MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
A warning about plastic products and your infant.
With my sister expecting her first child, she turned to me for help with earth-friendly, organic options for her new arrival. Not having any little ones of my own, I had to start doing some research, and what I found was less than a bundle of joy.
It's my opinon that many of the mainstream baby products currently on the market are a hazard. A string of news stories reporting harmful chemicals linked to toys had parents scrambing to remove these blacklisted items. But plastic baby bottles should be of equal concern. The bottle is an infant's connection to nourishment.
While breast-feeding is the best option, some mothers can’t, and even if they do, a lot switch back-and-forth between breast milk and formula or pump their milk into bottles. When baby bottles are heated or milk is warmed and placed in a bottle, higher levels of chemicals can leach out of the plastic. If you reheat a bottle over and over you could be exposing infants to higher levels of toxic chemicals.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is the harmful agent found in polycarbonate plastic. BPA has been linked to cancer, impaired immune function, hyperactivity and other symptoms. Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles on store selves are made from polycarbonate plastic. Scientists say that even in low doses, BPA can cause a number of serious illnesses.
More than likely, legislation will eventually be passed to take these types of products off the market. But the process can be a long one, as can implementing a new law. In the meantime, it's up to parents to take action, educate themselves and not expose their children. Each child deserves the best start to a healthy, happy life.
Bottle Tips:
-Don’t purchase polycarbonate plastic bottles. Purchase those made from glass or, if you're worried the glass might chip or break, go with a safer plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide.
-Don’t heat plastics! When you heat plastics, chemicals leach out of the bottle. Keep them out of the dishwasher and microwave.
-Avoid all plastic products marked with recycling code 7, which includes polycarbonate (abbreviated, PC). This number is found on the bottom of the container or toy.
Other Trusted Sources:
WebMD
Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group
PubMed
