Coach Smith here. The bottom line? "When does breastmilk get so toxic that
formula looks safer?" The issue of true safety is clouded by the legal
status of marijuana in the US. And besides, the mother still has the right
to make that decision for her own baby.
For me, I worry a lot about the mother's general behavior and parenting when
she uses marijuana. A reckless lifestyle is risky for the baby, regardless
of what the mother uses to feed the baby. (No, I'm not saying that all
marijuana users are reckless.) Some research in treatment programs suggests
that some mothers are more likely to stay clean when they're breastfeeding,
and that's good for the baby. Dose matters: one joint now and then is not
the same as daily, regular smoking. Or, for that matter, smoking tobacco,
drinking a beer or glass of wine. Occasional small-dose use of "various
substances" is not the same as chronic, high-dose intake of substances that
may affect the baby.
If we're worried about brain development, balance all this with the known
risks to IQ and cognitive development from formula-feeding
"Can a marijuana-using mother breastfeed" is a slightly different question
than "can a breastfeeding mother use marijuana." For tobacco smoking, it's
better that the mother who smokes DOES breastfeed, even if the milk contains
cotitine. The risk to the baby of smoking AND formula feeding is worse than
smoking and breastfeeding.
Be very wary of creating an underlying message that "the mother might be a
risk to her own baby."
Hope this helps. There's no easy answer to this one.
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd
6540 Cedarview Ct, Dayton OH 45459
937-438-9458 / fax 937-438-3229
www.BFLRC.com <http://www.bflrc.com/>
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