Dear Kimberly... Thank you for this long post. I have one question that I
have been thinking about. Where is the truth in advertising about
contamination of infant formula ingredients, etc.? I would like to see the
same truth and factual information revealed about environmental contaminants
in infant artificial baby milks. If you compare the contamination levels...
And if both contain contaminations of sorts, isn't the absolute value then
that breastmilk is still more nutritious and beneficial than its artificial
counterpart, with the emotional benefits not even factored into the
equation?
Confused here. Kindly, Kathleen
Kathleen Bruce RN IBCLC
Independent consultant: Breastfeeding Clinic of Vermont, Lactation
Resources of Vermont, Medela, Inc. Listowner Lactnet listserv
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On 5/9/05 5:44 PM, "Kimberly Radtke" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> In response to Valerie McClainıs recent posting (4/10/05)(originally posted
> by Judy Ritchie, 4/9/05, "Spring 2005 WA State Newsletter") about the Toxic-
> Free Legacy Coalition ad campaign, we agree with her observation that the
> image of a breastfeeding mother and baby is indeed beautiful. We also
> agree with breastfeeding advocates that women should not have to worry
> about whether their babies are exposed to environmental contaminants
> through breast milk or in the womb and that we should prevent industry
> from putting toxic chemicals in the environment and our bodies in the first
> place.
>
> Breastfeeding is a profound act, vital to the health of the child and
> benefiting the mother as well. Yet the fact is that toxic chemicals are
> building up in our bodies and in mothersı breast milk. To many of us, this
> is an injustice and an outrage. It is also frustrating that healthy
> lifestyle choices, while helpful, cannot keep our bodies free of toxic
> contaminants. So where do we go from here?
>
> Advocates are working in Washington State and nationwide to protect the
> health of our children by developing policies banning the use of chemicals
> that are appearing in our bodies and in our breast milk. Educating the
> public about the issue and empowering people to take action is vital to
> successfully phasing out toxic chemicals. At the same time, advocacy
> campaigns must not contribute to misinformation about breastfeeding. That
> is why the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition has been and continues to be
> committed to working with our partners in the breastfeeding community.
>
> Our ad was the product of collaborative discussions with breastfeeding
> experts and advocates. We discussed at great length how to develop a
> responsible message, which would inform the public about toxic chemicals in
> breast milk, promote breastfeeding, and elicit action. While we appreciate
> McClainıs concerns and commitment to breastfeeding, the ad clearly states
> its purpose with the all-caps message, ³LETıS BAN THESE DANGEROUS CHEMICALS
> AND KEEP OUR BABIES SAFE.²
>
> The ad also contains the prominent text, ³Women should continue to
> breastfeed and insist that these chemicals be banned² and discusses the
> benefits of breastfeeding. This message communicates a key point: while
> the presence of toxic chemicals in our bodies signals the urgent need to
> phase out these pollutants, studies indicate that breastfeeding is still
> the healthiest option for mothers and babies. Among the many health
> benefits, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce mothersı risk of pre-
> menopausal breast cancer.
>
> The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition is proud to be collaborating with the
> breastfeeding community and specifically with the Breastfeeding Coalition
> of Washington (BCW). Our partnership over the past two years goes beyond
> this ad campaign. For example, the BCW is developing a brochure about
> toxic chemicals in breast milk for families and website resources for
> health professionals. Breastfeeding advocates and environmental health
> advocates have brought this issue to Washington state medical associations
> and their membership. Breastfeeding advocates and mothers helping with
> this campaign have given moving testimony to state legislators.
> Breastfeeding experts have also participated in a Department of Ecology
> stakeholder committee, driving the phase out process for toxic flame
> retardants in Washington state and contributing to proposed legislation to
> ban these chemicals.
>
> This experience has helped the environmental health community better
> understand the challenges women face when breastfeeding, including the lack
> of access to accurate, evidenced-based information. We have also seen how
> breastfeeding advocates and moms can play a powerful role in setting
> groundbreaking policies to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals, and
> ultimately protect breast milk and our childrenıs health.
>
> To succeed in banning these chemicals and keeping our children safe,
> environmental health advocates and breastfeeding advocates need to continue
> to collaborate in order to present an accurate, unified, and responsible
> message.
>
> Sibyl Diver, Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition
> Laurie Valeriano, Washington Toxics Coalition
> Nancy Dickeman, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
> Pam Tazioli, The Breast Cancer Fund
>
> Submitted by Kimberly Radtke on behalf of the organizations listed above.
>
> Kimberly Radtke, Program Coordinator
> Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
> 11000 Lake City Way NE, Suite 301
> Seattle, WA 98125
> 206.281.8032 (p)
> 206.270.8891 (f)
> www.hmhbwa.org
> Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding as a vital part of the
> health and development of children and their families.
>
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