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CBD products are showing no sign of losing their popularity, and with so many dedicated consumers, it’s easy to see why. With their touted benefits ranging from improving sleep to easing anxiety, you might think CBD products would be the perfect option for new mothers.
But is CBD safe if you are breastfeeding? We’re taking a look at what we know, what we don’t, and the current health advice to find the answer.
Humans have utilised plants for a huge range of medicinal, spiritual, and practical reasons throughout history. With uses ranging from promoting healing through wound dressing, manufacturing rope and clothing, and providing nutrition, few crops have been more valuable than cannabis. From its leaves and flowers to its fibrous stems and seeds, almost every part of the hemp plant (low-THC cannabis varieties) can be used.
But it was only in the 20th century, when scientists identified the different compounds within the plant, that we were able to appreciate the potential of hemp’s many chemical derivatives. One of these products is cannabidiol (CBD).
Today, CBD is one of the most studied hemp compounds. A growing body of scientific research suggests the cannabinoid may have a number of impressive therapeutic properties, which has led to its explosive popularity in the health and wellness world. The result? CBD products have become widely available, designed for a range of applications, from edibles to topicals.
Studies show that people from all demographics and walks of life are interested in the potential benefits of CBD. According to various surveys, consumers are using CBD for everything from reducing stress and anxiety levels to promoting better sleep and even soothing joint and muscle pain. While more clinical research is needed to confirm these benefits, the internet is stacked full of anecdotal reports from consumers who swear by their effects.
So, you might think CBD would be the perfect option for new mothers, many of whom are understandably sleep-deprived and stressed. But is it a good idea to use CBD if you are breastfeeding?
There has been little research into the effects of using CBD products while breastfeeding. Nonetheless, health agencies around the world have published guidelines on its use among this population of women. Generally, it is advised that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers avoid CBD products.
For example, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that CBD should not be taken by people in vulnerable groups, including those “who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those trying to conceive.”
So, what is the reasoning behind this advice?
Well, with so little evidence over the effects of CBD on breastfed children, this advice is based on a cautionary approach to the compound. This is common for substances and medications that can potentially be passed on to babies through breast milk. Other examples include echinacea, elderberry, and melatonin supplements.
Drugs and other compounds can pass into human breast milk through a number of pathways. The primary pathway for passage into milk is passive diffusion. Furthermore, the transfer of drugs into breastmilk can be affected by several factors, including maternal plasma concentration, maternal plasma protein binding, the size of the molecule, and the lipid solubility of the compound.
Virtually all drug and food supplements can be transferred into milk to some extent; however, the amount is typically small and unlikely to cause adverse effects in the breastfeeding infant. Nonetheless, as drug companies are not required to produce clinical data on the safety of their products in lactation, consumption advice typically errs on the side of caution.
While anecdotal evidence may suggest that CBD products, such as CBD oils and CBD skincare could be beneficial for new mothers, many of whom are faced with exhausting feeding and sleep routines, the current lack of research means that it is better to avoid the products, at least for now.
The good news is that there will still be plenty of product options for you to choose from once your little one is weaned. You can browse our full range of CBD products, including our Green Therapy CBD Skincare range on our website today. Our bundles could make the perfect pamper hamper for the post-breastfeeding stage!
