Cannabis and Breast Milk Supply: What You Need to Know
Discover how cannabis can impact breast milk supply and important considerations for new mothers.
Quick Answer
Major US health organizations advise against cannabis use during breastfeeding. THC gets into breast milk, infants can absorb it, and no safe dose or reliable waiting window has been established. If you use cannabis and you are breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your obstetric provider, pediatrician, or a lactation consultant before you continue.
Cannabis and Breast Milk Supply: What You Need to Know
How THC Gets Into Breast Milk
THC is fat soluble. After inhalation or ingestion it moves through the bloodstream and into milk, where it can be detected for days to weeks after a single use. Levels in milk vary widely between people and even between feedings. Because THC stores in body fat and releases over time, milk levels do not drop on a predictable schedule the way alcohol does. That is why the "pump and dump" advice used for alcohol does not translate to cannabis.
Cannabis Use While Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
What Health Organizations Say
CDC
The CDC tells mothers not to use cannabis while breastfeeding, including medical cannabis. Its guidance cites THC in milk and the potential for infant sedation, poor feeding, and growth concerns.
Breastfeeding and Edibles Effects: What You Need to Know
ACOG
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends avoiding cannabis while breastfeeding and counseling patients about the absence of safety data. ACOG also advises screening for cannabis use at prenatal and postpartum visits.
breastfeeding and edibles effects
AAP
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against marijuana use during lactation and points to gaps in long-term neurodevelopmental data.
Reported Risks for a Breastfed Infant
- Sleepiness, sedation, or trouble waking for feeds
- Poor weight gain and slower growth in some case reports
- Reduced milk intake when an infant is drowsy
- Secondhand smoke exposure, which raises the risk of respiratory illness and, with tobacco mixed in, nicotine exposure
- Unknown long-term effects on brain development, since THC acts on cannabinoid receptors that are still maturing
Most published case reports have not found severe harm, but the studies are small and short. Researchers cannot rule out subtle effects, and absence of proof is not proof of safety.
CBD, Edibles, and Topicals
CBD products are not exempt. Data on CBD in milk are thinner than data on THC, and CBD can interact with medications by affecting liver enzymes. Topical creams and patches deliver less into the bloodstream, but absorption is not zero, and product labels are often inaccurate about content. Edibles can produce higher and longer-lasting blood levels than smoking.
Steps to Take If You Use Cannabis
- Tell your obstetric provider, midwife, and pediatrician that you use cannabis. Screening questions are routine and confidential.
- Ask for a referral to a lactation consultant or a substance use counselor if you want help cutting back.
- Do not smoke or vape inside the home or in a car with the infant.
- Change clothes and wash hands after use, and keep all products locked away from children.
- Ask about alternatives for the symptom you are treating, such as nausea, anxiety, or pain, so you can weigh options with your clinician.
- Keep infant weight checks and well visits on schedule so any feeding or growth problem is caught early.
Bottom Line
Current US guidance is consistent: avoid cannabis while breastfeeding. If quitting is not realistic, do not stop breastfeeding on your own without a conversation with a clinician who can review your specific situation.