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.
Learn more
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.
Learn more about recommendations for breastfeeding in a chemical emergency.
Content Source
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: September 24, 2026
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: January 17, 2024
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.