Dear Friends:
     Dr. Michel Odent has been working on this topic. His latest article uses
evidence from around the world to show that it is the prenatal, or
intrauterine exposure to toxins and pollutants that makes the big difference to the
health of babies. Breastfeeding is not the main concern, as evidence shows it has
protective effects even in children exposed to high levels of nasty things in
utero.
     The world is becoming a toxic place; there are chemicals and compounds
floating around now that never existed two generations ago. Nobody has
metabolic pathways to deal with these new compounds. Problems in the reproductive
tract are the first signs of pollution in any species. Humans are manifesting this
along with other creatures. Remember Rachel Carson and her classic "Silent
Spring" which was published around the same time that the eggshells of eagles
were discovered to be too weak for the baby birds to survive? This was a result
of DDT use. Congenital deformities have been reported in alligators and fish;
these are the cases that I can remember now, off the top of my head. There are
more.
     There are increasing rates of testicular cancers and undescended
testicles and hypospadias around the world now. Sperm banks word-wide have reported
dropping sperm counts over the last 50 years. We also know about the impact of
messing with physiology as a result of DES; the effects of that are carried
through at least into the second generation.
     Breastfeeding is something that everyone can do to help their child live
and prosper in an increasingly polluted world.
     warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE, craniosacral therapy
Adjunct faculty, Union Institute and University, Maternal and Child Health:
Lactation Consulting
Supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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