In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency has been reevaluating the
levels of dioxin in the environment and the degree of risk posed by current
levels. In the section of their draft on frequently asked questions, they
state the following regarding breastfeeding. You can access this document by
going to the EPA web site at www.epa.gov and searching on dioxin.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

Questions and Answers about Dioxins, July 2000
F9. Is it safe to nurse my infant? (return to list)
Yes, it is safe to nurse your infant. Many studies have shown that breastfed
infants are
healthier than formula fed infants. In fact, those studies were done years
ago when the levels
of dioxins in breast milk were higher than they are today.
The findings in EPA's draft dioxins report do not suggest that there are more
dioxins in the
environment than before; in fact, the report shows that levels in the
environment continue to
decrease. We believe there are overwhelming benefits of breast feeding and
encourage
women to continue the practice.
Further information about breast feeding (return to list)
Breast milk is known to be the most complete form of nutrition for infants,
with benefits
for infant health, growth, immunity, and development. The benefits of
breastfeeding for
children include fewer cases and less severity of diarrhea, respiratory
infections, ear
infections, and meningitis, among others. Breastfeeding may also reduce the
risk of
sudden infant death syndrome and may lower rates of childhood cancer.
In addition to the benefits for children, breastfeeding also has benefits for
mothers.
Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce postpartum bleeding, promote earlier
return to
pre-pregnancy weight, reduce the risk of breast cancer, and reduce risk of
osteoporosis.
So again, the findings in the draft EPA dioxin report do not suggest that
women should
stop breast feeding. Women are encouraged to continue the practice of
breastfeeding
given its overall benefits to mother and child.

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html