Response from La Leche League (Great Britain) to Tonight with
Trevor McDonald aired on ITV on Monday 5th April.

On Monday 5th April ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald examined the levels of toxic chemicals in breast milk. The programme was very supportive of breastfeeding and made a strong point that, despite mothers who choose to breastfeed knowing that they are making the best choice for their babies, the environment in which we live today exposes us to chemicals which build up in our bodies over time and may have negative effects on the growth and development of our babies.

This programme gave many strong reasons why mothers should take care about some of the products that they use and try to reduce the levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies and subsequently in their breast milk.

However, it failed to put this information into context regarding the alternatives to breastfeeding and the research that has been carried out regarding the positive effects of breastfeeding for mother and baby. The harmful effects that the chemicals have on a child's growth and development which were presented in the programme were taken from studies that compared background levels of these toxins in the child's environment - not the differences between breastfed and artificially fed babies.

The programme clearly stated that the chemicals that we should be concerned about have been used in our society for the last fifty years or so. In fact, it was repeatedly said that one of the groups of chemicals under consideration had been banned from use in the UK for the last 20 years. Numerous studies during this period have compared the physical and mental development of breastfed and artificially fed babies and it has been conclusively shown that breastfeeding enhances a baby's growth and development, along with the many immunological and emotional benefits that it also confers: breastfeeding your child, even in our polluted world, provides significant physical, mental and health benefits.

Many expectant or new mothers who saw this programme may not necessarily have separated the message of 'There are toxic chemicals in your breast milk' from 'Toxic chemicals are present in our bodies and are directly related to our environment, foods and lifestyle'.

La Leche League Great Britain fully understands the concerns of families who want only the best for their children. Taking steps to lower exposure to toxic chemicals is not only prudent but is becoming more essential in our industrialised world. However, breastfeeding still remains the safest and most beneficial way to feed your baby.

Further information:

1. Breastfeeding remains the best choice in a polluted world - La Leche League International   Full Text
2. Outcomes of breastfeeding vs formula feeding - La Leche League International   Full Text
3. Towards Healthy Environments for Children - World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action   Full Text
4. IBFAN Working Group on Chemical Residues in Breastmilk and Baby Foods   Full Text
5. Chemicals and Health in the Home: a guide to reducing your exposure to hazardous chemicals around the home - World Wildlife Fund UK   Full Text
6. Children and the unborn child: Exposure and susceptibility to chemical substances - Danish Environmental Protection Agency   Full Text
7. Towards the establishment of a priority list of substances for further evaluation of their role in endocrine disruption - preparation of a candidate list of substances as a basis for priority setting - European Commission DG ENV   Full Text
8. Healthy Milk, Healthy Baby: Chemical Pollution and Mother's Milk - Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)   Full Text