At a glance
Breastfeeding is recommended for most women despite environmental and chemical exposures. The benefits of breastfeeding for most infants outweigh the potential risk of infectious disease, metals, and chemical exposures through breast milk.
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Anthrax exposure usually should not keep a mother from breastfeeding.
Mothers should try to reduce their exposure to environmental chemicals while breastfeeding.
Infants can be exposed to lead through breast milk. This can have long-term effects.
How mercury affects breastfeeding mothers and infants and how to limit mercury exposure from fish.
Most mothers who work around chemicals can safely breastfeed their infants.
Mothers exposed to riot control agents need to take extra precautions before breastfeeding.