On environmental breastmilk impact, perhaps partnering with Physicians
for Social Responsibility
The Greater Boston PSR http://psr.igc.org/
have already written a book In Harms Way……Toxic Threats to Child
Development. http://psr.igc.org/ihw.htm
The entire book may be downloaded in Adobe, access through:
http://psr.igc.org/ihw-report_dwnld.htm#ihwRptDwnld
Also, Greater Boston Physicians offer free download of their pamphlet on
why to still breastfeed in spite of environmental pollutants.
Why breastfeeding is still best for your baby,
health care provider copy
http://psr.igc.org/breasthealth5.30.01_links.pdf
for the public
http://psr.igc.org/BFeasyeng2pg.10.18.pdf
in Spanish for health care provider copy
http://psr.igc.org/BFlongspan4pg.10.21.pdf
in Spanish for the public
http://psr.igc.org/BFeasyspan4pg.10.18.pdf
other publications
http://psr.igc.org/pubs.htm
Judy Ritchie
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:10:28 -0500
From: Sharon Knorr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Breastmilk vs. blood contamination
To Valerie (and all),
I don't think that any of us are damning breastmilk by initiating
discussion on environmental contamination. This discussion and
investigation is taking place and will be fully explored in the media
whether we like it or not. What we need to do is to be fully informed
on the issues so that we can speak intelligently on the topic whenever
it comes up. It does not help our cause to keep trying to find a way to
show that formula is contaminated just as much by these pollutants when
the= fact is, it is not. Formula has many other hazards, but
environmental contamination is not one of them. We need to keep these
other hazards in the media whenever it is suggested that breastmilk is
not appropriate for babies anymore due to contamination. We need to
examine the studies that come out so that we can comment on them with
some degree of authority.
We do need to take control of this issue. This may indeed be the nail
in the coffin that the formula manufacturers have been waiting for - we
must stop them from using it. We must increase pressure on the medical
groups, such as AAP, to call for the cleanup of our environment as a
priority for the future health of our children, not just because of
breastmilk contamination, but because of the ultimate contamination of
everything, for which the breastmilk issue is just a bellweather. We
need to find a way to get the information about formula into the media
on a regular basis - we need a cohesive strategy. I'm not sure where
this can originate from (ILCA?) or where the money to fund it will come
from. Many LC's fight this battle regularly through their local media
by letters to the editor and such. We need to multiply that. And
again, we must somehow, someway, find a way to get the medical
profession on board. Most pediatricians are standing pat with the
"breastmilk is still the best" line, but how long is that going to last?
Not being proactive will not make this go away. In fact, it will only
seal our fate. What do the rest of you think? Marsha Walker is a
walking encyclopedia of formula hazards and abuse - how do we turn her
masterful accumulation of information into a real campaign? (I could say
the same of the mountains of information that Valerie has accumulated as
well). What are we going to do about this? Do we have the time and
energy to become as active and vocal in the environment as in
breastfeeding? (I know that some have, and I think you are wonderful!)
Many of us do this in a small way, through our lifestyle and daily
interactions. But what next? What will be our strategy that will
acknowledge the problem without encouraging the abandonment of
breastfeeding, that will finally uncover the ugly truth about formula
without alienating the mainstream folks that we need on our side? I
have no answers. But I think that we all have enough brain cells left
to come up with something.
From an old hippie, fighting the same battles and hoping to win at least
one before I die.......
Warmly,
Sharon Knorr, BSMT, ASCP, IBCLC
Newark, NY (near Rochester on Lake Ontario)
mailto:[log in to unmask]
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