Think mixing breastfeeding and marijuana is harmless? Just think you are smoking a little pot? Think again.
What do Researchers Say about Marijuana and Breastfeeding?
Marijuana contains an active ingredient called THC. THC is stored in mom’s fat tissues for weeks to months after use. Then any additional use causes a “build up” in mom’s body. Concentrated amounts are then passed to children through mom’s breast milk.
In fact, children exposed to marijuana through breastfeeding will test positive in drug tests for long periods of time–up to three weeks after exposure!
Marijuana and Breastfeeding – Would Your Baby Fail a Drug Test?
There has been a lot of controversy over the use of marijuana today. Some feel it is a safe, helpful drug that has been given a bad rap. Others feel it needs to remain illegal because it is just as dangerous as any other drug on the street. Where you stand on this issue may not have mattered much in the past, but once you give birth to a baby and begin breastfeeding it does matter. It matters because it could harm your child.
What many new mothers do not think about when they light up a joint is the fact that what they put into their body is passed through to their baby’s body. This means, if a breastfeeding mother would fail a drug test, so would her baby!
That is exactly why a new mother’s position on the issue of marijuana is so important. When marijuana starts entering the mothers body, it is more than likely going to be passed on to the baby and that baby is going to suffer as a result.
Why Is Marijuana Harmful?
Many people think of marijuana as a light or harmless drug because it doesn’t seem to alter the mind as drastically as some other illegal drugs. Many users believe it relaxes them and takes an edge off of their stress, so they may not see how it could be of any harm to their baby. Many others simply do not realize that it can be passed to their baby through their breast milk, so they are getting high out of ignorance.
Marijuana is harmful to adults and especially children because of the THC. This is a natural substance that enters the body from the use of marijuana.
- It is first stored in the fat reserves and over time it collects inside the body from continued marijuana use.
- The build-up gets into the blood stream.
- Then it is passed through to the baby from the breast milk.
This is why a baby can literally fail a drug test, with marijuana use showing up in their lab results. (Poor thing.)
Making Parental Decisions
Every mom has to make decisions on behalf of her own body and the body of her newborn child. A mom who believed marijuana was harmless before having a child is likely to continue with that belief during the pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Hopefully, you will see that there are dangers associated with this drug and give it up while pregnant and breastfeeding. No one can make that decision for you, but think of your baby and how they would come out if given a drug test. Based on what you have been putting into your own body, do you think your baby would pass or fail that test? If you doubt your own ability to pass and are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you should doubt your baby’s ability to pass as well.
This is Very Dangerous
We are not your mother. We can’t tell you what to do. But if you are a child’s mother who is considering taking a chance and using breastfeeding and breastfeeding, just don’t. The risks are not worth it.
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