Need a Safer Baby Formula!

ok.
All formula packaging (as far as I know) has BPA in it at the moment. The best ways to avoid BPA are to minimize your childs exposure.
The reason that they can get away with using BPA in childrens products is that there isn't enough in any one thing to cause problems. The problems (in theory) can occur when your child is exposed to BPA in their bottles, sippy cups, formula, teethers, etc. You can find bottles, sippy cups and teethers that are BPA free relatively easily and this will really help to limit your childs exposure. Off the top of my head- Glass bottles, bottles which use soft plastic liners, born free, Think Baby, Green to grow, and Adiri are all BPA free. There are more, and I have some great web resources on ways to avoid BPA in bottles and elsewhere but my son is fussing.
Send me a message if you are interested.
R.

I too read the information just before Chrismas when my baby's Godmother mentioned it to me. I researched and immediately went to glass bottles with silicone nipples. I have already been using Similac milk-free, lactose-free formula since Nathan was 1 month old. I do not know if the can used by Baby Organic is lined with BPA. If you find out this information please let me know. I will probably switch to that formula then.

We have put Nathan on this formula because his older brother is autistic and responded to the gluten-free, casein-free diet.

Thanks,
S. Carr

I use powdered similac (soy). The research indicates they do use this poison for packaging. However, if I understand correctly, which I may not, the poison is only harmful if ingested. That is, the child eats the packaging. I do not believe it goes into the formula unless it is heated, which I hope, no one heats the can of powdered formula in the microwave for several reasons. I may be wrong on this, but this is what I understand.

Hi K.! I was shocked to learn about this as well. What I have found through some research is that ALL cans of baby formula contain BPA, however, some contain more than others. Infamil and Similac or any other can w/ cardboard sides contain BPA only in the top and bottom of the can. Other all metal cans contain BPA on all surfaces. Also, the larger the can, the lower amount of BPA in contact w/ the actual formula. I use Similac Organic powder and although it is more expensive, I can usually find it on Ebay for close to half off. I know some people think we're crazy to worry about stuff like this, but if we can limit the amount of toxins our babies ingest, then why wouldn't we? Good luck and I hope this helps!

K., I understand your concern. That is a scarey thought. I used formula with my kids and when my youngest was on it I used Similac ready to serve in plastic bottles. This was only about 2 years ago so they may still make it that way. The whole thing was plastic minus the seal on the end. You could try that one and see how it is rated.

Good luck!!

I'm still breast-feeding but when we do use formula as supplement, we use an iron-fortified one and it has not caused constipation. Babies are exposed to so many chemicals - from their clothing to the air they breathe. I'm not saying we should disregard things like this, but we just have to do our best. I think saying you'll be poisoning your daughter may be a little dramatic. Good luck! I totally get how hard it is to try to make the right choices on things like this!

Relax. Did you use formula for your older children? And they turned out just fine, yes?

I have two recipes for homemade baby formula. One is milk based and the other dairy free. Email me if you are interested . . .

Firstly, calm down - sheesh - no one is POISONING anyone here. Second, if you read the information from EWG, this chemical is used in multiple packaging types (it has nothing to do with water), it's also used in hard plastic, which is what caused a panic about baby bottles recently. All things in moderation, please.

Nothing is yet proven in any of the studies going on, but by all means, you can reduce your infant's exposure to the chemical. Liquid, ready-to-eat formula has the highest amount and powdered, cardboard cans with metal tops & bottoms have the least amount. Like the other poster said, if you buy the largest size cans, you are reducing that even more because there is more formula and less packaging. We use Enfamil Lipil and buy it from Costco in the 30+ ounce size.

From the EWG site in your link: "Powdered formula sold by Enfamil and Similac are reduced-risk choices, because only the metal tops and bottoms of their packages – not the cardboard sides – are metal and lined with BPA-based plastic. Earth's Best Organic and PBM (which make dozens of store brands) are more of a concern: they are sold in an entirely metal can, which means the formula has more contact with a BPA-coated surface.

If you must choose liquid formula, look for types sold in plastic containers or purchase concentrated – not ready-to-eat – types."

You can also use bottles that are glass or soft plastic - they don't have BPA in them. Also, all baby formulas have iron in them (even the low-iron specialty formulas) babies need a certain amount of iron for their brains to properly develop.

Please don't assume "organic is best" - it isn't. The issue here is entirely the packaging. There are plenty of 'organic' foods that have their own quality/food safety problems.