Naomi,
I agree that this issue of toxins in human milk also holds true in regard to
hiv and breastfeeding.  In fact the similarities are quite remarkable.  We
supposedly see the virus in human milk and immediately jump to the conclusion
that this means that breastfeeding is dangerous and must be either modified
by pasteurization or totally discouraged.

The concern is more about hiv transmission than health outcomes.
Consequently we are willing to risk all the health consequences of not
breastfeeding in order to prevent the transmission of a virus.  If the end
result was better health for the infant, then that would make sense.  But
from where I stand I find myself hard pressed to believe that there are
better health outcomes in formula fed infants.

We know that toxins such as PCB's and PBDE's disrupt the immune system.
Likewise hiv/aids is about a compromised immune system.  The mammary gland is
an immunological organ.  It's prime function is to protect the infant from
any and every pathogen that infant will encounter.  So when we
discourage/stop or modify this system, we do risk the well-being of that
infant.  We may lower hiv transmission or lower the transfer of toxins.  But
at the same time we increase that child's risk of diseases and cancers
because they were not breastfed.

The way we feed our babies has become a cultural choice but the mammary
glands of the mother will always function as they have functioned for
thousands of years. It will produce milk no matter whether the mother wants
to breastfeed or not.  Biologically women have no choice once they give birth
and the placenta is expelled.  So telling a woman not to breastfeed is like
telling a woman not to cry, not to sweat, not to urinate, not to menstruate,
etc.  Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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