Why on earth would you use a picture of a baby being bottle-fed in an article about breastfeeding? The message - that breastfeeding has really important benefits - is there, but by showing a picture of a baby with a bottle, you perpetuate the idea that bottle feeding is the norm.

A picture is worth a thousand words - picturing a baby with a bottle positions this as the normal way to feed a baby, no matter what the article says.

I am curious about what is used in new foam and how safe it is? We live in SA and chemical free / Organic matrasses and furniture are unheard of, I have been avoiding buying new stuff in the belief that the chemicals eventually dissipate, but reading this makes me think I was wrong!?

Rebekka - Honestly, I chose that picture because I couldn't find one of a breastfeeding baby that I liked. I'm sorry if you feel it negated the message of the post.

Annie - I'm going to look into that a little a see what I can dig up from our researchers. If I find any good information, I'll post about it!

I find it absolutely preposterous that a photo of an infant bottlefeeding is included in this article - this completely sends out the wrong message and idealises formula feeding as normal when it is not - are you suggesting that women should bottlefeed with formula until human milk is devoid of chemicals? We'd have an awfully long wait, the planet may have come to its demise by then, helped along by profit greedy formula manufacturers! Many studies have been done which prove that even with chemicals/toxins in breastmilk it is still healthier to feed a baby human milk as opposed to formula, the health benefits are unequivocal. In fact there are many harmful chemicals present in formula milk - something that the manufacturers don't publicise on the ingredients label, wonder why! - this information ought to have been included in the EWG article, as the article stands it is enough to incite panic in women uninformed of the full facts, to cease breastfeeding and opt for formula - not good! The following link provides information on the contaminants found in infant formula:
http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Contaminants.pdf
Manufacture, transportation and waste from formula feeding and associated products also has a highly negative effect on the environment. This is highlighted in the following report by science writer Dia L Michels:
http://members.aol.com/diamichels/greenbm.htm
The EWG does admirable work in bringing to public attention factors which contribute to harm in our environment and pollution of the earths resources etc, but in order to retain integrity as a serious environmentally friendly organisation the EWG must make a greater effort to present articles which are more balanced and factual in their content and reporting.
Re: Amanda's comment
Please do not take offence but with regards to being unable to find a photo of a breastfeeding infant which you liked there are many sites out there which feature tasteful, (pardon the unintentional pun, lol!) beautiful photographs and artwork of babies being breastfed. For future reference try the photo albums and galleries on breastfeeding.com or the babymilkaction site. I'm sure they would permit copyright as it would be for a good cause.

Sarah, see the second paragraph of the answer, which begins "But breast feeding is important for many health reasons. Health professionals advise that women always breast feed when they can." It goes on to advise women how to reduce their exposures to PBDEs, and links back to the report which includes a sidebar titled "Breast Milk is Still Best". From the sidebar, snip:

Evidence of the accumulation of chemicals in women’s bodies and breast milk may prompt mothers to question the safety of their breast milk as a food for their baby. However, the evidence is clear: Women should breastfeed their children and continue to do so for as long as possible. Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits to both mother and child. In fact, careful study of babies’ toxic exposures indicates that it might be even more important for mothers who are concerned about their exposure to toxic chemicals to breastfeed their babies.

Thanks for the site recommendations! I've posted a new photo that I really like -- that's a baby that looks loved.