Pesticides in Breastmilk ?

[Rochwen]

Ok I've just read in Remo Largo's book 'Baby Years' that studies have shown that breastmilk contains a very high concentration of pesticides. He explains that we all store the pesticides we take in via our food in our body fat and breastmilk utilises our body fat and thus the therein contained pesticides gets into the milk.

Dr Remo Largo is a very well respected paediatrician in Switzerland and his book is read by most pregnant women in the country. He's very pro breastfeeding but does honestly discuss all the pros and cons of breastfeeding.

So, have you ever heard of this before? Why does noone tell us about that.

Studies show it is still better to breastfeed, despite environmental contaminants it still has many benefits over formula. It has been discussed on MN a few times before. I'll be back in a moment with links.

Thanks Franny.

It won't put me off breast feeding but noone ever told me about it.

This is a good webpage on the subject . Basically the fact that environmental contaminants are found in breastmilk means that we should work hard to remove the pollutants from the environment, not that we should stop breastfeeding. The same environmental contaminants are found in formula - cows don't live in a pollutant free world, either.

There is a theory which states that this is partly why are designed to put on weight during pregnancy - to provide relatively pure stores of fat to be released during breastfeeding (contaminants build up in fat over the course of our lives). It also lends weight to the advice that you shouldn't diet while breastfeeding - the toxins released during weightloss can be transferred into the milk as well.

There will be pesticides in breastmilk but those same pesticides will also be in the cow's milk used to make formula and the water used to make up the bottles - so breastmilk is still best . All you can try to do is limit your own exposure to pesticides and other contaminents and know that your child is benefitting in so many ways from your breastmilk

Rochwen it is just part of living in a polluted world, sadly. It shouldn't affect anyone's decision to breastfeed, at all, because the benefits are still so great. It is another reason to think about reducing pollutants in your life, wherever you can. I'll be back with another link which suggests the top ways that you can do this

I'd heard about it but I know how many hormones and pesticides your average cow is exposed to. Also FYI, the fat you put on during pregnancy which is used to make milk - hasn't been kicking around as long as your long stores of fat, hence has less exposure.

Frannyandzooey we're having similar thoughts tonight!

This is the press release from the LLL about how to reduce contaminants:

It is impossible to reduce exposure to all contaminants. However, for those who would like to reduce contact with chemicals, especially before pregnancy and during pregnancy and lactation, the following suggestions may be helpful.

10 Simple Steps to Help Reduce the Level of Chemicals in Your Body

1. Avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. The levels of contaminants have been found to be higher in those who smoke and drink alcoholic beverages.
2. Avoid pesticides and lead-based paints. Be aware when purchasing homes and buildings that have been treated with pesticides for termites and/or older homes that might have lead-based paints.
3. Reduce consumption of animal fats. In general, eat a variety of foods low in animal fats, remove skin and excess fat from meats and poultry. Avoiding high-fat dairy products may reduce the potential burden of fat-soluble contaminants.
4. Increase consumption of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Thoroughly wash and peel fruits and vegetables to help eliminate the hazard of pesticide residues on the skin. When available, eat food grown without fertilizer or pesticide application.
5. Reduce consumption of freshwater fish. Avoid swordfish and shark or freshwater fish from waters reported as contaminated by local health agencies.
6. Limit exposure to common chemicals. Common chemicals include solvents found in paints, non-water based glues, furniture strippers, nail polish, and gasoline fumes.
7. Limit exposure to dry-cleaned garments. Remove the plastic cover of dry-cleaned clothing, and air out the garments in a room with open windows for 12-24 hours.
8. Limit exposure to incinerator products. Try to avoid contact with incinerator discharge (smoke and ash), preserved wood, or produce grown near incinerators.
9. Avoid occupational exposure to chemical contaminants. For those in the workforce, attempt to avoid occupational exposure to chemical contaminants and seek improved workplace chemical safety standards for all employees, especially pregnant and lactating women.

10. Avoid bringing contaminant residue into the home. Encourage other family members to be sensitive to contaminant residue they may inadvertently bring into the home

Yes jenkey it kind of shows that a lot of us have heard about this before

it is sad to think there are pollutants in breastmilk but it is still by far the best substance to feed your baby

There was a Trevor MacDonald type prog on it a few years ago - a group of mums I know in Nottingham took part in it and had breastmilk tested. So it has def been in the media over here.

I watched that programme when I was pregnant and I remember getting really upset and crying all night because they didn't make enough effort to re-iterate that the benefits still outweigh the negatives.

No but that wouldn't make much of a headline or a documentary would it jenkel

"Breastmilk still fine despite environmental pollutants shocker"

sorry Jenkey

yeah I know, but I think it's there responsibility to push the pros of breastfeeding as one bit of 'negative' breastfeeding press can put of those who may have been reluctant in the first place.

Oh yes! Sorry, I agree with you

just putting the cynical point of view across - they are unlikely to make that point as it is not very newsworthy - whereas some information that they can twist to make it look as if breastfeeding is dangerous, is very newsworthy indeed

it's funny though because now i would be able to watch a programme like that rationally but when I was pregnant everything upset me - I had to stop watching loads of programmes like ER for example as it made me cry every week!

Yes I had to stop reading things like crime novels that I used to enjoy, and I still can't watch the news

Dp comes home with little snippets of what he thinks will be a good story about some violent death or other and I have to say "I do NOT want to hear that "

thanks for the LLL info on reducing contaminents BTW, I'm reading a book 'the real good life' at the moment that has similar info but that is a really good checklist.

better go now, am meant to be 'planning' our trip to marwell zoo tomorrow and DH will want to know what I've been up to in a minute!

Oh please give my love to the ring tailed lemurs if they are still there! They were may favourites as a child

When I was pregnant with dd in 2005 I read all the literature available on breastfeeding and even bought the breastfeeding bible by Hannah Lothropp but it was not mentioned anywhere. It wasn't even listed on the NHS advantage and disadvantages of different types of feeding leaflet thingy.

If it is that well-known a fact why does it not feature in the current literature?

There's probably no point in putting it in a leaflet of pros and cons - how would it be phrased? Breastmilk reflects the fact we live in a polluted world, and so does formula...maybe?

You could say that breastfed babies are less exposed to chemicals because they do not come into contact with the water and plastics of the bottles and teats, but I am not sure if that is correct or if the total exposure is about equal.