Baby Bottles - What’s the Bottom Line?

Whether you are planning on breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby, or a combination of both, you’ve probably already got a selection of bottles, nipples and storage containers in mind or on your registry list. Nowadays, bottle safety is getting a lot of attention, so how do you know which products to choose? Which ones are safest for your little one?

Baby bottles are typically made of plastic. Plastic bottles may seem like the safer choice for babies, they are, after lighter and less breakable than glass. But plastics contain chemicals, some of which may be transferred into baby formula or breast milk.

A common plastic used in making baby bottles is called polycarbonate, which can release a hormone-disrupting chemical, Bisphenol-A (BPA) into the bottles’ contents, particularly during sterilizing and heating on the stove-top, but also just at room temperature. Bottles that have become scratched or damaged can leach up to nearly double the amount of new bottles.

Animal studies have shown that Bisphenol can interfere with development and can cause irreversible damage. These studies showed, in some cases, precancerous tumors and urinary tract infections. And the earlier the exposure, the greater the damage. Laboratory evidence suggests that exposure to BPA could be linked to breast and prostrate cancer, diabetes, obesity, neural, immune and reproductive problems, ADHD, early onset of puberty and autism.

Plastic bottles can also be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl, and the most toxic for IQ deficiencies, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, and reduced attention spans, as well as other behavioral problems. Soft PVC which had been used in the past to make nipples, pacifiers, and teething toys contains phthalates, hormone disrupting chemicals used as plastic softeners.

Other bottles may be made of polyethylene or polypropylene, neither of which contains hormone disrupting chemicals or other known toxic additives. But the plastic used in a particular baby bottle, nipple, or storage container may be difficult to identify when shopping. Often, bottles have no markings that indicate the type of plastic they are composed of. The most common place to look is on the bottom of the object, but if you can’t find it, contact the manufacturer.

Here are a few tips for choosing bottles and other products, and for using them safely:

• Select bottles and products made of polyethylene or polypropylene (look for recycling symbols 1, 2 or 5) or tempered glass.
• Avoid heating breast milk or formula over the stove or in the microwave in plastic; dangerous chemicals are more likely to leach when you heat in plastic.
• To avoid bacteria, look for scratches in plastic bottles. Glass bottles with cracks and chips should be recycled immediately.
• Avoid plastic bottles that have decorations printed on the inside. These can come off into formula when it’s heated.
• Routinely inspect nipple tips and around the rims of nipples checking for small cracks or tears in the material.

When choosing products for your baby, always read content labels and spend some time researching what you are buying for your child. If the contents are not clearly visible or if you have any concerns or questions, contact the manufacturer of the product before purchasing any products for your baby.