Can I get my breastmilk tested for toxicants?
If you believe that you have been exposed to unusually high levels of chemicals, either from occupational exposures, or from a diet extremely high in contaminated fish, discuss this with your health care provider. Before you consider getting your breast milk tested, however, it is important to consider that to date, no harmful effects have been demonstrated from typical chemical exposures from breast-feeding. (There is no routine testing of breastmilk available in the United States at this time. However, private laboratories may be able to test your milk for a range of chemicals, for a hefty price.) See fact sheet “Why Breast-feeding is Still Best for Baby.
If you believe that you have been exposed to unusually high levels of chemicals, either from occupational exposures, or from a diet extremely high in contaminated fish, discuss this with your health care provider. Before you consider getting your breast milk tested, however, it is important to consider that to date, no harmful effects have been demonstrated from typical chemical exposures from breast-feeding. (There is no routine testing of breastmilk available in the United States at this time.
