Environmental Working Group Articles From A Pediatrician

Avoiding environmental pollutants during (and before!) breastfeeding

At GetzWell we hold that, whenever possible, breastfeeding is the absolute best way to feed your baby.

With the many benefits to your child’s cognitive development, immune system, gut health, and bonding, the protective and health promoting properties of breastmilk are nothing short of amazing! At the same time, the reality of our modern world means that pollutants that contaminate our bodies on a daily basis can be passed on to our little ones. Breasts absorb and store chemicals in their fatty tissue, some of which is transferred during milk production. The presence of toxins is higher in first-time moms and during the first months of breastfeeding, so it is never too early to limit your exposure.

Spread the Word: Say NO to Flame Retardants!

In a previous post, we alerted you to the many toxins found in baby products and nurseries. Of these toxins, flame retardants are one of the most pervasive. These are synthetic chemicals found in and on couches, mattresses, and many other products that parents use on a day-to-day basis, including car seats, changing pads, nursery gliders, nursing pillows, toys, etc.

What’s especially alarming is according to recent studies from Duke University flame retardants spread and accumulate in dust and in our bodies.

More Toxic Truths = More Reason to Limit Your Baby’s Exposure to Unsafe Products

Healthy Child Healthy World recently published “The Toxic Takeover of Baby Nurseries: Chemicals of Concern Found in Almost Every Common Product and Furnishing,” a staggering report featuring a long list of toxins in everything from baby shampoos to cribs to wipes and their potential health risks to babies.

Also, in just 7 minutes you can watch The Story of Cosmetics from the Story of Stuff Project about the harmful chemicals – some cancer causing! – that manufacturers put in our personal and baby care products.

The sum of these studies — and many more — points to an important truth: we can no longer turn a blind eye to the toxic ingredients our children are exposed to every day.

Are you using safe personal care products for your child?

Skin Deep is a safety guide to personal care products for children and adults brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG brings together a team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers that pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and their own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Their research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

Environmental Working Group

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