How to Avoid BPA Baby Bottles

By Rika Subana

bpa baby bottle

If you have plastic baby bottles and sippy cups that are old, scratched or have a cloudy, cracked appearance they should be thrown out. It is possible your plastic stuffs contain Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been suspected of being hazardous to humans since the 1930s. BPA is a component of plastics found in many commonly used products, including baby bottles, water bottles, food containers, aluminum can linings, CDs, and eyeglasses.

Effects on BPA Baby Bottles

Baby bottles are often an important part of nourishing our children during their first year of life.  BPA has linked prenatal exposure to a variety of disorders, including behavioral difficulties and early puberty in children, and estrogen imbalances, enlarged prostrates, and lowered sperm counts in adults. It’s also been connected to prostate cancer and breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and liver abnormalities and may interfere with fetal brain development. Perhaps the greatest concern is BPA’s effect on infants, whose developing brains are more susceptible to toxins.

Precaution of BPA Baby Bottles

How can you reduce your baby’s exposure to BPA baby bottles? In general, it’s best to avoid all number 7 plastics although not all of them contain BPA, instead choose number 1, 2, and number 4 plastics.

From now on, start doing these things below. Firstly, consider using powdered formula, rather than canned formula. Secondly, don’t give plastic toys to children who are teething. Thirdly, avoid canned sodas and canned food items with acidic contents. Also, use water bottles made from glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic. Another important thing is to avoid heat exposure for plastics used for storing food or beverages; wash plastic containers in cold or warm water and do not dry them in the dishwasher; avoid microwaving plastic containers.

Always use glass baby bottles, or those made with polypropylene and polyethylene. Pliable, milk-colored plastic does not contain BPA. Medela-brand bottles used to store breast milk are BPA-free. Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. Avoid using old, scratched plastic bottles. Some plastic wraps contain BPA, although Saran and other brands promise to be BPA free. Avoid BPA baby bottles, plastic water bottles, food cans (soups, beans) and beverage cans (soft drinks, soda).

Evenflo makes a Classic Nurser glass bottle that is available at a cheaper price than conventional plastic bottles, and is entirely free of BPA baby bottles. If your local store doesn’t carry glass bottles, you can find them cheaply online. A few manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to create free of BPA free baby bottles. Dr. Brown’s, Playtex, Evenflo and Gerber have specific bottles types made of polypropelyne or polyethylene that are BPA free. A few other smaller companies, such as ThinkGreen and BornFree, make free of BPA baby bottles, as well.

As it is said earlier, if you notice that a bottle or sippy cup has gotten scratched, has bite marks or is otherwise compromised, it’s best to toss it out and buy a new one. Although free of BPA baby bottles are considered to be safe, you can never be too sure when it comes to plastic. Considering the fact that these alarming research results came 25 years after these plastic bottles came into the marketplace, you may feel safer just sticking with glass bottles.

So why not spare your baby the risks associated with BPA by doing an online search for free of BPA baby bottles? They are now readily available from a number of online vendors, and are competitively priced. However your baby is fed, feeding time should be very comfortable and enjoyable for both of you.

Also, check out my other guide on Baby Name Meanings, Baby Mats and Baby Shower Wording!