Help Me with the BPA Issue in Plastics, So Confusing!!

We have a friend of the family that is a chemist for the plastic industry. I don't care what the manufacturers are saying in their advertising, no plastic should ever be used in the microwave. All plastics are petroleum based and contain carcinogens that will leach during the heating or freezing (or microwaving) process. Yes, I think you would be much better off using a glass or ceramic container to heat and then transfer afterward.

Although I have nothing to add to the plastic & microwave question- I did have a suggestion. My eldest was on formula from 3 months on- instead of heating up the bottle of formula I would just heat up the water in a coffee cup or measuring cup in the microwave & mix the bottles as needed. Maybe this has changed, but 19 years ago when I had him my pedi said it wasn't a good idea to heat formula in the microwave.

It is safe to microwave liquids in a glass, then put them in the plastic bottles. I have a friend who did that, and I have done it with my 12-month old's formula. As far as the BPA-free bottles, I actually bought the Born Free for my baby when she was 8 months, even though she is transitioning from bottles completely, just because I knew there were options out there for BPA-free bottles - so why not use them? I believe the more common bottle manufacturers (Playtex, Avent, etc.) will be coming out with BPA-free bottles soon, if not already. With all the info. out there, they will have to if they want to stay in business, since most people I know are avoiding the ones with BPA. I also got her a Born Free sippy cup, which I love.

As far as your microwaveable bowls, the pediatrician told me to avoid the number 7, so I assume your number 5's are okay, but there are many who feel you shouldn't microwave anything in plastic. If you are worried, just use glass or put the items on a plate first. I have to say, I do microwave plastic sometimes and I still have a Nalgene bottle... I think you need to use caution, especially with the baby, but I also think getting too worried or obsessed about all of this isn't good either. Take it all with a grain of salt if you can and do the best you can. Good luck!!

This issue is truly baffling, isn't it? It's hard to figure out what products are ok and what aren't. Definitely don't microwave plastic or use with warm or hot food or liquids! Especially for boys: 50% of diagnosed infertility is male-factor and the chemicals in plastics have been linked to male infertility.

This is the best website about plastics I have found. It's pretty dense with information but should answer almost any question you can think of....www.iatp.org

One thing I found interesting is that the #7 is a catch-all category that includes some "bad" plastics as well as "good" bio-based plastics that are BPA and phthalate free.

Another consideration besides the bottle container itself is what the nipples are made of. Knowing that people can become allergic to latex, I have only used silicone nipples with my ds's evenflo glass bottles.

Good luck and congratulations on the pending arrival of your daughter!

J.

K.,

I am going through the same thing as you right now, only with sippy cups! Here is a GREAT site with all the most updated BPA info on bottles/utensils/pacifiers/sippies. I just read there that the playtex inserts (disposable) work in the vent air, and they are a #4 plastic and considered safe.

Here's the site:
http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2008/02/z-report-on-bpa-in-infa...

If you click on the product manufacturer, it gives you detailed info about what is safe and what is not. Also, be sure to scroll down to the bottom and read the comments ~ people post questions and they actually answer the concerns.

Good luck, and I can completely relate to your frustration and fear. This site is so comprehensive I feel much better about my choices.

L. :)

what i know is never mircowave either breastmilk or formula. cause some hot spots and not good for baby.
plastic BPA free is okay with me as long u dont microwave it but warm the milk with bpa free bottle in warm/hot water in a bowl or warmer (save moolah by use crockpot in low heat). as long dont use very hot water aka boiling or microwave water and the chemical from plastic will not leech into milk.
if u must microwave the water, use glass container, coffee mug, whatever what u have that are glass or creamic type.
most glass bottles (esp not for born free) are not wide neck... small nipple.. not preferable for breastfeed babies. i like wideneck bottles for breastfeed babies. for formula feed babies.. i dunno :o)
www.safemama.com is good website and tell u which bottles are BPA free. honestly BPA free bottles is alright better than NON BPA free plastic bottles!
only thing i dont really trust Avent which was my favorite bottles for my son in past. it doesnt have recycle nbr in bottom of bottle, and is not clear about BPA free. i have few born free glass and plastic for my baby to be bottle feed by my fiance and my son when need (i plan do full on breastfeed and pump when need).

I hope this helps:

BPA makes it possible for plastic to be hard and transparent.

Not all plastics are microwaveable - follow manufacturer's instructions.

Babies R Us know exactly which bottles are BPA free and will trade BPA bottles for non-BPA bottles on a cash value basis.

A.

I found it satisfying to read the Wikipedia definitions/explanations about polyethylene (PE, plastics 1, 2, 4, and 5 - BPA-free), polycarbonate (hard and clear, which can release BPA), and Bisphenol A itself. You might want to read those pages too.

We have satisfied ourselves that using playtex dropins is a safe way to feed the baby. I would have liked to use glass, but so far I haven't seen glass with the shape nipple we ended up having to go with.

Someone mentioned this site, but here's a link:
http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-....
There is A LOT of information here. I did a quick scan and didn't find an answer to your heating question, but you may have better luck with a more thorough search.
FYI: There is also information about safe sunscreens here.
Good luck!
J.

Hi K.,
I have just recently had a big issue with BPA bottles. The avent bottles that I was using to feed my baby contained the highest amount of it. The BPA leaches out when the bottle is put into the microwave or if hot water is poured into them. I didn't even want to mess around with plastic so I got online and found a website called nurturepure.com that sells glass bottles (my husband went to every store around here and couldn't find any). I ordered 12 of them and they have been great! My little guys switched right over with no problems and it's a great peace of mind:) Why they have to make things harmful for us and our babies is beyond me????
Good luck

Hi K.,

It is a scary topic and I just purchased and am anxiously waiting my order of glass bottles from evenflo. I bought them on Amazon.com. I think it's better to play it on the safe side and try not to microwave in plastic and not add hot things to plastic containers or bottles. Babies especially do not have the capacity to effectively eliminate these chemicals from their precious little systems. Scary. I checked out a few options, and the evenflo are by far the cheapest, and they are totally safe. I almost bought the "green to grow" bottles, which uses BPA safe plastic but I figured I might as well just eliminate plastic all together. There are a lot of options out there! I googled "glass baby bottles" and "bpa safe baby bottles".
Best,
M.

In general, it is safer not to microwave any plastic, even if it says it is microwave safe. There are other chemicals (known carcinogens) besides BPA that leach from plastic, and microwaving really increases how much leaches into your food. I would really recommend transferring your food to a glass or ceramic container before microwaving.
As far as bottles go, you don't want any warm or hot liquid in a bottle that is not BPA free. With BPA, much more is released from the plastic when it is exposed to warmth. Cool liquid is not as much of a problem, but I still think it's kinda scary. You could call Playtex and ask when/if the bottles you like will be going BPA free. If they are not, I would look for an alternative. Hope this helps!

Here is the scoop on plastics. BPA is the chemicle in plastics we have been hearing a lot about but don't forget phthalates, found in plastics as well are also dangerous. Yes the number on the bottom is helpful but remember plastics are a makeup of chemicles. Never microwave in them, use hot water or leave them in your car. This goes for toys as well. Soft plastic toys like teethers are usually made from leaching chemicles. Best bets are glass, stainless steal or BPA AND Phthalate free plastic dish and drinking ware. For toys wood and cloth.