The Imperfect Community

new053105 · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:56 pm Post subject: Retardants found in breastmilk

I saw this in our local paper today...scary!!!

http://www.northwestwatch.org/toxics/press_release_aug_05.asp

Jessica · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:51 am Post subject: Retardants found in breastmilk

I think I've heard bfing advocates say that because breastmilk is so healthy, the contamination factor isn't really all that significant.

I will say that I refuse to buy kids pajamas that are fire retardant. I hate 'em. They're stiff and smell weird. My kids sleep in sweats or boxers. The idea that pajamas will save my kids is so unlikely, it's almost irrelevant. In the unlikely event I would need such a thing, I would think smoke would be more of a concern.

Scout · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: Retardants found in breastmilk

That chemical, as well as many others, can be found in the amniotic fluid of every pregnant woman in America. Studies have shown conclusively that in areas with highest concentrations of this and other chemicals in the amniotic fluid, babies who are not breastfed show signs of damage from the chmicals, while breastfed babies do not. This is surprising, considering that breastfeeding should represent more extensive exposure. But based on data, it seems that breastmilk offers a protective effect from the chemicals.

This is not new research, and it gets trotted out at intervals. There's a lot of tensiopn over this issue between environmental scientists and the medical community. Breastmilk is tested because it's an easily accessible bodily fluid that shows measurable levels in proportion to exposure to pollutants, not because these people are studying the effects of toxins in breastmilk. But it's never presented that way by the media. The studies are taken out of context.

It does concern me that my kids may have been exposed to toxins in my milk, just like it concerns me that there were flame retardents in my amniotic fluid. But this is a cause for environmental changes, not a call to stop breastfeeding.

new053105 · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject: Retardants found in breastmilk

Well I researched the website, and it still says breastfeeding is best. So, Kristy, I agree.

But guess how it was presented in our local paper...it was a blip of the press release and that was it. So if I was some person who didn't think to research the issue further, it could freak someone out.

So, I went to the website where they did the study to get a better feel for what they were talking about.

If we don't have flame retardents...then what, our kids are at risk for burning??

Seems like things can just be a no win situation! I think I should just stop reading the news...it's all very depressing.

Scout · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:25 pm Post subject: Retardants found in breastmilk

Yeah, the media loves to use complex research to create alarmist little snippets. It's very annoying. Everytime they do the teasers for our local news, dh correctly paraphrases whatever they are saying as "Be afraid, be very afraid!" Fear mongering gets ratings and attention, unfortunately. It's amazing what can be behind things like this at times, too. For example, about two years ago, there were headlines everywhere that said "TV Good for Kids!" They had taken some little inconclusive bit of research and twisted it to say watching TV is good for kids, and the newspapers and magazines that are owned by the smae people who own the TV companies were trumpeting it all over the place. It's sickening, really. It makes me feel like I'm in that Ray Bradbury story where everyone is compelled by law to view a certain amount of advertizing each hour.

Ok, end of rant. Embarassed