Do marijauna affect breast milk?

Question

Okay...I haven't smoked any in a couple of years (for various reasons) but after I give birth to my daughter in July if I smoked any....would it affect my breast milk? Just need to know because I won't touch it if it will, I have no problem waiting another year.

And for anyone who wants to judge me....the way I see it, GOd put it here (even though I should probably cook with it because of the health concerns of smoke) but on rare occasion when we have a baby sitter for the kids and the rare moment to spend alone from our hetic (and very responsible lives) we sometimes enjoy sitting back smoking one on our back porch thank you very much.

Okay....most of you must not have much common sense or could not comprehend what I said above (except Momma K....you know where I'm coming from). If you will recall, that is why I am asking...because I WOULDN'T do it if it affected it. If I knew the answer I wouldn't ask now would I??

And for those of you who say this is irresponsible.....I'd rather smoke a joint on my back porch once in a blue moon when my kids are with their grandmother or something than go out drinking and partying like a lot of parents do. Seems to me we're more responsible....besides the fact of our full-time jobs, remodeling our home, I'm in college and own part of a pottery business.....but yeah and we have two other children (all at the age of 26)..yeah...I'm irresponsible huh? And FYI, the only reason it is illegal is because the government wouldn't make NEAR as much money on it if it was legal.

Answer 1

I understand what you are saying. There are tons of people out in this world that enjoy "smoking one" once in a while. If you feel like doing this, just bottle feed afterwards. I'm not sure how long it stays in your system but I don't see it being very harmful if you skip a feeding and feed with a bottle but be sure to pump before you feed the baby again.

You're right as well, it is a natural thing. Don't be ashamed. I've been there and done that myself. Good Luck!

Answer 2

ok well I smoked marijuana while breastfeeding both my kids. The midwives were fully aware of this and told me that if anything tobacco would cause more damage and that there was no medical evidence to prove it would harm the baby. My eldest daughter is now 7 with a reading age of 12 and is classed as academically gifted, my youngest daughter is now 3 and doing well at pre school. I agree with you that it is far less damaging than drinking alcohol, I think alot of people are very badly informed and will condemn cannabis as it is illegal and say all drugs are bad but are then quite happy to have a few glasses of wine...in my view that is hypocritical alcohol is after all a drug too and just because at some point someone decided it was 'safe' doesn't change that fact. I would actually disagree and say that alcohol is incredibly harmful. I would say make your own judgement as to what is best for you, and for your children, like I say it hasn't done my kids any harm.

Answer 3

yes, everything is excreted in breast milk we've established that just use formula.
Furthermore though mothers that are pregnant or breast feeding do take meds from doctors unrelated to pregnancy.
in fact there is very little that you can't take while pregnant or breast feeding. You could take most antidepressants most antibiotics really the only things that a doc would tell you not to take would be muscle relaxers pain killers sleep aids things of this nature mainly and especially alcohol no alcohol.
also if its a matter of money with the formula there are a lot of ways to get help with formula if you have a low income WIC
for formula baby food cereal cheese etc. food stamps churches etc. If it's an issue of thinking that breast feeding is better I disagree, breastfeeding would be better if you ate good homecooked healthy food not mcdonalds etc. formula has far more vitamins and things that every baby should have and then you won't have to worry bout your own mental well being you can use your medication to better your state of mind and your child will be happier because you are, and healthier because of the formula.

Answer 4

Ha! I don't think D M has ever read anything about breastfeeding! I would wait until baby is weaned before smoking pot. If you really want to smoke one, make sure someone else has the baby for several hours, and pump to relieve engorgement, and dump. You may find that after birth, you don't crave anything unhealthy anymore. As a coffee/chocolate/wine enthusiast, I found that I no longer wanted these things for months after my children were born. Breastfeeding hormones can do that for you. Good luck with your baby. Don't forget to put baby in the crib (not in your bed) after you've been smoking!

Answer 5

Yes it will effect the breast milk. What goes in you will also go into your breast milk and thus into your baby.

Think about your child first and not smoke anything while breast feeding. By breast feeding your baby you are given them a great start in life and a healthy one too, so don't ruin it by putting something foreign and bad into their young bodies.

Answer 6

Anything you consume affects your breastmilk. I wouldn't recommend doing drugs, smoking cigarettes or drinking alchohol if you plan on breast feeding. You should also make sure you're eating healthy, and avoid foods that are high in sugar and salt.

Answer 7

Anything you put in your mouth affects your breast milk. Period. You are only doping your baby by doing this. I breastfeed my four kids and I know that certain foods (onions, garlic, beer, etc) would cause them to reject the milk because they could taste it. Chocolate was a good thing to eat because it must have made the milk sweet or something. Don't smoke until you wean her. Please for her sake.

Answer 8

Anything that you consume will go into your breat milk and the baby will get it, so I wouldnt if I were you unless you want a high baby, which isnt good. Id wait until you werent breastfeeding anymore.

Answer 9

I agree if you like it then smoke way, but please, please do not do it if you are breastfeeding or anywhere near the kids because that would be a very wrong thing to do, and especailly if you care about your baby at all, but when you have a babysitter for the whole night do what you want.

Answer 10

im right with you..im guessing it would affect it. nothing wrong with what you are saying. i to would rather stay home and smoke rather than go out and drink risking way to many lives then.