Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound derived from the cannabis plant, known for its proposed therapeutic benefits without producing the “high” associated with marijuana. Given its increasing availability, many nursing mothers question its safety while breastfeeding. The safety of using CBD products for both mother and infant remains largely unstudied, leading medical professionals to approach the topic with extreme caution.
How Cannabinoids Enter Breast Milk
Cannabinoids like CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enter a mother’s bloodstream after consumption and pass into breast milk. They are highly lipophilic, meaning they are fat-soluble compounds that readily dissolve in fatty tissues. Breast milk contains a high percentage of fat, which allows these compounds to easily cross from the mother’s plasma into the milk ducts.
This fat-soluble nature leads to the accumulation and concentration of cannabinoids within the milk fat. The levels of CBD and THC in breast milk can be significantly higher than the levels found in the mother’s blood plasma. Because cannabinoids are stored in the body’s fat reserves, they are released slowly over time, prolonging a nursing infant’s exposure, meaning detectable amounts can persist for several days or weeks depending on frequency of use.
The Critical Difference: CBD vs. THC
The distinction between CBD and THC is important, but it is complicated by the unregulated nature of many CBD products. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, and it represents the most significant risk to a nursing infant. THC is known to cross the blood-brain barrier in the infant, where it can interfere with developmental processes.
A major concern is that many products marketed as pure CBD or “THC-free” are often contaminated. Unregulated manufacturing processes can lead to trace, or sometimes substantial, amounts of THC being present in the final product. This contamination means a mother intending to use only non-intoxicating CBD may unknowingly expose her infant to the psychoactive compound. Additionally, these unregulated products may contain other harmful contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, or fungi, which can also pass into breast milk.
Current Scientific Gaps and Potential Infant Risks
The most significant barrier to determining safety is the lack of comprehensive, long-term human studies focused specifically on CBD exposure through breast milk. The limited research available on cannabinoids during lactation often combines CBD and THC exposure, making it difficult to isolate the effects of CBD alone. The endocannabinoid system, which cannabinoids interact with, plays a profound part in early brain development, including neuron formation and migration.
Introducing external cannabinoids during this period of rapid brain growth raises concerns about potential neurodevelopmental disruption. Studies that have examined infants exposed to cannabis through breast milk have shown mixed results, but some suggest a slight, dose-dependent reduction in motor development. Other potential risks for the nursing infant include increased sedation, decreased muscle tone, and poor feeding habits, which can affect growth and weight gain.
The long-term consequences of exposure are particularly unknown. The infant’s immature liver and kidneys are less efficient at processing and eliminating these compounds than an adult’s, leading to prolonged exposure within the baby’s system. This extended half-life raises the possibility of subtle, cumulative effects on cognitive function and behavioral patterns that may not be apparent until later childhood.
Official Guidance and Medical Consensus
Major health organizations have issued clear warnings regarding the use of cannabinoids while breastfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises breastfeeding mothers to avoid using any marijuana or marijuana-containing products, including those with CBD or THC. This recommendation is based on the insufficient data to establish safety and the potential for harm to the developing infant.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against the use of CBD, THC, and marijuana in any form during lactation. The agency points out the unknown amount of transfer into breast milk and the potential for contamination in non-FDA-approved products. Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages the use of marijuana during breastfeeding due to the uncertainty regarding the effects on the nursing infant. The medical consensus is a unified call for avoidance, emphasizing that the potential risks to the infant’s neurological development outweigh any perceived benefit for the mother.