Sharon,

You wrote:  "Animal fat in formula is replaced with vegetable fat, the toxin
levels found in cow's milk are not also found in cow's milk formula."

What study showed this?  Manufacturers of infant formulas certainly use
tropical oils which are trans-fats. (Trans-fats are considered risky for
heart-health in adults)  Lets take a look at the whey protein concentrate that is used
most commonly in cow's milk infant formulas.  Whey has protein-bound fats.  The
concentrate is about 90% protein, no lactose, and I assume that the 10% left
is fat.  If they use whey protein isolate (often used by body builders), it
has no fat but very expensive.  I don't think they use the isolate in infant
formula.  Assumptions are being made because we use "vegetable" oils and because
nonfat milk is used in infant formula.  But what about the whey protein
concentrate?  Where is the research?


You write, "breastmilk seems to lessen the impact of that damage, unless the
breastmilk itself contains extremely high levels of toxins."  What study
showed damage?

Again, studies on toxins and breastfeeding must define breastfeeding.  If we
tell the public that damage is done by high levels of toxins in breastmilk, I
hope to god we have studies that show this damage.  I hope we aren't
speculating on damage. Exclusive breastfeeding must be defined in detail.  Remember
that the CDC defines exclusive breastfeeding as including water supplementation.
This would be a crucial piece of information since so many water supplies are
contaminated with these toxins.  One cannot single out human milk as source
of toxic body burdens, if other foods and water are being given to an infant.

While I am respectful of the experts in the field such as Steingrabber and
Schreiber,  they are experts in the field of environmental science.  They are
not necessarily experts in the area of infant feeding.  Scientists assume
breastfeeding is breastfeeding.  But those of us in the lactation field know that
all women do not exclusively breastfeed (with exclusive meaning no water
supplements, foods, or infant formula).  Magda Sachs has written about "styles of
breastfeeding." I would encourage the list to view her position paper at
AnotherLook in regard to styles of breastfeeding.
http://www.anotherlook.org   under position papers

Condemnation of a substance means that we have to know without reservation
that it and it alone caused the effects.  One cannot know this in regard to
human milk, unless mothers are exclusively breastfeeding.

Acceptance of human milk as the most contaminated food on earth, is based on
fact?  or supposition?  It is rather interesting to me that I am hearing
murmurs of the miracle of supplementation with DHA and AA in regard to
environmental toxins.  Rather clever response to the problem.  And, I might add, very
profitable, too.  Time to stop breastfeeding cause the world is too toxic.  Time
to go out and buy your plastic bottles, nipples, and pacifiers.  Don't forget
your packet of infant formula lined and stored in plastic with your convenient
plastic bottle of water.

What magic number of toxicity will the experts come up with in regard to
telling mothers to stop breastfeeding? Meanwhile, there will be no magic number to
stop infant formula usage because its safe, the industry says so....
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC






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