A father’s cannabis use can affect a baby from pre-conception through early development. This article explores current scientific understanding, focusing on impacts on reproductive health, environmental exposure, and parental involvement, all of which can influence a child’s well-being.
Impact on Reproductive Health
A father’s cannabis use before conception can influence male fertility and genetic information passed to offspring. Studies indicate that cannabis, particularly its main psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may negatively affect sperm quality, including reduced count, motility, and altered morphology. While some human studies show conflicting results regarding sperm concentration, heavier use may lead to impairments.
Cannabis consumption may also lead to epigenetic changes in sperm. Epigenetics involves modifications to gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence, such as DNA methylation and changes to non-coding RNA. Research in human and animal models suggests paternal cannabis exposure can lead to widespread changes in sperm DNA methylation, affecting genes involved in neurodevelopment and cardiogenesis. These alterations in the sperm epigenome can be transmitted to offspring, influencing their health. Animal studies show paternal THC exposure can result in brain developmental abnormalities and behavioral issues in offspring.
Environmental Exposure Risks
A baby’s exposure to secondhand and thirdhand cannabis smoke is a significant concern. Secondhand smoke, from exhaled smoke or burning products, contains many toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke, sometimes in higher amounts. Exposure can occur during pregnancy if the pregnant partner is exposed, or after birth if the infant is in a smoking environment. Even if parents smoke outside, children can still be exposed.
Secondhand cannabis smoke exposure in infants and children links to several health issues. It increases the risk of acute respiratory infections, like bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections. It also leads to more frequent and severe asthma attacks. For infants, secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), or SIDS, as smoke chemicals can interfere with brain regulation of breathing.
Thirdhand smoke is residue from smoke that settles on surfaces like carpeting, furniture, and clothing after a cannabis product is extinguished. Babies are vulnerable because they often touch and mouth objects, ingesting these residues. This residue contains toxic chemicals and can lead to biological exposure. Any smoke, including cannabis smoke, contains toxic chemicals harmful to babies.
Parental Role and Child Well-being
Beyond direct biological and environmental exposures, a father’s cannabis use can indirectly affect a baby’s well-being by impacting parenting behaviors and the home environment. Cannabis use can impair cognitive functions, including judgment and decision-making, and may affect emotional availability. These impairments influence a father’s capacity to provide consistent and responsive care for an infant.
Studies suggest a connection between parental cannabis use and negative parenting behaviors. While some anecdotal reports suggest cannabis use may facilitate a calmer parenting style, child welfare systems often view parental cannabis use negatively due to concerns about direct harm or parental insufficiencies. A stable and responsive caregiving environment benefits infant development. Alterations in a parent’s cognitive function or emotional state due to cannabis use can disrupt this environment, affecting the child’s emotional and behavioral development.