Mode of Cannabis Use and Factors Related to Frequency of Cannabis Use Among Breastfeeding Mothers: Results from an Online Survey

• Published in: Breastfeeding medicine Vol. 17; no. 3; p. 269
• Main Authors: Garner, Christine D, Kendall-Tackett, Kathleen, Young, Christina, Baker, Teresa, Hale, Thomas W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2022
• Subjects: cannabis; anxiety; marijuana; breastfeeding; depression; lactation
• ISSN: 1556-8342
• DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2021.0151

In the United States, 5% of breastfeeding mothers report using cannabis. Frequent cannabis use results in higher delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in breast milk, and mode of cannabis use may also impact risk to the infant. The aim of this study was to understand how breastfeeding mothers use cannabis and factors related to frequency of its use. An anonymous online survey was conducted among mothers who used cannabis while breastfeeding. Frequency of cannabis use was ascertained along with modes of and reasons for cannabis use. Respondents were grouped by frequency of use: less-than-daily (  = 686), low-daily (1-3 times/day;  = 423), and high-daily (≥4 times/day;  = 218). Chi-square and analysis of variance tested between-group differences, and ordinal logistic regression examined factors associated with cannabis use frequency. Smoking (88%) was the most common mode of cannabis consumption, followed by vaping (48%) and oral/edibles (36%). Smoking and vaping differed by cannabis use frequency. Only 54% used cannabis to get high, but was reported more among frequent users. In contrast, 89% of mothers used cannabis for mental or physical health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These symptoms differed by cannabis use frequency. Reporting more symptoms was associated with higher frequency of use. The odds of increasing cannabis use frequency was 2.7 for those reporting 1-2 health reasons, 5.6 for those reporting 3-4 health reasons, and 13.1 for reporting ≥5 health reasons. Strategies are needed to address maternal mental and physical health, which may be key to reducing cannabis use among breastfeeding mothers.