I'm Afraid For My Baby--Poison in My Milk!!!

[KermitII63]

I just came home to a teflon pan I had left on the burner--the flame was on low and the pan was empty for 2 hrs. The house had a chemical smell and I opened the windows and took my baby outside. We were inside less than 5 min but it was long enough for me to develop nausea, a weird feeling in my nose, and a mild headache and some dizziness. I'm afraid for my baby and I'm afraid the toxins are in my milk. If they were in my milk, how long will it take for the toxins to get to my milk? Should I pump and dump? I've been airing out the house for 15 minutes. Is that enough? He fell asleep nursing, seems to be fine...should I keep him awake? I'm on the phone with poison control and they say it isnt a problem, but I'm not convinced. They say birds die b/c they are a different species, but I feel that my baby and I are so sensitive. I want to do everything to limit exposure.

[Equuskia]

I wouldn't worry about the toxins. Very little will get into your milk. I would highly suggest to throw away your teflon pans though! You are right about birds dying because of teflon fumes. Have you heard of "canary in a coal mine"? Canaries were used to detect carbon monoxide, methane and other toxic fumes in a coal mine. Since they sang, they provided both a visual and an auditive cue to miners. Since they were more sensitive, they would die first if there were toxic fumes, allowing miners enough time to escape.

[Natsuki]

Here's a good link about Teflon: http://www.ewg.org/reports/toxicteflon

I would get rid of your pans and not worry about the one-time exposure too much. Air your house out for a few hours before going back if possible (windows open, fans running, good ventilation).

[PatioGardener]

I also would not worry or pump and dump. Short exposure to probably a very very small amount.

It must have been a frightening time for you - sorry you experienced it!

[KermitII63]

Thank you so much for the reassurance...I just got home after airing out the home for a few hours and I've had a chance to calm down a bit...I've already put my non-stick pans in the trash. That link was also really helpful and I've fwded it to my close friends and family. I did more research on Calphalon and found out their non-stick line is not teflon, but it's still plastic and off gasses at temperatures above 500 degrees. It's so frustrating that most of us have grown up using non-stick not knowing the dangers. I've tried so hard to keep toxins out of my home and I feel like every time I turn around something big has slipped by me. Well, at the end of the day, at least we're all okay. Thanks again for the advice and support.

[littlemomma]

what kind of pans should she replace them with?

[Chamomile Girl]

Cast iron is the best! Plus if you leave it on for hours it just...gets hot.

[pumpkinhead]

Stainless steel and cast iron are good teflon replacers. I agree with the pps.