Baby Bottles Unsafe?

There is an article in the Chicago Tribune, August 26, 2007, by Julia Deardorf. She's the Health and Fitness Reporter. It's called "as long as you're hauling out toys, take some plastic" and specifically addresses this issue. It advises you to throw out polycarbonate plastic baby bottles because there is a chemical that can leach into the liquids in them.

There is some sort of chemical that does break down over time. However, it doesn't happen if you just handwash them. If you boil them all the time or put them in the dishwasher, then it can be a hazard. I beleive there was another posting for this question where others had some more detailed info.
If you are really worried, there are bottles at Whole Foods that do not contain this chemical.

A general rule is stay away from plastics with the #7 recycle sign. Other wise stay away from clear, hard shatter proof plastics. BPA is the chemical that could be causing problems. Research is pointing toward it causing many problems. More research is needed and is being done. Good luck and for more info try googling BPA.

It is not Playtex, it is Avent and Dr. Browns, or other clear, hard, plastic bottles.

http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/2007/08/consumer-...

It is the same idea as why they advise not to reuse bottled water containers.

I heard this is only true if you are putting them in the microwave w/the liquid in them. The plastic can start to wear down just like w/any plastic product. If they were unsafe to use or wash, they would most likely be recalled.

how could playtex bottles leak into the formula when you put in a new liner with each bottle and the formula never touches the plastic?

I have used Playtex bottles with all my kids and I have never heard of this.

Keep using them, I think she is wrong.
S.

Maureen,

I have read a lot about the chemical Bisphenol A (BpA) which is found in a lot of plastic baby bottles. The research is somewhat mixed right now, but I error on the side of caution and got rid of all my Avent bottles. I now use Born Free (sold online and at Whole Foods) and Medela bottles (all of Medela's products are free of BpA). The downside is that these bottles are a little more pricy. There was a report on this on the nightly world news on ABC back in May of this year. That broadcast may still be available in the archives on Abc.com. There are many articles on the web that reference this issue too. You can google "bisphenol A in baby bottles" and can come up with a whole host of websites that have articles for/against it. Hope this helps!

Safer bottles ARE glass, but then you do have the breaking potential. Obviously you would have to be more careful and of course NEVER give it to a toddler. However, I personally am still looking for glass baby bottles and they ARE out there. "They" do say that the current baby bottle plastic is the safest plastic. But ALL plastic, except polycarbonate, does leach whether in the dishwasher or not. Just an aside, you never microwave styrofoam (remove dining leftovers immediately to another container....better yet, take your own container and decrease waste. You are also suppose to avoid micowaving plastic for the same reasons. Glass or lead free ceramic is best.

I have and i changed to Mam bottles made by sassy you can only get them online at Target.

I too just recently found out about this, it is in sippy cups, and also the plastic foor containers used for baby food (gerber food,stage 1 and 2) in the plastic containers is made w/ bpa! I posted a question under "harmful sippy cups" I got a lot of infor. Check it out. It is not known to many people, so spread the word to as many people as you know. This is horrible for our children.
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PLAYTEX VENTI AIRE BOTTLES ALSO CONTAIN BPA!!!!

I don't remember the details but the most recent Parents magazine with the Shrek themed cover has an article about the plastic bottles. It also recommended about 5 bottles that are safe to use. I wish I had know this.. my daughter is 1 and I was an avid user of the Dr Browns bottles that I believe are part of the unsafe bottles.

I have a file that contains information about all of the different plastics - "Smart Plastics Guide - Healthier Food Uses of Plastics". It is a pdf file, so you will have to have Acrobat Reader. If anyone would like a copy I would be happy to email it to you.

There is an entire section about the BPA in bottles and sippys and what its effects are.

If it's not one thing, it's another...

Jessica

All plastic leaches over time. It is the most safe to use glass if you have to bottle feed. I realize that it isn't the most conveinent, but it will get you around the leaching problem if that bothers you. We have most of our foods in plastic anymore.

I read a lot about this (I can't remember the sites) and I learned that in general the #7 plastics are the unsafe ones. Avent and Dr. Brown's bottles, as well as Nalgene bottles are made from this plastic. It is any plastic that is hard and clear, whether it's colored or not. Opaque plastic bottles and sippy cups (like Gerber) are usually #5 plastic and are safe.

As far as microwaving and washing in the dishwasher, I understand that extreme heat causes the chemicals to break down faster and to leach into the food. However, the chemicals will break down over time whether they're heated or not, so even if you only hand wash, don't keep these bottles for long.

I also read that bottles with the plastic bag inserts, like Playtex, are safe. Avent also now makes a bottle like that so I might try it next time so I can still use the nipples I have.

I'm not aware of every type or make of plastic this has been proved in but it is TRUE. The chemical is released due to the plastic breaking down. Whether you want to change the way you wash your bottles or swap brands all together is your choice. I swapped out all of my bottles and sippy cups. The brand is called Born Free. They are made without the chemical that breaks down and seeps in to the water, formula or juice that the child drinks. They are a bit more expensive but for me, it was well worth the cost. You can buy them at Whole Foods market or online. www.newbornfree.com If you have the time, check it out plus you'll save yourself some $$ by buying them from the website. I hope this was helpful. Good luck.

A. B.

I have both Avent & Dr. Brown's bottles but becaue we don't have a dishwasher, we handwash all of our bottles. I didn't know that their type of plastic was considered unsafe but maybe you could just stop using the dishwasher instead of changing out all of your bottles? Also, thanks to the person who posted the newborn.free site. It's definitely something I'm going to look at!

As long as you don't boil or put them in the dishwasher they are fine. All plastic will break down over long periods of time. I think this is one more thing for parents to go crazy about.