Survey of new mothers finds most know marijuana while breastfeeding may be harmful, but few receive counseling
Among 46 postpartum mothers, 87% knew marijuana use while breastfeeding may harm the infant, but only 46% knew THC is found in breast milk, and fewer than a third received postnatal counseling about the risks.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
57% of mothers reported ever using marijuana and 13% used within the past year. 87% knew breastfeeding while using marijuana may be harmful, but only 46% knew THC is found in breast milk. Only 35% received prenatal and 30% postnatal counseling on risks. Mothers who received prenatal counseling were more likely to know THC appears in breast milk (69% vs. 33%, p=0.02).
Key Numbers
46 mothers; 57% ever used marijuana; 87% knew breastfeeding risk; 46% knew THC in breast milk; 35% received prenatal counseling; 30% postnatal counseling.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 46 postpartum mothers (≥18 years, newborn ≥35 weeks) at a single urban academic hospital, 2018-2019.
Why This Research Matters
With marijuana use common among women of childbearing age, the gap between general awareness of harm and specific knowledge (like THC in breast milk) represents a missed opportunity for healthcare provider counseling.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that counseling significantly improved knowledge suggests a simple intervention: asking about marijuana use and providing specific information about THC in breast milk should be standard postpartum practice.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (n=46). Single hospital. Self-report subject to social desirability. No outcome data linking cannabis use to infant health. Survey-based, not clinical assessment.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would standardized counseling protocols close the knowledge gap?
- ?How much THC exposure through breast milk is clinically significant?
- ?Do mothers who know the risks change their behavior?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 87% knew of risk but only 46% knew THC is in breast milk
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small pilot survey from a single center.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 with 2018-2019 data.
- Original Title:
- Marijuana and Breastfeeding: A Pilot Survey of Mothers.
- Published In:
- Hospital pediatrics, 12(7), e255-e260 (2022)
- Authors:
- Crowley, Hannah R, Goyal, Neera K(3), Chung, Esther K(3)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03776
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does THC get into breast milk?
Yes. While 87% of mothers in this study knew marijuana while breastfeeding could be harmful, only 46% knew that THC is actually found in breast milk, highlighting a specific knowledge gap.
Do doctors counsel about marijuana and breastfeeding?
Not often enough. Only 35% of mothers received prenatal counseling and 30% postnatal counseling about the risks. Those who were counseled had significantly better knowledge about THC in breast milk.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03776APA
Crowley, Hannah R; Goyal, Neera K; Chung, Esther K. (2022). Marijuana and Breastfeeding: A Pilot Survey of Mothers.. Hospital pediatrics, 12(7), e255-e260. https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2021-006420
MLA
Crowley, Hannah R, et al. "Marijuana and Breastfeeding: A Pilot Survey of Mothers.." Hospital pediatrics, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2021-006420
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Marijuana and Breastfeeding: A Pilot Survey of Mothers." RTHC-03776. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/crowley-2022-marijuana-and-breastfeeding-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.