Breastfeeding & Marijuana (S5:E12)

Colorado and Washington became the first states to fully legalize the recreational use of marijuana back in 2012. Since then, many states have followed. Although marijuana is usually a non-harmful drug, researchers do not know the effect THC can have on a fetus during the prenatal period or on infants during breastfeeding. As a start, researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado set out to understand how much THC is excreted in breast milk and for how long.

Listen to pediatric experts discuss marijuana and breastfeeding

In this episode, we are joined by Maya Bunik, MD, & Erica Wymore, MD.

Dr. Bunik is the Medical Director for the Child Health Clinic at Children’s Colorado and Professor of General Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Dr. Wymore is a Neonatologist at Children’s Colorado and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics–Neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Challenges of studying cannabis use in breastfeeding mothers
• Study methodology and findings on the persistence of THC in breastmilk
• What’s known about the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of marijuana exposure
• Harm reduction strategies for pregnant and breastfeeding marijuana users
• Whether and when to recommend formula over breastmilk for marijuana users
• Supporting women with cannabis use disorder

Resources for providers:

• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: Marijuana: Health Care Provider Resources
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT): Online Training for Health Professionals
• 1-800-CHILDREN will connect patients with substance use disorder resources

Refer a patient to Children’s Colorado.