BPA In Baby Bottles

Hi A.,

I went through the same stage (researching BPA) and ended up only using Nuby brand (no BPA) and not feeding Grace anything out of plastic (we only use glass baby food jars etc. I wouldn't worry that you've caused your baby harm... and for your own peace of mind, you may want to switch the bottles she uses, not use plastic baby food containers, and keep an eye out for #7 plastics elsewhere.

The following are three websites and one blog which discuss the possible dangers of BPA... the second article below is dated August 2, 2007, so this is making it back into the mainstream news again as more scientific evidence emerges about how the stuff leaches into the food or liquid.

Like I said earlier, to be on the safe side, we are using glass and trying to avoid #7 plastics all together. We ended up throwing away the baby food that's in the plastic containers and bought glass.

Here are the 3 websites with the information about BPA. I hope this helps:

Bisphenol A: Toxic Plastics Chemical in Canned Food: Consumer tips to avoid BPA exposure

http://www.ewg.org/node/20944

Although completely eliminating exposure to BPA may not be possible, there are steps you can take to reduce your family's exposure to this chemical.

Studies show canned foods are a predominant source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Food and drink cans are lined with a BPA-containing plastic. Beverages appear to contain less BPA residues, while canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels. EWG found that the worst foods tested put pregnant women and formula-fed infants within an unacceptable margin of safety to levels that cause harmful effects in laboratory animals. Typical exposures are within a 10 to 100-fold range of the effects that cause harm in a laboratory setting. More typical 'safe levels' are 1000 to 3000 times lower than toxic doses to animals.

Liquid infant formula: Two of five concentrated (liquid) infant formulas tested had detectable levels of BPA. Due to the special vulnerabilities of children to environmental contaminants, you might consider using powdered formulas if your infant tolerates them. Powdered formulas have not been tested for BPA in the US, although there is less likelihood that they are in contact with BPA-containing plastics.

Certain plastics are made from BPA which leaches at low levels into food or liquids. Leaching from plastics appears to happen at a much lower level than found in canned foods. Nevertheless it is good to take simple precautions.

Polycarbonate plastics: BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the recycling label #7. Not all #7 labeled products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline for a category of plastics to avoid. Rigid and transparent plastic containers for food and drink, such as widely used clear Nalgene bottles and toddler sip cups contain BPA. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as 'non-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or odor, however there is still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these containers, particularly if heated or otherwise abraded or abused.

Safer products and uses: When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's use. Try looking for alternatives to BPA products such as those listed in the text box below from the Institute For Agriculture Trade and Food Policy (IATP 2006). Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA. Find baby bottles in glass versions, or those made from the safer plastics polypropylene and polyethylene. Pliable milk colored plastic does not contain BPA. Bottles used to pump and store expressed breast milk by the brand Medela are also labeled BPA-free.

Many metal water bottles are lined with a plastic coating that contains BPA. Look for stainless steel bottles, such as those sold by Real Wear and Kleen Kanteen that do not have a plastic liner.

While the levels of BPA that leach from hard plastics is generally low, we recommend avoiding use of plastic containers to heat food in microwaves. Ceramic, glass, and other microwaveable dishware are good alternatives. Avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles.

Some plastic wraps contain BPA, though some brands such as Saran™ promise to be BPA free.

Scientists issue warning about chemical in plastic
By Marla Cone, Times Staff Writer
6:49 PM PDT, August 2, 2007

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-pl...

In an unusual effort targeting a single chemical, several dozen scientists on Thursday issued a strongly worded consensus statement warning that an estrogen-like compound in plastic is likely to be causing an array of serious reproductive disorders in people.

The compound, bisphenol A or BPA, is one of the highest-volume chemicals in the world and has found its way into the bodies of most human beings.

Used to make hard plastic, BPA can seep from beverage containers and other materials. It is used in all polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, as well as other rigid plastic items, including large water cooler containers, sports bottles and microwave oven dishes, along with canned food liners and some dental sealants for children.

The scientists -- including four from federal health agencies -- reviewed about 700 studies before concluding that people are exposed to levels of the chemical exceeding those that harm lab animals. Infants and fetuses are most vulnerable, they said.

The statement, published online by the journal Reproductive Toxicology, was accompanied by a new study by researchers from the National Institutes of Health finding uterine damage in newborn animals exposed to BPA. That damage is a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic ovaries and cancers. It is the first time BPA has been linked to female reproductive tract disorders, although earlier studies have found early-stage prostate and breast cancer and decreased sperm counts in animals exposed to low doses.

