Some Thoughts On Human Milk

Someone on my facebook feed posted this article: The Wonder of Breasts.

I read it and was writing up my comment but in the meantime the poster deleted the post. I think she saw it turning into a huge debate. Can't blame her, but I still feel I need to comment on this.

Here's what I have to say.

My two cents are that this article is over-dramatizing. What do you think babies who don't breastfeed will eat? Formula is full of toxins too--and without all the beneficial prebiotics, probiotics, and immune protection found in breastmilk. Formula comes from cows milk or soy. Cows are exposed to toxins. Don't even get me started on the way dairy farms are run and what dairy cows are fed and what meds they are given. Soy isn't any better. Unless it's organically grown, soy crops are sprayed with tons of pesticides. All of these end up in formula. Once a baby gets older, they begin eating food, which will also contain some toxins. Unfortunately, our world today is contaminated everywhere. To some extent, we've always been exposed to contamination. But our bodies are amazing and have amazing functions to help keep us healthy. If we ourselves eat healthy foods, we help our systems out and reduce our own exposure to toxins. Eating healthy, whole-foods and supporting organic farming, exercising, and being mindful of what chemicals we are exposed to, are the best ways to help ourselves and our children be healthy. We should be focusing on improving our environment and being more eco-friendly rather than worry about whether or not we should breastfeed our babies.

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If you are a reader of this blog, you'll already know that I am a breastfeeding supporter. If it's what works for the Mama and baby pair, then it's what they need to do. And society should support that. And no Mama should be scared into thinking she's intoxicating her baby by breastfeeding. On the other hand, she should be encouraged to keep breastfeeding because human milk offers so many benefits. If the Mama is also mindful about eating whole, healthy, organic (when possible) foods, then she can reduce her own exposure and help not only herself, but her children too.