This is in response to Jenlle's questions about transfer of mercury to breastmilk, and fish consumption advisories.  Many states including NY have guidance to restrict consumption of various fish from certain waterbodies due to mercury contamination of the fish.  The restrictions are aimed at children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and women of child-bearing age (this means all girls until they reach menopause if you look at it that way).

It is not 'what you ate yesterday' that is likely to affect breastmilk quality, but what the girl-woman has consumed over a long period of time.

Despite the presence of trace chemicals including mercury in breastmilk, it is overwhelmingly preferred to infant formula.  When comparing the risks to the baby of infant formula (high infant morbidity and mortality) to the relatively low risks of chemical exposure, breastmilk is almost always the nutrition of choice.  Best yet is to reduce or eliminate chemical exposure of the mother which results in chmical contamination of her milk.

See my articles for more info (citations below).  Email me privately if you have particular situations of concern.  Judy Schreiber

Citations:  

Please see my publication on the risks to the infant from chemicals in breast milk vs the risks of using formula feeding instead of breast milk.  The article is entitled, " Parents worried about breast milk contamination:  What is best for baby?" in Pediatric Clinics of North America, volume 48, number 5, October 2001, pp 1113-1127.   Unless the maternal exposure to chemicals is tremendous (high level occupational exposures), the benefits of breastmilk far exceed the risks of low levels of chemicals in milk.  Rather than stop breast feeding, the mother and her lactation consultants/MDs should be aware of her potential exposures and how to avoid them, thereby providing milk of the highest quality.   

Also of interest is: Schreiber, J., 1997, 
Transport of Organic Chemicals to Breast Milk:  Tetrachloroethene Case Study, Chapter 5, IN: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology of Human Development, 1997, Taylor and Francis, Publ., Kacew and Lambert, Eds., pp. 95- 143.   This chapter discusses in detail the characterisitcs of chemicals that allow transport to breast milk.  The dry cleaning solvent perc is used as an example of maternal inhalation exposure that affects breast milk quality.

Ruth Lawrence has an excellent publication entitiled, "A review of the medical benefits and contraindications to breastfeeding in the US", Oct. 1997, Technical information bulletin, National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health. Single copies can be optained at no cost from, National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse, 2070 Chain Bridge Rd, Wuite 450, Vienna, VA 22182-2536.  703-356-1964 phone; 703-821-2098 fax.  



Judith S. Schreiber, Ph.D.
Senior Public Health Scientist
Office of the Attorney General
Bureau of Environmental Protection
The Capitol
Albany NY 12224
518-474-4819 desk
518-474-9267 sec
518-473-2534 fax
email [log in to unmask]  

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