Giving Compass' Take:

· Writing for the Houston Chronicle, Lindsey Tanner explains that mothers using marijuana during their pregnancy and when breastfeeding young infants could potentially cause harm and disrupt brain development. Although no solid evidence has been found, experts express concern that the chemical properties of THC pose a threat to child development.

· As more states begin to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, what is the best way doctors can advocate for healthy pregnancies?

· Read about these new efforts to scale up maternal and newborn health innovations.

Marijuana's main mind-altering ingredient was detected in nursing mothers' breast milk in a small study that comes amid evidence that more U.S. women are using pot during pregnancy and afterward.

Experts say the ingredient, THC, has chemical properties that could allow it to disrupt brain development and potentially cause harm, although solid evidence of that is lacking.

The new study involved 50 nursing mothers who were using pot and provided breast milk samples to researchers at the University of California, San Diego. Lab testing found small amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical that causes marijuana's "high," in 34 of 54 samples up to six days after they were provided. Another form of THC and cannabidiol, a pot chemical touted by some as a health aid, were detected in five samples.

The study authors said "it is reasonable to speculate" that exposing infants to THC or cannabidiol "could influence normal brain development," depending on dose and timing.

The results echo findings in case reports from years ago, when pot was less potent than what's available today, said study co-author Christina Chambers, a pediatrics professor. It's not known if the amounts detected pose any risk, but she said her research team is studying children whose moms' were involved to try to answer that question.

Read the full article about the effects of marijuana use at CBS.