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February 15, 2007 | Print

Safer Plastics: Sippy Cups and Feeding Gear

Here’s the kick-off for our Safer Plastics Series!

Plastics are durable, colorful and everywhere in children’s products. Each month we’ll focus on one aspect of plastic in children’s lives. Today, sippy cups, kids’ plates and utensils.

Plastics have been found to contain hormone disrupting chemicals like Bisphenol-A and phthalates that can leach into the food and drink they contain. As well as the mouths of children who chew them. Certain types of plastics are confirmed to have these chemicals.

Identify safe plastics:

• Check the triangle on the bottom of the container for a number. If there’s no number, contact the manufacturer. Unfortunately, a brand using safe plastic for one product may not use that same safer plastic for all their products.
• Choose # 1, 2, 4 and 5.
• Avoid # 3, 6 and 7.

Use plastics safely:

• Don’t heat food or drink in plastic containers.
• Throw away scratched, hazy and worn plastics.

Try these safer plastics and plastic alternatives:

Sippy Cups and Kids’ Water Bottles

BornFree Trainer Cups
Our favorite sippy cup for little ones, at 12 months we move to the Drinking Cups.

Avent Magic Trainer Cup
A starter sippy cup with restricted flow and handles.

The First Years Take & Toss Spill Proof Cups
Good for toddlers who can handle regular flow. They are dishwashable, but not very durable for repeated use.

Gerber Color Change Fun Grips
Kelly used the small size for Oliver. She started him at 6 months.

Gerber Fun Grips Sport Bottle
A larger size for older kids.

Gerber Soft Starter
A starter sippy cup with restricted flow.

Medela Baby Cup Feeder
For feeding breastmilk to babies.

Playtex Sipster
A sippy cup for 9 months and up. But don’t get the First Sipster which contains PVC, a bad plastic.

Playtex Quick Straw
For 2 year olds and up.

Foogo Sippy Cup from Thermos
Keeps drinks cold, with or without handles.

Sassy MAM Spill-Proof Cups

Klean Kanteen Sippy Cup
2 years and up, aluminum. For preschoolers, we like the sports top on a 12 ounce bottle.

Feeding Gear

Arrow Sip-A-Bowl

First Years Tumble Mates

Sassy E-Z Grip First Feeding Bowls, Less Mess Toddler Bowl

Sassy Ideal Temp Feeding Spoons, Less Mess Toddler Spoons, Temperature Sensitive Forks and Spoons

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