The healthy baby bottle

(Sep 24, 2007) When feeding baby, it’s not just the formula that’s important. You need to choose the right bottle as well. Recent studies are showing that plastic bottles may not be a good choice after all.

Toxic baby products
One of the basic chemical compounds of plastic baby bottles and nipples is bisphenol A (BPA). It’s come under scrutiny after scientists and researchers have documented the health effects from BPA and warned about its health effects. Bisphenol A is now considered an endocrine-disruptor, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone estrogen. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can duplicate, block or exaggerate hormonal responses that control development of the brain, the reproductive system, and other functions.

Of particular concern is this chemical in baby bottles. Infants are more at risk from this chemical. Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as: permanent changes to genital tract; increase prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; and hyperactivity.

There is enough concern about this issue that there are several campaigns afoot to get the substance banned from children's toys and infants baby bottles. Environmental Defence has an online petition urging the Canadian government and John Baird to take action against bisphenol A. The Bisphenol A Organization has a listing of upcoming U.S. regulations against the chemical.

Editor's Note: On Feb 7, Environmental Defence released it's shattering study on toxic baby bottles. More than 90 percent of the bottles tested were found to leach bisphenol A. Read more about the study: Toxic Baby Bottles in Canada: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Polycarbonate Baby Bottle.

Good and bad bottles
An even more effective way to protest is to simply stop buying plastic baby bottles. If for practical reasons you need to use plastic bottles, avoid those rigid plastics ones made from #7 polycarbonate since these tend to leak BPA. A less-toxic options available is made from #5 plastic. This opaque, less-shiny plastic is thought not to leach BPA. You can find the plastic number on the bottom of most bottles.

The almost safest option is tempered glass since there is no chance of any leakage of any kind. More and more companies are starting to manufacture glass bottles once again and consumer demand is at its highest.

Storing breast milk
When storing and freezing breast milk, use wide-mouth glass canning jars, which won't crack when heated or chilled. Nipples or soothers made of #3 PVC should be passed over. This is the soft plastic, also found in soft squeeze or chew toys, has high levels of toxic chemicals, known as adipates and phthalates that easily leak into food. Both these chemicals have been linked to liver, testicular cancer and nerve damage. Clear silicone bottle nipples and pacifiers are safer than plastic or latex ones.

Recommended choices
Here is a list of safe plastic baby bottles complied by the U.S. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) from their Smart Plastics Guide.

Glass Bottles any brand

Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser

Born Free 9 oz. Wide Neck,Twin Pack Bottles

Medela breast milk bags

Lamby REMOND Glass Bottles

Gerber Nuk Nipples Orthodontic Silicone

They also recommend avoiding the use of plastic bottles and sippy cups altogether. If you do use these types of plastic bottles and cups follow their recommended precautions:

Discard old, scratched baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Plastic that shows signs of wear, such as scratches or a cloudy, crackled appearance leach chemicals more readily

Heat foods and drinks outside of the plastic and then transfer into the plastic only after they are cool enough to eat or drink.

Anne Colvey is a Montreal based freelance writer. Shelagh McNally, editor of Green Living Online, updated this article.


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