Plastic bottles unsafe??

[Kailani]

Today someone told me that I should get glass bottles for baby, not plastic as they are unsafe and bad to put in the microwave and contained toxic chemicals! I thought she was nuts! I did a quick google and it seems she's not the only one who thinks that. I have never heard of this before!! I find it hard to believe that if this was the case, so many babies are using plastic bottles...this can't be true right?

Has anyone heard of this or can shed some light?

[Doing my best]

It is the BPA in the bottles that can cause harm. The chance is very minute (don't know the exact figure), but the risk is there.

You can get BPA free bottles or go with glass if this does concern you, but there are many many more people who use plastic ones. Like the whole picture of parenting, you need to do what's right for you..

[Arimeh]

The ones that have BPA on them usually have a number on the bottom of the bottle.

My Pigeon ones don't - so I continue to use them.

[*Belle*]

honestly I agree every parent should decide whats best for them and the baby, we use the plastic bottles but dont heat them in the microwave, I didnt want to buy glass bottles. ETA I use Pidgeon ones too thanks for that Mel good to know they dont! phew

[melbel]

ummmm...just checked the website...pigeon bottles DO contain BPA.....the fact that there is no number on the bottom does not mean they are safe.

if you are concerned about BPA (I know I am seeing Canada has just gone so far as to ban it so it cna't be a good thing)..... Dr. Browns have a BPA free range as does one other company whose name escapes me.

Avent bottles contain BPA so probably try to avoid them as well.

These ones are apparently safe (this is an american list so may conatin brands we dont get here:

BPA Free Bottle Products

* Adiri Natural Nursers
* BornFree: All bottles and cups BPA free *see note
* EvenFlo: Classic™ Glass Bottles, Classic™ Light Tint Polypropylene bottles, Classic™ Clear Polypropylene Bottles, Purely Comfi™ Bottles
* Playtex: Original Nurser, Playtex Drop in liners, Ventaire Advanced Bottles (marked BPA Free)
* Gerber: Gerber Clear View, Fashion Tints (”Plastic Pastels”), Gerber GentleFlow
* Medela: All bottles
* Sassy: MAM bottles (UltiVent), Baby Food Nurser Kit
* Green to Grow Bottles **see note
* ThinkBaby Bottles
* Tommee Tippee Easyflow Bottle to Cup
* Momo Glass Bottles
* Munchkin: Dora the Explorer Classic Bottles
* Nuby: Standard Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, Standard Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, 3-Stage Wide Neck Easy Grip Feeding System with Non-Drip Nipple, Natural Youch SoftFlex InfaFeeder (silicone) (keep up to date on Nuby products here)
* Nuture Pure Glass bottles
* Babisil Silbottles
* Weego Glass Bottles
* Siliskin Glass Bottles
* Dr Brown’s: Glass Bottles, Dr. Browns Polypropylene Bottles (all vent system pieces BPA Free - made with polypropylene - and fit all models)
* Parent’s Choice Bottles (available at Walmart) - box is marked BPA Free
* Lansinoh? Bottles (all)

Hope that helps. There is also a list of BPA free dummies and stuff as well if anyone is interested....

[Arimeh]

Arrgghhh

Thanks for that info Mel.

I thought that it was illegal for there to be BPA in a product and them not telling you.

*sigh*

[melbel]

technically it depends on the level or parts per million as to labelling etc.....the catch is that BPA is actually more dangerous in smaller levels as this is how it passes the blood barrier...at larger levels the molecules tend to clump together and are too big to pass the blood barrier and do harm. At least that is what my reasearch to date tells me....

[Schmickers]

BPA is legal in most countries; at this stage only Canada has moved to ban it's use in plastics that are used to handle food for human consumption.

We use the MAM bottles here.

[Gigi]

Becoming a mum, and suddenly buying lots of baby products, learning about more baby stuff, i have been astonished just how many UNSAFE baby products are sold, with things in them that you would never think it would be LEGAL to sell, for use on a baby.

it boggles my mind, makes me realise how vigilant i need to be, not just trust well known brands and what hospitals use, i need to do my own research.

some people say it doesn't matter

when my baby develops rashes because of it, it matters to me.

it took me five years to become pregnant, i will not be having any more, if i am over careful, so what, i am over careful then, she's my child. we don't have private health insurance, i cannot risk extra hospital visits, i will do what i can to keep her healthy and safe.

