CBD during breastfeeding: Why it's best to avoid it now

The baby is here, you are overjoyed - and yet you are struggling with the consequences of sleep deprivation and stress? What sounds better than a natural remedy for tension, anxiety, and sleep problems?

However, while CBD is great for improving your well-being, it's best to avoid it during breastfeeding. The following article explains why!

New mothers are often under a lot of pressure. Sleep deprivation, hormonal fluctuations, backaches, and other pains - who wouldn't wish for some support? And because most medications are taboo during pregnancy and breastfeeding, many young mothers turn to natural alternatives. One of them: Cannabidiol (CBD).

Many providers also specifically promote CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a natural and gentle solution for stress, pain, and sleep problems. However, while CBD is considered very well tolerated and safe for adults, the situation is completely different during breastfeeding.

Everything you ingest can pass into your breast milk through your blood - and thus directly to your baby. And in such a small body, the mechanisms are naturally completely different from those in adults.

Let's take a quick look at how the substances you ingest get into breast milk in the first place.

Your bloodstream and milk production are not completely separate. This is because the mammary glands in your breast are permeated by a dense network of blood vessels. Substances from your bloodstream - whether medication, nutrients, or even CBD - can cross the blood-milk barrier and pass into breast milk.

Here's how CBD might travel through your body:

1. You take CBD orally (oil, spray)

2. CBD enters your blood through your digestive tract

3. Your blood transports CBD throughout your body - including to the blood vessels in your breast

4. CBD can cross the blood-milk barrier

5. Your baby ingests CBD during breastfeeding

Particularly tricky: CBD is fat-soluble (lipophilic), and breast milk has a high fat content. This means that CBD can accumulate particularly well in the milk, perhaps even in higher concentrations than in your blood. Your baby would drink this milk with a high dose of CBD and thus absorb a rather high dose of CBD themselves.

The exciting part: Did you know that your breast milk itself contains cannabinoids? Since your body produces them itself, they are called endo- or endogenous cannabinoids. These play a very important role in your baby's development: they promote the sucking reflex, support the immune system, and influence your child's neural development.

Your body produces these substances in exactly the right amount and composition. Exogenous CBD (i.e., supplied from outside) is not only superfluous - it would act on your child's cannabinoid receptors and disrupt the finely tuned system.

Another problem: We know almost nothing about the effects of CBD during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and on children (of any age). There is little research and few studies. This is also confirmed by a meta-study from the USA. (1)

The reason is usually that studies on pregnant and breastfeeding women are relatively difficult, as are studies on very young children. Most insights come from animal studies or are deductions from cannabis studies where THC and CBD were investigated together. However, the latter usually concerns cannabis abuse during pregnancy and the possible negative consequences for the child.

For example, a Norwegian study examined 9,312 women with 10,373 pregnancies between 1999 and 2008 regarding the connection between the consumption of THC-containing cannabis during pregnancy and negative outcomes. (2)

According to the researchers, there was a significant link between the mother's cannabis use during pregnancy and reduced birth weight of the child. Further studies suggest that cannabis during pregnancy can impair the baby's brain development.

A study on THC and CBD residues in breast milk also showed that both substances remain detectable in milk for a longer period. (3) Even if CBD itself has very few side effects for you - the effects on your baby are still completely unclear. It's not for nothing that official bodies like the US FDA advise against CBD during breastfeeding. (4)

CBD is sold in Germany as a food supplement and is only legal if the THC content is below 0.3%. However, the quality of CBD products sometimes varies greatly. Reputable providers invest in comprehensive quality controls and a transparent manufacturing process.

Reputable manufacturers, on the other hand, often cannot guarantee that the THC content of their products is truly minimal. Especially lower-quality full-spectrum oils can often contain relatively high amounts of THC. Even if you don't notice anything, the THC can reach your child and cause negative consequences. Other harmful residues are also possible in cheap products.

CBD and THC are not the only substances that can pass into breast milk. Here's a brief overview:

While caffeine and alcohol are a no-go for many mothers anyway, the information on CBD is often not as clear for many young mothers. While THC is usually intuitively rejected, this is often not the case with CBD. Even some midwives recommend CBD as supposedly gentle relief. Yet, even the known risks are not insignificant.

Blood pressure reduction: CBD can lower blood pressure. In combination with the already lower blood pressure of many new mothers, this can lead to dizziness or circulatory problems.

Interactions with medications: CBD inhibits certain liver enzymes (CYP450 system) responsible for metabolizing many medications. Are you still taking painkillers, antibiotics, or other medications after birth? Then CBD can enhance or weaken their effects.

Effects on milk production: The data here is unclear. Some anecdotal reports suggest that cannabis could affect milk production - but whether this also applies to pure CBD has not been sufficiently researched.

Brain development: Your baby's brain is developing rapidly. Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is central to this development. External cannabinoids could disrupt the process - and have long-term negative consequences for your child.

Immature liver system: Your baby's liver is not yet fully mature. CBD is primarily metabolized in the liver. In infants, this can lead to an accumulation of CBD in the body - with unpredictable consequences.

Immune system and further development: Since the endocannabinoid system also controls immune function, appetite, and other processes, disruptions here could also have far-reaching consequences.

However, there is one way to safely use CBD during breastfeeding: topical products, i.e., those applied to the skin. These can be ready-made salves and balms, but CBD oils can also be applied to affected areas and massaged in.

In this form, CBD primarily works locally and does not enter the general bloodstream. Topical applications have proven effective, especially for tension and gentle massages.

Important: Never apply CBD products to the breast area so that your baby doesn't accidentally ingest it. Always wash your hands thoroughly after use. Also, please make sure to use only THC-free products that can confirm this with laboratory analyses. And: For safety, speak with your doctor or midwife beforehand.

However, it doesn't always have to be CBD. During breastfeeding, other effective remedies are available to improve your well-being. 

Gently relieves stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain. Research confirms there are no risks for the baby. Particularly effective for postnatal discomfort.

Ginger is the best-researched natural remedy for pregnancy sickness. It can be enjoyed as a tea, candy, or pure, for example.

Herbal teas like chamomile or lavender can have a calming effect but should also be consumed in moderation, as they can have their own side effects.

A balanced diet with sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals helps your health and simultaneously improves the quality of breast milk.

For back and neck pain from breastfeeding, often more effective than any painkiller. Massage and gentle movement can relieve tension and boost overall well-being. Many health insurance companies cover the costs when prescribed by a doctor.

Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, or meditation - scientifically proven effective against stress and sleep problems.

Gentle warmth (e.g., lukewarm baths, warm compresses) helps with muscle pain and increases overall well-being.

Your doctor or midwife can help you find other safe alternatives for stress, sleep problems, or other complaints.

Of course, life as a new mom isn't easy. Sleep deprivation, pain, stress - it's more than justified that you're seeking relief. But when it comes to breastfeeding, the clear recommendation from all reputable experts is: CBD? Better not.

Because: CBD demonstrably passes into breast milk, its effects on infants are not sufficiently researched (long-term studies are completely lacking), and many CBD products contain residues of THC and other potentially dangerous substances.

Remember: Even if the breastfeeding period can feel very long, it will pass. In any case, now is not the time for experiments and substances whose risks have not yet been sufficiently researched. Your baby's health will thank you for it!

Medical Disclaimer