Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant that is non-intoxicating, meaning it does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana. Despite its growing popularity in wellness products, there is a significant lack of scientific data confirming the safety of its use during pregnancy and infancy. Due to this absence of safety evidence and the potential for harm, the medical and regulatory consensus is against administering the substance to infants or using it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
How CBD Transfers to the Infant
Cannabidiol is a highly fat-soluble compound, a characteristic that dictates its ability to cross biological barriers in the body. During pregnancy, CBD readily crosses the placental barrier, which is designed to protect the developing fetus. Animal studies have demonstrated that the compound transfers rapidly from the mother’s bloodstream and accumulates in the fetal brain, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
The concentration of CBD in the fetal system is a concern because the fetus lacks the mature metabolic machinery to process and eliminate it efficiently. This direct exposure means the compound can interact with the fetus’s developing systems throughout gestation. The risk remains after birth, primarily through breast milk.
Due to its lipophilic nature, CBD concentrates within the fat-rich composition of human breast milk. Studies confirm that when a mother uses CBD, the compound is detectable in her milk, sometimes persisting for several days after maternal use. The estimated half-life of CBD in breast milk is approximately 18 to 32 hours, allowing for continuous, low-level exposure to the nursing infant.
Beyond maternal use, infants face risks from accidental exposure within their environment. This can occur if a young child ingests a cannabis edible or a topical product left within reach. Another pathway is inhalation of secondhand cannabis smoke, which contains cannabinoids that can be absorbed by the infant.
Impact on the Developing Endocannabinoid System
The primary concern regarding CBD exposure in infants centers on its interaction with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a complex signaling network that plays a pervasive role in regulating neurological function. In the developing brain, the ECS is a master regulator of neurodevelopmental processes, including the formation of synapses, neuron migration, and the pruning of neural circuits.
The ECS is intricately involved in establishing fundamental infant behaviors such as appetite, sleep-wake cycles, mood regulation, and stress response. Introducing an external cannabinoid like CBD, which modulates the ECS, during these critical periods poses a significant risk. CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors like CB1 and CB2, as well as non-ECS targets such as the 5HT1A serotonin receptor, all of which are active in the fetal brain.
Animal models exposed to CBD during gestation show long-term changes in offspring, including altered cognitive function, anxiety-like behaviors, and disruption of neuronal development. These findings suggest that CBD can interfere with the precise, timed signaling required for healthy brain maturation, leading to lasting effects on behavior and connectivity. The compound can also affect the expression of genes involved in neuronal and synaptic formation through epigenetic changes.
A further challenge is the infant’s immature liver, which is responsible for metabolizing and clearing CBD from the system. CBD is processed primarily by Cytochrome P450 enzymes. In newborns and young infants, the activity of these enzyme systems is significantly lower than in adults. This immaturity means that CBD and its metabolites are cleared slowly, potentially leading to their accumulation to toxic levels in the infant’s body.
Official Safety Warnings and Known Adverse Effects
Major health organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), strongly advise against the use of CBD during pregnancy and lactation. This stance is rooted in the significant lack of human clinical trials and the potential for neurodevelopmental harm. The FDA has only approved one CBD-based prescription medication (Epidiolex) for severe seizure disorders, which is not relevant to commercial wellness products.
Even under monitored therapeutic use, CBD has a profile of known acute adverse effects in pediatric populations. The most common immediate reactions include somnolence (excessive drowsiness), and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and decreased appetite. A more serious risk is hepatotoxicity, or liver injury, which requires immediate medical attention. This risk is heightened when CBD is combined with other medications that are also metabolized by the liver.
The vast majority of commercial CBD products are unregulated, introducing a substantial risk of contamination and inaccurate labeling. Studies have found that many products contain significantly less or more CBD than advertised, and some labeled as “THC-free” contain measurable amounts of the psychoactive compound. Exposure to THC is particularly concerning for infants as it is known to negatively impact fetal brain development.
Furthermore, the cannabis plant is a bioaccumulator, meaning it effectively draws contaminants from the soil and environment. Unregulated products have been found to contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents used in the extraction process. These contaminants pose a serious toxicity risk to an infant’s small, developing body, which lacks the capacity to detoxify them efficiently.