Plastic Bottles
Most parents will purchase plastic bottles for their baby and not think twice about it. After all, plastic is durable and is virtually unbreakable. It is lightweight and inexpensive. You can reuse plastic baby bottles over and over, so they are an extremely practical choice. But, are plastic baby bottles safe?
A study came out in Consumer Reports in 1999 that reported that polycarbonate plastic such as the kind used in clear plastic baby bottles leached a dangerous chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA) when heated at high temperatures. The claim was that BPA leaked into the milk and could have adverse effects on babies.
Should You Throw Away Your Plastic Baby Bottle?
In short, no. Research on plastic baby bottles has shown that BPA may be released only at extremely high temperatures, but even then the effect would be negligible. The idea that plastic baby bottles cause cancer is false. At the very least, way more research needs to be done on the issue.
The FDA has reaffirmed the safety of plastic bottles many times since the initial Consumer Reports article. The FDA asserts that plastic baby bottles and dioxins are unrelated.
It is a good idea to read more of the research into the plastic bottle issue so you can make an informed decision on your own. If you search online you can find many scientific studies that explain the results in understandable terms. This way, you can make an informed decision about using plastic bottle for your baby.
What Are The Alternatives To Plastic Bottles?
Some parents who are scared at the potential of toxic chemicals getting to their baby wonder what the alternatives to plastic are. There are several. The plastic bottles in question are only those made from polycarbonate plastic. There are other plastics available in bottles. They may be more expensive and harder to find, but they are worth it to some parents.
There are also glass bottles. Glass bottles have made a small comeback since the plastic bottle scare begun. If you look at glass versus plastic baby bottles you will find that glass bottles measure up in a lot of ways. The new glass bottles are very resistant to chips and cracks, are easy to clean and are recyclable. You might find that glass baby bottles are a good choice if you want to err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby.