As soon as you become pregnant, even complete strangers suddenly want to give you advice on EVERYTHING! I am very wary of the ones that start off with "YOU SHOULD . . . . . ".

there are possibilities, there are options, there are many things you COULD do, but YOU are the mum of this child, you will make the decision, not them.

you gotta do what's right for you.

between Google and the wonderful people on this forum (like Melbel's excellent research above), you can become more informed, and then make informed choices - if you want to.

[Pandora]

Theres an eco/green shop in Prahran that sells BPA free bottles as well as a lot of chemicla free baby products I can find the info for you if you are interested.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Can I ask why you need to buy bottles at all?
All you planning to not breastfeed?
Im not advocating that FF is bad (I have been since 9 months) but I do think that buying bottles before the inability to breastfeed is setting yourself up for failure.
You shouldn't microwave bottles anyway because it puts blackspots in the bottles...
Just a thought...

[Kailani]

Wow there is so much to learn! Ummm what is BPA?? And what is the risk of having it in plastic? Like what can it do to the baby???

Thanks so much for that info melbel! Can I be a pain and ask for the dummy list as well?

Cookie - I definitely want to BF but if I have to express or just in case I can't BF at all I thought I'd get some bottles...should I not bother and just wait and see?? lol this is all very new and I just wanted to be prepared! Speaking of expressing, I've heard that there are particular bottle teats that are meant to replicate the nipple, to avoid confusion for baby, might have to research those too??

Rayray, I am very interested in that shop! Prahran is really close to me

Gigi, I agree with you, I'm just so overwhelmed about what is safe/unsafe and everybody's differing "advice". I hate the "you should" comments! And yep, that's why I love BB - it makes this whole unknown process become a lot easier!

And thanks girls for the microwave tip...I didn't think anything of it, I would have put the bottles straight into the microwave! Well don't I feel so silly and unprepared I agree with you all to do what is best for me and bubs and ultimately that it's my choice. It's just a bit hard to make that choice with so many people doing different things and having strong opinions on everything

Shmickers, are the MAM bottles free of BPA and are they glass? lol I am starting to sound like a paranoid nut, but I can't help it now that I know this!

Eeeekkk!! Thanks so much lovelies, all this info is very helpful

ETA...Oh happy new year!!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Holly, sorry for my abrupt post - I was drunk at the time I wrote it... LOL!

There are a few different bottles that are supposed to replicate the nipple.
I used the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles but found that they are a little to flexible because baby can push the teat in on itself sometimes.
There are the Pigeon Peristaltic (I think that's what they are called) & AVENT do nipple ones too but I don't like the AVENT ones at all.
Then there are some the ABA recommend that are more expensive, but "ideal" for increased likelihood of maintaining a dual breast/bottle feed routine (IYKWIM).

Something else to considered is not giving a bottle when expressing starting with a sippy cup from very young or syringe feeding is better in terms of maintaining breastfeeding. My DS weaned completely off the breast once he learnt he could bite on his bottles instead of sucking, and now he won't suck at all.

Honestly I had so, so many bottles because noone in my family had breastfed so I was going to formula feed... and I never used them. I bought a sippy bottle when DS was 7 months old and that's all I have used. It's sort of a waste if you don't "need them" because they can be pricey. And whilst it is great to be prepared in case you are struggling with breastfeeding - it's probably better to put into an envelope (and hide in your undie drawer or something) what you would spend on bottles, sterilisers, breastpumps so you have it aside, IF and WHEN you need it. And add a little bit to it, because many early problems with BF can be assisted and helped by a Lactation Consultant.

The way i see it - if you have all the FF stuff prepped and ready to go the temptation is there and it is easy to give in and buy a tin. If you have an envelope full of cash, sure send hubby to get a ready made carton so bubs will go to sleep for the night... but spend the rest on an LC. Just the way I see it anyway, I hope I am making sense.

