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How to find safe baby bottles

By Lori Bongiorno

Posted Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:29am PDT

More from The Conscious Consumer blog

Confused about which baby bottles to buy? You're not alone. What should be a relatively simple decision has been complicated by conflicting reports about bisphenol A (BPA), a controversial chemical that can seep into liquids when polycarbonate plastic bottles are heated.

The National Toxicology Program has some concern about the effects of early exposures to BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland. The Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, says the levels we're exposed to are too low to cause harm.

While we're waiting for more research, it makes sense to take the "better to be safe than sorry approach." Luckily, BPA is easily avoided.

Use glass bottles

They've been making a comeback lately because they are the healthiest choice for your baby and the planet. They don't leach toxic chemicals, aren't made from petroleum (a non-renewable resource), and you can easily recycle them. Evenflo, BornFree, and Dr. Brown's all make glass versions.

The downside is that tempered glass bottles can break, crack, and chip. So be sure to inspect bottles regularly and never let your toddler roam around with one. Some innovative manufacturers are adding silicone sleeves to deal with breakage and make bottles easier for babies to grip. Check out Wee Go and Siliskin bottles.

Choose safer plastics

There are a growing number of safer options for those who prefer the convenience and affordability of plastic. You can avoid polycarbonate by looking for a recycling code #7 or the initials "PC" on the bottom of bottles. If a bottle is unlabeled, call the manufacturer or choose another brand. Bottles made from polypropylene (recycling code #5) and PES are safer alternatives.

Several manufacturers are now making BPA-free claims on packaging. Consumer Reports says the following bottles had negligible levels of BPA in independent lab tests: Born Free, Evenflo Classic Without BPA Custom Flow, Medela Breast Milk Feeding and Storage Set, Nuby Non-Drip by Luv n'care, and MAM Silk-Touch Nipple Anti-Colic Valve by Sassy, Inc.

It's wise to take precautions when using any plastic bottle. Don't microwave in them. Instead, place bottle in a bowl of warm water to take the chill off or heat liquids separately. Sarah Janssen at the Natural Resources Defense Council recommends avoiding the dishwasher and harsh detergents.

The same principles apply when you're shopping for "sippy" cups. You'll also find a growing array of stainless steel versions that are more durable, but also more costly.

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Showing 1 - 15 of 19 comments

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Posted by JV Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:45am PDT
"the levels we're exposed to are too low to cause harm." Hmm...so "a little" arsenic would be okay to ingest too?
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Posted by mraff2@verizon.net Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:15pm PDT
oh okay so ill just drink a little anti-freeze, my child will use glass...
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Posted by greenmomma Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:07pm PDT
Why bother with any of these? Breastfeeding is ALWAYS the best option for the baby, the mama and the planet!
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Posted by Bill T Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:44pm PDT
Not everyone can breastfeed all the time.
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Posted by greenmomma Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:38pm PDT
You are right Tom, but most of the time, it's because the mamas don't get enough support. I had a LOT of trouble nursing my first. A La Leche League Leader came to my house, discovered that my baby needed a small surgery and we were able to nurse successfully. Too many doctors give up too easily, causing the mamas to give up.
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Posted by greenmomma Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:42pm PDT
I meant Bill - sorry!
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Posted by Shannon H Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:52pm PDT
i work with infants everyday and i am seeing more and more of the born free botles. the babies seem to like the nipples and the bottles themselves do not leak. the bottles i least like would be the dr.browns while they are available in glass the straw in the center holds milk and somtimes leaks. glass is better if you want to be safe, even if you are nursing at some point you will have to pump and when you do use glass.
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Posted by LindsayH Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:58am PDT
While there is no question that breast milk is the best option for babies up to 6 mos. - 1yr...some of us are unable to breastfeed for that long. I suffered a severe infection stemming from complications from my son's birth and HAD to stop breastfeeding when he was a month old so that I could go on a rigorous course of antibiotics that were too dangerous to take while breastfeeding. I was extremely upset about having to stop breastfeeding while he was still so little, but he's now a VERY healthy 21lb 10-month old little angel. While breastfeed is the best option in a perfect world, I want moms to know that it doesn't make them bad mothers if they stop (or have to stop) early. We shouldn't feel guilty as long as we are doing what is best for our children!
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Posted by EnCee Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:14am PDT
Thanks be! My kids are 16 & 21 and I used nothing but glass bottles for them - and let me tell you everyone I knew thought I was nuts to do so! I didn't have the $$ to spend on a sterilizer, so that meant daily boiling of the bottles in a large pot - 5 minutes at a rapid boil is the standard for disinfecting by the way - and my kids were so very healthy! They almost never "spit up" their food and were never "colicky" either. It was my firm belief that plastic containers were a no-no for the little ones. A side story here.....when my son was about 7 months old we went to church on a Sunday morning. Myself, my husband, my daughter (then 5 ) and my son were coming out of the church after services when my daughter unexpectedly pulled on my skirt to get my attention. Before I could stop it I dropped the baby bottle I had just taken out of my bag to give to my son. Well, it hit the pavement and smashed. People all around us were just apalled. No, I'm not kidding here. I actually had one fellow church-goer (who also had young kids) tell me how ridiculous it was to carry a glass bottle "in this day and age". She said, and I quote, "Plastic is just so much safer! Don't you know that?" We got plenty of glares and mumbled complaints from others too as were cleaning up the glass! So goes it for foods too everyone. Buy that baby food, juice, whatever in glass containers as well. The cartons are not too bad, but I'd keep away from plastic juice bottles - and milk bottles for that matter. Find glass or cartons instead. Good to hear that the news is really getting out about this!
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Posted by gramma Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:05pm PDT
why is everything okay until the public has used it for a few yers then ITS NOT healthy for you?Whos pulling our strings?
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Posted by MochaMixx Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:24am PDT
Here Here Gramma! Nevermind the men behind the curtain.
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Posted by The mountain Rider Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:34pm PDT
Hi. Everyones body chemistry is different.Just because the chemicals in a plastic water bottle wont effect you,does not mean it wont cause issues with some one else. It is that simple... A 80 year old that has smoked for 60 years may never get cancer,yet my father died at 46 from smoking. So ,who is to say some of us cannot digest the chemicals in the plastic? IT IS OUR CHOICE TO DECIDE
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Posted by Susie Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:41pm PDT
It doesnt matter what you use its all up to you. My son 3 and daughter 2 used plastic and i never had them colicky or spit up. And its much more dangerous for the children to run around with the glass ones. But like i said its all personal feelings on what you like better. The nipples as well really have nothing to do with the bottle, since the nipples are all plastic so its all the same thing if you think about it.
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Posted by ishopp Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:55am PDT
I am worried about Susie : her logic is so flawed. The problem with BPA is not that it will cause colic or spitting of food. It is an artificial hormone that can disrupt bodily functions such as causing early menstration in girls. As regards the view that BPA or other toxics only exists in small quantity in plastics, my response is this: first, hormone disruption can happen even with tiny amount of extra hormone; second, there could be many items that we come into contact everyday that contains a particular toxic. We may not know that the quantity in each is adding up already. We need more research, yes, but I prefer to be more cautious when there is a prima facio case for concern.
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Posted by The mountain Rider Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:43am PDT
Amy,it is all garbage until you or someone close to you is affected by an environmental disease. But of couse then our doctors will diagnose as depression, and they will be givin the magic pill,and soon develop more common diseases that they are not affraid to diagnose ..(the truth hurts :)
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