I worked long term with a mother and a failure to thrive baby (and a
GP).  After many unsuccessful interventions the mother confided that
she was smoking marijuana most nights after the baby settled.
Without being judgemental, I got her to try a period without the
marijuana and within a few days the baby started gaining and her
supply came up noticeably.  She then made the decision herself to
stay off it while she was breastfeeding.

I understand that marijuana can be an appetite suppressent (???) and
wondered at the time if the baby's appetite was suppressed by the
drug or his FTT.  He certainly was not a hungry baby until after she
stopped smoking.  It is also possible marijuana contains
phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) or some substance that raises
oestrogen levels (hence the breast development in males).  This would
suppress lactation like the combined pill can.  Any pharmacists out
there?

Ros Escott
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