Mothers Who Eat Fish Pass Benefits to Their Infants

In an article entitled “Holy Mackerel! Fish Is Good” the Wall Street Journal reported that the health benefits of eating fish outweigh any potential risks from the consumption of toxic chemicals in the fish. Independent studies by the Institute of Medicine and Harvard Medical School analyzed the data from over 200 existing studies and came to the following conclusions:

[F]ish consumption by pregnant or nursing women (a population that has recently been skittish about consuming fish) may have a beneficial effect on their infants, including improved visual acuity and cognitive development.

The studies stated that the evidence of adverse side effects from eating seafood is inconclusive. However,

The studies do uphold existing recommendations that women who are pregnant or nursing or who may become pregnant should avoid certain types of fish (including shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel) and should limit their intake of albacore, or white, tuna in order to minimize their exposure to the toxic substances. The studies also assert that children under 12 should steer clear of those fish too, and limit their consumption of albacore.

So, how much fish should breastfeeding women eat? The Harvard study concluded that pregnant and breastfeeding women should shoot for up to 12 ounces of fish per week, particularly the varieties of fish that are relatively high in omega-3 fatty acids like wild-caught salmon.

Source: Bernstein, Elizabeth. “Holy Mackerel! Fish Is Good.” Wall Street Journal 18 Oct. 2006: D1+