ETA: Check out downtoearthorganics dot com dot au. They have a whole range of BPA products on there. Medela products are BPA free, as are most Nuby products.

Oh, and also - I'm pretty sure the ABA actually recommends a standard teat - I did look but couldn't find the info, but FionaJill or BarbGlare would be the best help in that respect. They recommend the Medela breastpumps so I can only assume they would recommend the Medela bottles to go with it. I liked the closer to nature ones because they replicated the same kind of attachment, but breasts are all different so I can imagine some bottles would differ for each mum and baby... maybe another reason to wait until after baby comes?

[Gigi]

many plastics give off gases and carcinogens (thinks that cause cancer)
plastic is made out of petroleum

that's why some people are so keen on wooden, cloth and metal toys for kids, as opposed to plastic ones. to be safer.

that's why i put cloth nappies on my child, instead of disposables, i don't like what is in the ingredients. THere is a cup of petroleum used to make every disposable nappy. Nurture Nappies website has an article called "What is in a disposable" under their info section, across the top of their homepage. very interesting reading.

i just saw a site that has BPA free baby bottles, and thought of you
the site is called ECO CHILD
adn the section where the bottles are is on the menu, called
Green to Grow Baby Bottles ~ organic baby products



i think if you just GOOGLE "BPA free baby bottles", lots of refs would come up for you.

i've been looking in the baby aisle at woollies and coles for 2.5 years now, and there are not many products on the shelves, that i actually feel ok about buying.
When they start solids (after six months), the Rafferty's Garden tubes of purreed fruit and veg are very good.

For out and about, we use the Nature Babycare WIpes, the only brand at woollies/coles that DOESNT" contain propylene glycol (antifreeze!!!!). At home, we just use cloth facewashers and water, it cleans up a pooey bottom much better, efficiently than the baby wipes do, and you don't get poo on your hand AND my baby doesn't get a rash. The used ones get washed with the nappies.

so much to think about! it boggles my mind!
esp when people give you newborn gifts of stuff you KNOW is not safe. they mean well, but won't have done the type of research that you do for your own baby.

[Kailani]

lol cookie I didn't find it abrupt at all! You're right, I won't bother getting bottles beforehand and hopefully won't ever have to I wouldn't want bubs to get confused between bottle and boobie or prefer bottle over me and refuse to have boobie!!
Thanks for the website, will check it out now

Gigi - I already have my stash of MCN's! The toy thing might not be as easy to sacrifice though. I've been given sooo many already and to be honest it seems a little OTT to me (or maybe just overwhelming, as I'd never even thought about this before!) although I can definitely understand why people would not want plastic toys in their house after knowing how much crap is in some baby products - I can't believe antifreeze is in baby wipes I will mostly just be using cotton wool or cloth to wipe his bottom and I'll be checking out those wipes you mentioned for out and about. DP has eczema that can flare up really badly so nothing nasty is going on bubba's skin. Thanks so much for the brand names and the website, it really is a lot of help!

Off to do some research!

My DP thinks I've gone a bit loopy with all this baby stuff

[satya]

Just wanted to say that I wish I had got bottles beforehand. I never expected to have BFing problems so didn't bother buying any even though friends recommended it. The trip to buy bottles & formula on the way home from hossy was a very painful one indeed even though it was 5 days after giving birth.

I had to have bottles to express my milk as bub just couldn't attach (was sick and very drowsy from meds) & I had a very small supply so he had to have FF top ups as well from day 1. Had I not done that he would not have left hospital.

Most people who BF still use bottles for expressed milk so I can't see it would hurt to have just a couple at home ready to go. Wish I'd had them. It's not setting yourself up for failure, it's just being organised.

I don't microwave my bottles at all so am not concerned about BPA. My bub drinks formula at room temp & he learnt to do this from an early age.

[Kailani]

Hmm Satya, that was my concern to begin with - just wanting to be organised and prepared in case bf exclusively doesn't go as planned. Thanks for your advice, I will shop around for bottles nonetheless and put the winners on the baby shower list

And thanks rayray, got your pm

It's all a big learning experience!