BPA Investigation
June 30, 2007

It is likely that very few people have heard of the chemical, bisphenol A (BPA). The plastics that we use each day are wreaking havoc on our bodies and immune systems.

Fortunately, a flurry of recent research and the actions of certain progressive local governments are beginning to draw attention to the dangers of bisphenol A, a key component of plastics used in infant feeding bottles, refillable plastic water bottles, beverage cans, and countless other containers used for food and beverages destined for human consumption everywhere.

The extent of damage caused by only nominal exposure to this ubiquitous chemical is dramatic, and ranges from prostate cancer, to growth of breasts in men, diabetes, immune system damage, and numerous others. In fact, studies on laboratory mice demonstrated that at nominal levels, BPA can cause damage both to the unborn fetus and to adults. The list is shocking:

* Enlarged prostates
* Genital deformities
* Disrupted puberty
* Increased cancer rates in certain organs and cell lines
* Pancreatic changes that promote insulin resistance
* Pubescent mammary gland developmental changes
* Altered to thyroid regulation
* Structural damage to the brain
* Hyperactivity
* Abnormal sexual behavior
* Increased fat formation
* Down's syndrome
* Disrupted reproductive cycles

An April, 2007 paper, "Bisphenol A induces permanent squamous change in mouse prostatic epithelium." by Yuji Ogura, and Kenichiro Ishii et. al. report:

Results indicate that in mouse, BPA can directly elicit CK10 expression in prostatic epithelium, and that this change can be elicited by doses as low as 20 mug/kg/day. We speculate that low-dose BPA during fetal life may also induce permanent squamous change in human prostate.

Bisphenol A's connection to diabetes is explored in depth on the website, Our Stolen Future,devoted to the health of future generations.

In their report, "The Estrogenic Effect of Bisphenol-A Disrupts the Pancreatic ß-Cell Function in vivo and Induces Insulin Resistance," published in Environmental Health Perspectives," the website's authors describe an important study by Alonso-Magdalena, P, S Morimoto, C Ripoll, E Fuentes and A Nadal completed in 2006, where they

"...demonstrate that low-level, chronic exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) induces insulin resistance in adult mice. Their work provides the first experimental link between endocrine disruption and diabetes.

The doses they used in these experiments were within the range of current human exposure, 5000 times below the dose identifed by the US EPA as the lowest level causing effects."

In another report by Toyoko Hiroi and Kazushi Okada et. al. of the Department of Chemical Biology, Osaka City University Medical School, in Japan, they summarize the damaging effects of this commonly found chemical ingredient in plastics that millions use.

BPA and its derivatives are common pollutants of rivers, lakes, and seawater, resulting in chronic exposure of humans and wildlife to BPA.

In fact, BPA has been detected in the sera and placentas of pregnant women as well as in amniotic fluid. High concentrations of BPA (30 µg/ml; 131 µM) also have been detected in saliva after dental treatment (7). BPA is considered to be one of the most widespread endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and recently, its adverse effects on human health and wildlife are being increasingly recognized.

Mounting evidence from numerous studies of BPA reveals that BPA has diverse influences on various physiological functions related to steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, the nervous system, the immune system, and other cell signaling pathways. For example, BPA possesses estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities in vitro, and influences reproductive functions, sexual differentiation, and behavioral patterns in vivo. BPA is also demonstrated to ... cause up-regulation of immune responses, especially T helper 1 responses in adulthood.

Research comparing purported HIV antigen reactivity and protein expression as well as pathogenic reactions common to HIV and bisphenol A reveals important linkages.

The antigen expressed at 53 kilodaltons, known as the protein p53 is attributed to HIV-2. Interestingly, this is protein is common to bisphenol A in mammalian antigenic response.

"The purified fraction eluted from BPA-Sepharose affinity resin showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE analysis (Fig. 3A, lane 5). The molecular mass of this protein was calculated to be 53 kDa on an SDS-PAGE gel."

Products to Avoid

The website Sixwise advises:

If you want to avoid products with BPA, keep in mind the following:

* Plastic that contains BPA carries the #7 recycling symbol.
* Most clear plastic baby bottles and child cups are made of BPA-containing plastic.
* Dental sealant may leach BPA; this is being debated. You may want to avoid dental sealants on your children's baby teeth.

