You know, there's something that really concerns me about this whole
contaminated breastmilk issue. One of the most precious substances known
to man, breastmilk, is being polluted and we as breastfeeding
proponents ought to be completely outraged and ready to take organized
action against companies which employ manufacturing techniques or use
chemical processes that contribute to this environmental contamination.
All we've done so far is defensively but accurately point out that
formula is worse (as I sincerely believe based on available research).

The formula companies undoubtedly benefit greatly from all the negative
publicity about breastmilk. Those negative and not well thought out
comments by the media are sure to make an impression in the minds of
mothers who may be straddling the fence on the issue of breastfeeding or
those looking for an excuse to quit when the going gets a little tough.
Aren't the comments making an impression on us too? ABMs, as far as I
know, aren't being tested for the contaminants that have been found in
breastmilk. Yes, as mentioned here, probably ABMs contains less
lipidphilic chemicals than breastmilk due to its lower fat content, but
what about the other chemicals like heavy metals, growth hormones, etc.?

What do you think would happen to breastfeeding rates if LLL, for
example, publicly called for a boycott of paper manufacturers (major
dioxin producers)? To call attention to this abomination of breastmilk
contamination, could only help the "other side" and alarm people
unnecessarily. What's the solution then?

If we think that contamination of breastmilk and our food supply in
general is a problem, as surely it is, then we should also become
activists on another front, the environmental one.


Joy Holtz, R.N.
Wilmington, NC

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