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Safer Baby Bottles, Without the BPA
What if the bottle you are using to nourish your baby is potentially making your mini-me sick with toxic BPA? Find out how to bottle-feed your baby safely when the breast is unavailable.
© iStockphoto_YsaL
The Bad News: Babies suck: It's what they do. (And see how cute they are doing it!) Unfortunately for moms on the go, 95% of all baby bottles on the market are made from bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a synthetic hormone that mimics estrogen and is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic for water bottles, food containers, and, unbelievably, baby bottles. Studies have found that even very low level BPA exposure can lead to endocrine disruption, altered mammary gland development, prostate cancer and insulin resistance. But because the nation's regulation statute for industrial chemicals like BPA hasn't been updated since the 1976 Toxic Substance Control Act, bisphenol A isn't banned from bottles.
The Good News: Even though the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to create an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for BPA, your tot can avoid it all together with new and affordable BPA-free bottles and pacifiers. Companies are now using non-toxic alternatives like polyamide (PA) and polyethersulfone (PES), which are heat resistant and clinically tested to be baby-safe. You can be a part of the healthy bottle movement by signing a petition to the CEOs of major bottle manufacturers like Avent, Disney/First Years, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex asking them to ban BPA from their products. On the horizon: Prototypes of BPA-free baby bottles that also mimic the human breast, making bottle-feeding an even more natural an healthy experience.
The News You Use: According to speech language pathologist Laurie Chess, "the muscles used for sucking are the same muscles used for speech production and articulation. Strong sucking leads to good for clear speech." Not only are the BPA-free bottles healthier for your baby, but also are developmentally minded. These "smart bottles" sense a baby's sucking pressure, and adjust to encourage stronger sucking. They also feature anti-colic venting systems that minimize air entering a baby's system along with the liquid. Oh, and did we mention, the BPA alternatives are recyclable materials? Good for baby and for eco-minded mothers everywhere.
These bisphenol A-free plastic bottles, come from industry leaders BornFree and help reduce the chances of colic. How? Their innovative air vent system reduces the amount of painful colic-making air being ingested along with mother's milk.
Next time you're at Toys R Us perusing the aisles of endless baby gear, make sure to stop by the bottle area and check our the happy-colored Evenflo bisphenol-A free bottles. They are made from polypropylene, a 100% recyclable material, and at $2.99 for a pack of three, are affordable enough to buy in whatever size batch you need.
This baby bottle is free of phthalates, lead, PVCs and bisphenol A. It is made from polyethersulfone (PES) plastic, a non-toxic yet highly durable polymer and comes in 100% recycled packaging.
Speech pathologists have found a direct correlation between strong sucking ability as a babe and good verbal articulation as an adult. As your baby learns how to control the flow rate of the bottle, depending on how hard they suck, the Nuby provides a drip-free feeding experience that is anatomically correct and healthy, free of BPA, PVCs and phthalates.
Babies will transition from mommy to bottle easily with this silk-touch silicon nipple and baby-safe polypropylene body. The air-free bottom valve is designed to assure less air is taken in during feeding, which means less colic.
This little guy is made from natural rubber from hevea brasiliensi (a.k.a. rubber tree). It contains no artificial colors or chemicals, and will keep your little one contentedly sucking away, as you enjoy a little peace and serenity.
