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6. Breastfeeding and the Environment
Breastfeeding is an environment-friendly activity and artificial feeding has adverse environmental impacts. Yet every breastfeeding advocate needs to know how to deal locally with recurring attacks on breastfeeding from media reports on contaminants in breastmilk. Advocates also need to stay informed about the fact that toxic chemicals are found in breast milk and what this means, based on the most current research regarding mother/baby health and breastfeeding. Review the scientific data, learn about key statements by environmental health and justice groups and relevant UN instruments, and develop a joint action plan for working more closely with the environmental movement towards a toxic-free future.
I. Environmental Impact on Our First Food - Prof. Penny Van Esterik, York University, Canada, Facilitator
This workshop will bring together key leaders in the breastfeeding and environmental social justice movement to share current knowledge and develop strategies for dealing with this complex and sensitive issue of concern to all of us.
- Environmental hazards and artificial feeding - Alison Linnecar, IBFAN Working Group on Contaminants and Chemical Residues
- Using the Stockholm Convention to reduce the global body burden of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) - Sharyl Patton, IPEN (International POPs Elimination Network),
II. Bosom Buddies: Working Towards a Toxic-free Future - Anwar Fazal,
WABA, Malaysia, Facilitator
A presentation of perspectives by breastfeeding and environmental social justice advocates on communicating about risks in infant feeding with particular attention to working with the media, bio-monitoring (testing through breastmilk), language issues and responding to local priorities. The perspectives will be presented in a conversation format with discussion from the participants.
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Sharyle Patton, Commonweal/IPEN, USA
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Prof. Penny Van Esterik, York University, Canada
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Alison Linnecar, IBFAN
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