{"id":22243,"date":"2025-02-27T21:26:19","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T20:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=22243"},"modified":"2025-02-27T21:27:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T20:27:48","slug":"reducing-microplastics-in-breast-milk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/reducing-microplastics-in-breast-milk\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Avoid Microplastics in Breast Milk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Microplastics are virtually everywhere \u2013 in our drinking water, on our household products, and even in our brains. With the popular saying that “<\/span>best is breast,<\/span><\/a>” it’s understandable that moms-to-be are concerned about the transmission of microplastics via breast milk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Microplastics were named by Richard Thompson, a biologist who participated in a beach clean-up in 1993. After large plastics break down, they become smaller and more minute, resulting in microplastics. Since plastic never breaks down into organic material, this is alarming for the environment and humans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a>, 75% of United States mothers decided to breastfeed in 2023. However, the numbers are dropping each year. In 2019, 83% of new mothers were breastfeeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Breast milk has a plethora of health benefits. Research has found that it protects newborns from disease and can also benefit the mother by lowering her risk of ovarian cancer. <\/span>The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends<\/span><\/a> that new mothers breastfeed their<\/span> babies for<\/span> the first six months of their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies have found that <\/span>contaminants<\/span><\/a> like <\/span>pesticides<\/span><\/a> and chemicals are in breast milk. However, with recent concerns rising about microplastics, should mothers be worried?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Findings in Breast Milk<\/span><\/h2>\n

This isn’t the first time pollutants have been found in breast milk. In fact, in 1951, <\/span>a survey of 32 women<\/a><\/strong> found that 30 had small amounts of the pesticide DDT<\/strong>, which was eventually <\/span>banned in the United States in 1972<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Pesticides have been <\/span>linked to cancer<\/span><\/a>, neurotoxicity, and disruption of the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, children’s products, vehicles, electronics, and furniture all contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which in the 1970s were chemicals found in breast milk<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong> Today, BFRs have been <\/span>found in placentas<\/span><\/a>, showing how deep they can travel within the body and impact the baby. Some European countries have <\/span>banned BFRs<\/span><\/a> to protect the environment and human health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, a <\/span>study found that plastic particles<\/span><\/a>, AKA microplastics, were in 75% of the 34 breast milk that they studied. Other studies have found breast milk in placentas, heart tissue, the brain, and blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The microplastics found in the study were made up of polyethylene, PVC, and polypropylene.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Microplastics are <\/span>endocrine disrupters<\/span><\/a>, meaning they change the <\/span>body’s hormone levels<\/span><\/a> can impact reproductive and neurological health, and alter behaviors in learning and parenting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Infants are incredibly susceptible to <\/span>chemicals and plastics<\/span><\/a>, however, research finds that breastfeeding is still incredibly important for both baby and mom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of breastfeeding<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n