A mother accused of helping her one-year-old daughter smoke marijuana has been ordered to stay away from the baby while the case is pending.

Brianna Ashanti Lofton, 20, of North Carolina, appeared in court for the first time after videos of the baby puffing on a small cigar surfaced online, prompting her arrest.

One of the videos, which was watched 1.5 million times, showed the hand of an adult off-screen who appears to hold the cigarillo to the one-year-old’s lips.

One of the videos showed the hand of an adult off-screen who appears to hold a small cigar to the child's lips. (Facebook) (Facebook)

It was posted by a user who urged the mother’s arrest.

"Big thanks to everyone who posted information about the smoking mother and baby," Raleigh Police officials told their Facebook followers in a post.

"Thanks to your willingness to get involved, the child is now safe and the mother is in police custody."

Police confirmed officials were referring to the child seen in the video, arresting Lofton on Wednesday.

She is facing charges of child abuse, marijuana possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Brianna Ashanti Lofton, 20, had her first appearance in court today. (ABC America) (ABC America)

She is facing charges of child abuse, marijuana possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. (ABC America) (ABC America)

According to an arrest warrant, Lofton inflicted harm by having the child inhale marijuana smoke from a blunt more than once over a two-month period.

The child has since been placed into child protective services.

During today's brief court appearance, a judge set Lofton’s bond at US $100,000 and ordered her to have no contact with her daughter during the case.

The child has been placed with child protective services. (Facebook) (Facebook)

The court also heard she has faced several misdemeanour charges, including assault and marijuana possession, ABC News reports.

Lofton said little during the court appearance except to note she wanted a public defender.