Benefits of Breast-Feeding in a Toxic World

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What you can do
*If you can, breast-feed for one year and up to 18 months if possible, following the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. For mothers, nursing releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps shrink the uterus back to its non-pregnant state and prevents postpartum hemorrhages. Milk production uses an average of 600 calories per day, helping breast-feeding mothers return to their pre-pregnant weight faster than those who bottle-feed. Breast-feeding also has been shown to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as osteoporosis and bone fracture.
*Eat lower on the food chain: Reduce contaminants in breast milk by eating fewer animal products. Many environmental toxins bioaccumulate, so concentrations are higher in meats and dairy products (see "Reducing Dioxin in Milk" in GG #103). Eat organic whenever possible and follow The Green Guide picks for avoiding unsafe fish (see "Which Fish, Now" in GG #101).
*Reduce household exposures to PBDEs in foam furniture and electronic products. See "Sleep Better!" (GG #107) and Learning Hazards in Consumer Products and Food" at www.thegreenguide.com.

Resources
Breast-feeding information and advocacy:
www.lalecheleague.org
www.breastfeeding.org
American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aappolicy.aappublications.org

Toxins in breast milk:
NRDC chemical in mother's milk, www.nrdc.org
"Don't Trash Our Bodies! Researching Breastmilk Toxins—Breastfeeding," Mothering Magazine, www.findarticles.com
"Perinatal Exposure to PCBs may have Lasting Effects" (www.apa.org)

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