You can minimize your BPA exposure by:

* Replacing plastic food and drink containers and utensils with glass, ceramic or metal varieties.
* Purchasing glass baby bottles.
* Using baby bottles and sippy cups made of polyethylene plastic (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5) (these are usually colored, not clear, and should still not be heated).
* Not using canned foods or foods wrapped in plastic.
* Not letting children put plastic toys in their mouths.
* Being careful with BPA-containing plastics, if you choose to use them. This means not exposing them to heat (microwave, dishwasher) or harsh detergents (bleach, etc.) and not letting food or beverages sit in the containers for too long.

Scientists issue warning about chemical in plastic

http://reddit.com/info/2clob/comments

natch 6 points 9 days ago

Supposedly the danger is limited to just one certain kind of plastic. Avoid plastics stamped with the number 7 inside the recycling triangle. (Obviously, if there is no recycling triangle, you're on your own). Some large water dispenser jugs use this plastic. Most small bottles that I've checked use number 1, and are safe at least from a BPA standpoint. Disclaimer: I learned this by reading media articles... so take it with a grain of salt.
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nicxvan 3 points 8 days ago

I'm studying to be a plastics engineer at UMass Lowell. I would say that what you said is accurate, mainly stay away from the nalgene indestructible water bottles, especially if they have been washed. The soap can actually breakdown the plastic and release the bisphenol A. The number seven on the bottom is a good way to make sure. another thing to look for is the PC on the bottom.
permalink parent

spatterlight 2 points 8 days ago

this page has some good info about alternate types of water bottles. Both of mine are #7... I'm going to get one of these Sigg bottles probably, they look pretty slick.
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BeZany 3 points 8 days ago

Thanks for the info. My sister is always talking about this, but when I went to find something other than plastic to store my food in, I only found plastic. I could not even find a glass container to store water. Plastic is everywhere.
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elquesogrande 26 points 9 days ago*

I dug into the BPA issue 6 months back just before my son was born. The issue around BPA is a bit startling and a handful of issues like girls developing earlier, increases in cancer rate and an increase in diabetes for the US point "directionally" towards BPA.

BPA alarm bells have gone off since the early 1900's. The biggest problem is that BPA works as an estrogen mimic. This means that polycarbonate plastic bottles and canned food/drink liners, the majority of which contain BPA, have a % chance of leeching estrogen mimicing chemicals into your (and your baby's) food supply. The highest concentrations of BPA occur while heating polycarbonate bottles - much like what many parents do when heating bottled milk in the microwave. We chose to go with glass bottles due to this issue and to cut back a bit on canned foods for the kids.

I worked for 10 years in the chemical industry and know what 'spins' are put on products like this. Unrefutable proof around BPA causing is a bit tough to find, but who needs proof when your own kids are involved...
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oberon 1 point 8 days ago

As I was reading this I found myself wondering what the alternatives were. As I look around and think about the items I use in my daily life (and I don't even have kids yet), most of them are plastic. My sister has a baby and a huge amount of the baby-centric items she has (bottles, diapers, formula containers - no I did not ask why she doesn't breast feed - the car seat, etc.) are plastic. Obviously people have raised babies for millenia without plastic, and using glass bottles is an obvious option, but what about the other things?

Maybe I should just buy a cabin somewhere in northern Minnesota and become a hermit.
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p3on 5 points 9 days ago

Plastic industry spin in 3..2..1..
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urusai 12 points 9 days ago

Hey, this guy Dr. Cletus from Louisiana Swamp University sez that all chemicals in plastic are not only healthy, they promote penis growth and make you more attractive to strippers! So if only 99% of scientists agree, then it isn't a decided issue, so we should keep on buying delicious and nutritious plastics.
permalink parent

ba3boos -8 points 9 days ago [comment score below threshold] show comment

eh...let me guess: it causes cancer? what doesn't these days
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MarkByers 8 points 9 days ago

And what's wrong with cancer? A study recently showed that people who don't get cancer have an increased risk of dying of something else.
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Greengages 2 points 9 days ago

Obeying the government obviously.
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nerox3 9 points 9 days ago

"...and that many [of the scientists] have conflicts of interest because they have either studied BPA and reported effects or "have already taken a very clear advocacy position."

