Can You Take CBD While Breastfeeding?

Can you take CBD while breastfeeding?

CBD is growing in popularity among people looking for relief from nausea, inflammation, daily stresses and tiredness. If there’s any group that can relate to these troubles, it’s pregnant women and new mothers!

Visit https://www.hempurecbd.com/ for a full range of Third Party Tested, Organically Grown, CO2 Extracted, Zero THC, CBD products – scientifically formulated to support homeostasis in your mind and body.

It’s no wonder then, that nursing mothers are frequently inquiring about whether CBD is safe to consume. In this video, we’ll give you all the information you need on CBD and breastfeeding before you proceed. As with any new supplement regimen, always consult your doctor before you begin.

Studies on CBD
There are virtually no studies on the use of CBD oil and breastfeeding. The few studies that have been conducted didn’t provide conclusive results on whether CBD affects the infant at all. One study examined the effects of chronic exposure to CBD for 24-72 hours on in vitro cells. Results said that it may change the physiological characteristics of the placenta.[1] However, chronic exposure is far more than the average CBD user would experience, and they would do so over a longer period of time.

In order to find out how much CBD ends up in breast milk, it would need to be measurable. CBD, however, is completely fat soluble which makes it almost impossible to detect in breast milk – which is full of fats.

Cannabinoids in Breast milk
Don’t be dismayed by all that we don’t know yet, though. Because here’s what we do know: a growing fetus, even when it has just 2 cells, has a developing endocannabinoid system, which is the bodily system that CBD benefits.

Breast milk contains endocannabinoids that are very similar in structure to CBD. These endocannabinoids are very important for a new-born’s development. They stimulate hunger, teach the infant how to suckle, and how to feed themselves. The lack of these endocannabinoids may trigger a syndrome called ‘non-organic ability to thrive’ where the infant has no desire to feed.

Studies on Cannabis
There have been a few studies on cannabis lactating mothers and their infants. These studies mainly focus on the effect of THC on breast milk and children. THC and CBD are, however, two vastly different compounds: THC is the compound in cannabis that gets you high. If you do decide to take CBD while you’re breastfeeding, make sure it’s a product that is completely THC free. A product that has zero THC will say so on the label, but any reputable manufacturer will also have third-party lab results available so you can see for yourself.

There are a few reasons why nursing mothers should only consider CBD that has no THC:
THC can concentrate in breast milk: One study analyzed 50+ breast milk samples from mothers that used cannabis while breastfeeding. Researchers were able to detect THC levels in 63% of the samples – even up to 6 days later. More worrying is the fact that THC actually becomes concentrated in breast milk.

THC can affect the baby: Studies conducted on pregnant mothers who smoked cannabis and their children found that the infants were more likely to have lower birth weights and possibly suffer from a lack of oxygen in the womb. Another study found that infants exposed to THC in breastmilk had lower motor function by the time they were one.

THC is a huge risk: Breastfed babies of those who smoke heavy amounts of marijuana will test positive for THC for up to three weeks! If for any reason, a baby was urine tested and found to have THC in their system, a pediatrician would be compelled to report it to CPS or a similar organization: not a risk you want to take.

How to Proceed
If you plan to take CBD while pregnant or nursing, here are some guidelines:

Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits, and interactions with any medications you may be on.

Make sure the CBD you purchase has no THC.

Make sure the CBD you purchase has no solvents, heavy metals or harmful pathogens. Third party lab tests are important under any circumstances, but for a nursing mother, they should be non-negotiable.

Take a low dose of CBD to be safe (10mg is a typical dose to start with).

Keep an eye out for any behavioral, digestive or feeding schedule changes in the baby. If you notice any, stop use and consult with a doctor.

A lot of mothers want to opt for a non-pharmacological approach and companies cannot make claims for fear of the FDA, so the current ‘verified safe’ options are few, but the future of research is promising.

As more studies emerge, we can have more conclusive answers regarding the use of CBD by breastfeeding mothers.