.fr
Drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Briggs, Freeman and Yaffe. Ed Williams and Wilkins, 1990.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), the main active ingredient of
marijuana, is excreted into breastmilk. Analysis of THC and two
metabolites, 11-hydroxy-THC and 9-carboxy-THC, were conducted on the
milk of two women who had been nursing for 7 and 8 months,
respectively, and who smoked marijuana frequently (69). A THC
concentration of 105 ng/ml, but no metabolises, was found in the milk
of the woman smoking one pipe of marijuana daily. In the second woman,
who smoked seven pipes/day, concentrations of THC, 11-hydroxy-THC, and
9-carboxy-THC were 340 ng/ml, 4 ng/ml, and none, respectively. The
analysis was repeated in the second mother, approximately 1 hour after
the last use of marijuana, using simultaneously obtained samples of
milk and plasma. Concentrations (in ng/ml) of the active ingredient and
metabolites in milk and plasma (ratios shown in parenthesis) were 60.3
and 7.2 (8.4), 1.1 and 2.5 (0.4), and 1.6 and 19 (0.08), respectively.
The marked differences in THC found between the milk samples was
thought to be due to the amount of marijuana smoked and the interval
between smoking and sample collection. A total fecal sample from the
infant yielded levels of 347 ng of THC, 67 ng of 11-hydroxy-THC, and
611 ng of 9-carboxy-THC. Due to the large concentration of metabolites,
the authors interpreted this as evidence that the nursing infant was
absorbing and metabolizing the THC from the milk. In spite of the
evidence that the fat soluble THC was concentrated in breastmilk, both
nursing infants were developing normally.
In animals, THC decreases the amount of milk produced by suppressing
the production of prolactin and, possibly, by a direct action on the
mammary glands (42) While data on this effect are not available in
humans, maternal marijuana use does not seem grossly to affect the
nursing infant. In 27 infants evaluated at 1 year of age, who were
exposed to marijuana via the milk, compared to 35 nonexposed infants,
no significant differences were found in terms of age at weaning,
growth, and mental or motor development.
Although no adverse effects of marijuana exposure from breastmilk have
been reported, follow-up of these infants is inadequate At the present
time, the long term effects of this exposure are unknown and additional
research to determine these effects, if any, is warranted. The American
Academy of Pediatrics considers the use of marijuana during
breastfeeding to be contraindicated.
Breastfeeding and drug exposure. CR Howard and RA Lawrence. Obstetric Gynecol Clin of North America 1998; 25(1): 195-217.
Animal studies indicate that THC reduces prolactin levels. Data on this
effect, however, are not available in humans. Marihuana appears in
human milk as THC, which is poorly absorbed in this form; however; with
prolonged exposure, the compound may cause an infant to be lethargic
and to feed less frequently and for shorter periods of time. In infants
evaluated at 1 year of age, no differences were found in growth or
mental or motor development when infants exposed to marihuana in breast
milk were compared with non-exposed infants. Follow-up of these
infants, however, has been limited, and long-term effects of marihuana
exposure through breastmilk are unknown.
Maternal judgment may be impaired, and secondary behavioral changes may
interfere with a mother's ability to care for her infant or to
breastfeed adequately. As is true for cigarette smoking, passive
exposure to marihuana poses additional risks to the infant. The
American Academy of Pediatrics considers the use of marihuana during
breastfeeding to be contraindicated.
====
Dr. Thomas Hale (pediatrician and pharmacist) has been quoted as saying
the marijuana tends to be sequestered in peripheral compartments, that
THC does enter milk easily, but due to low concentration in the
maternal plasma, the absolute dose to the infant is low. If the mom
smokes occasionally, she should expect that only small levels will be
transferred to the infant, probably subclinical amounts, which is why
the studies show no developmental abnormalities. The infant will show a
positive drug screen, but it is not known for how long; probably
correlates with the maternal dose ingested.
There is difficulty with many studies as the mothers are using other
drugs along with marijuana. So one can not ascribe any negative effects
to any one particular drug.
A study described in Pediatrics 1994; 93:254-260, (Dreher MC, Nugent K
and Hudgins R) compared the babies of Rastafarian mothers (smoking up
to 5 joints a day) and non-smoking controls. Both groups of mothers
were breastfeeding. After one month, the babies of the heavily smoking
mothers scored better on the developmental testing done. The
speculation was that the Rastafarian mothers had better social
networking and support for being new mothers.
All this evidence goes against the mainstream belief that marijuana is bad.
-Nikki Lee RN, MSN
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 37, Sep 10, 1999)
To subscribe to the E-News write: enews@midwiferytoday.com
For all other matters contact Midwifery Today:
PO Box 2672-940, Eugene OR 97402
541-344-7438, midwifery@aol.com, Midwifery Today
That's what I was thinking..
Quoting livewell:
Great article...and I wonder...if the infant had those levels of THC in their stool, doesn't that mean that most of the THC passed through their system?
Study Report on Breastfeeding
- MaMaLaLa369
on May. 2, 2009 at 10:00 AM