I would hope that most substances, no matter what our personal opinion of
them is (say birth control pills, morning after pills or even recreationals
such as hemp) would be "hoped," by us in the Lactation Community, to be NOT
damaging to babies.

Mothers will use these substances, and anyone "hoping" that could prove
that they HARM babies really shocks me. I work with a lot of teen, low
income moms and those from the Tattooed and pierced set. Many want info
about marijuana, and I don't "hope" to scare them with info about "harm." I
don't think if (BIG "if") there was definiative harm info about marijuana,
it would stop many from using the plant, just maybe make them think twice
about breastfeeding. I would rather see mothers NOT use this herb, but if
they do, the info we have points to little or no damage to babies.

I would hope we would all HOPE as few substances as possible harm babies.
Scare tactics are NOT a way to control mother's behavior. Our personal
feelings on certain lifestyles, which are have NO evidence based claims for
harm, should not interfer with how we counsel mothers. I would rathers see
a mother who occasional uses the herb breastfeed, than have her discontinue
breastfeeding due to unfounded and unproven and unfactual fear or personal
opinions. Nor would I "hope" any substance at all was harmful, just as a
way to control someone who may lead a different lifestyle than I do.

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLLL, AAPL
Private Practice

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:22:46 EDT, [log in to unmask] wrote:

>In a message dated 7/27/2004 4:37:35 PM Pacific Standard Time,
>[log in to unmask] writes:
>At 1:19 PM -0400 7/26/04, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>>...There is (unfortuneately) no evidence at present that maternal THC does
>any
>>damage to babies. ...
>
>Nancy, you meant to say "fortunately", didn't you?
>
>Tina
>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>No, I meant "unfortunately".  I wish there were good scientific evidence to
>offer to mothers to convince them to lay off the stuff.
>
>You are communicating with perhaps the ONLY graduate of UC Berkeley who
NEVER
>smoked pot in the 1960's!
>
>Nancy
>Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM
>Neonatologist
>Children's Hospital and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
>Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
>San Diego, CA
>[log in to unmask]
>
>

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