Our hospital has begun doing urine drug screens on moms.  Yesterday afternoon  a
young mom delivered her infant and began nursing.  In the night her drug screen
showed marijuana.  The nurse practitioner who is caring for the baby told the
mother she could not breastfeed because it would cause the baby to have all
kinds of problems and possibly lead to SIDS, and she did not want that on her
conscience if the baby came in very sick or dead.

The midwife came through and decided that the mom COULD breastfeed.  But decided
she would have to pump and discard the milk for 4 days.  On Monday she has to
come in my office, express milk and send it down for a marijuana level.  Then
she can begin breastfeeding.

Mom states she used marijuana once, a few days ago to help her sleep, and will
not use it again.  No other drugs showed up in her drug screen.

I have a feeling this is going to come up again.  What are the thoughts about
marijuana and breastfeeding? Especially if mother says she won't use it again
while breastfeeding.

Glad this hectic week is ending.  Whew.
Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC