Environmental watch

March 8, 2007 | Print

Safer Plastics: Baby Bottles

We first took a look at safer plastic sippy cups, kids’ plates and utensils. Now we’re onto baby bottles.

Many clear plastics, called polycarbonates, used for baby bottles contain hormone disrupting chemicals like Bisphenol-A. These chemicals can leach into milk or formula when plastic bottles are heated. The leaching is worse if bottles are worn or scratched.

Polycarbonate bottles are usually clear in color and hard.

There are plastic baby bottles that use polypropylene, which is considered safe. Polypropylene bottles are cloudy, often colored, and squeezable.

Bottle nipples are also important to consider. The rubber nipples, brownish in color, contain low levels of nitrosamines, which are considered carcinogenic. The FDA regulates the level of nitrosamines in baby bottle nipples, but why even get close to them.

Use the clear bottle nipples which are silicone, same for pacifiers.

Our baby bottle solutions (and check out Bottle Feeding Basics for our favorite brands and feeding tips):

Identify safe plastics:

• Check the triangle on the bottom for a number. If there’s no number, call the manufacturer. This detective trick is less helpful with baby bottles, as most don’t have the triangle.

• Choose, # 1, 2, 4 and 5.

• Avoid # 3, 6 and 7.

• Use silicone nipples and pacifiers (the clear ones) or the chemical and nitrosamine free Natursutten natural rubber pacifier.

Try these baby bottles and breastmilk storage bags:

BornFree
BPA free plastic or glass.

Medela
Including their breastmilk storage bottles and milk storage bags.

Adiri Natural Nurser
Shaped to mimic breastfeeding for babies less enthusiastic about bottle feeding.

Green to Grow

Gerber Fashion Tints

Playtex Nurser or Drop-Ins
The inserts are safe polyethylene.

Evenflo Glass Bottles

Mother’s Own Milk Storage Bags
Our favorite for breastmilk storage.

New Glass Baby Bottles
More colorful and unique designs.

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