So if you are an expert on BPA or have an opinion on BPA we are to ignore your position because you have a clear conflict of interest. “That’s some catch, that Catch-22,”

I disagree that you are putting too much into it. The old school way is always to say, it didn't harm us. However, there is a lot of research pointing to the fact that harmful chemicals leech into liquids that are heated up in plastics. My friends joke that I put too much into this stuff and I buy into the hippy, tree-huggin', liberal propaganda. I believe that I'm doing what I can to protect my child. If there is even a question, I don't risk it. I buy Born Free bottles. They are expensive, so what I did was buy just two 9 oz. I'm a working mom and need two bottles a day for daycare. I wash them every night so that I don't need to buy more.
Anyway, just my point of view. I know many people will disagree with me.

Hi A.
Dr. Brown's does make glass bottles, and glass really is the safest in terms of not leaching anything. If you have to do plastic, look for the #5 in the recycle triangle - this plastic does not leach BPA or pthalates...the only downside is that because it is so stable, it is also not usually recyclable. Do congratulate yourself for learning something and trying to do your best to protect your child at each turn in the road and don't have regrets...the things we regret will only discourage us, instead look at them as opportunities to learn.
C.

Hi A.,

You've gotten a lot of good advice so I won't repeat what was said but I want to make two points.

First, nipples on bottles may have BPA also. If you can't find BPA free nipples, replace the nipples often as the BPA leaches out more when the plastic is cracked. Dishwashers will especially break down the plastic.

And second, the glass we are using now sometimes has lead in it, especially the glass from China. There's no need to swap one toxin for another...Go to Home Depot and buy some lead testers. They're about the size of crayons and turn a different color when lead is present.

Hope this helps!

M.

I went to Whole Foods and they had some BPA free bottles...very expensive.

Also, you can take other precautions to reduce exposure. Dont use dishwasher and dont heat bottles to 80 degrees.

sorry to those who say you are putting too much into it, but, I would guess they are probably not the researchers who have discovered the link between many plastics and the damage it does to reproductive, hormonal and neurotransmitters in the brain. Plastic is made of CHEMICALS and your child is ingesting them everytime they sip from the bottle, so yes, you should certainly be questioning their safety. Especially with the illnesses that are becoming epidemics in our children.
For my next child, I got the Dr. Brown's glass bottles. the only thing about those is I'm not sure if the mouth piece and center tube are Bisphenal-A and Phlatate free or not. Born Free is though, so I got the most of those. and Gerber has been doing an excellent job changing their plastics. Medela pumps and bags are also clean. For my older son, I got him a safe sippy. You should check them out. www.thesafesippy.com . Dangerous plastics take up the good first 3 years of a babies life, when they are most vunerable to their effects.

I'm concerned too. we just keep the bottles out of extreme heat. No micrwve(youre not suppossed to anyway ) and instead of our sterilizer we just wash the bottles really good by hand

I just bought the born free bottles today for my 3mo. old
niece because we too were concerned about the BPA. We researched it and found some super scary stuff...Bisphenol-A (or BPA) is a component of polycarbonate plastics used in many products, including almost all baby bottles, cans, and sunglasses. BPA was developed as a synthetic form of estrogen, and laboratory studies have linked it to impaired hormonal function, cancer, developmental toxicity, learning problems, hyperactivity, and insulin functioning... The plastics company insist that the amount BPA released was a "safe amount" and would not cause harm to baby...I guess we have no way of knowing which is true but we're not taking any chances. I highly recommend the born free bottles.
They are more expensive (about 20$ for a 2 pack at Babies R Us) , but worth the few extra dollars just for the peace of mind.

I used glass bottles with my daughter years ago. They were harder for me to find, but I found that they sterilize much better and to me are safer.
I don't know about the research but there are fairly cheap alternatives.

I think it's just another way to scare us mothers actually. Maybe there was an incident somewhere or sometime ago, but think of how many people in this world use bottles or have used bottles!! If it were really a factor it would have come out a long time ago. I have 4 kids, all bottle fed from the same Avent bottles, which have been warmed many, many times. Do what you think is best as you are the mother, but think of all the bottles users out there.

See article by Anna Kuchment in Newsweek.
C.

Check out Born Free, baby bottles, they are BPA free. They also are making Glass Bottles again. You can buy a sleeve to put them in so they don't shatter. Back to the Basics!

Babies R Us has a new section for feeding item by Born Free.

I use born free bottles, they are safe and don't have the BPA in them. You can get them at Whole foods or babies r us, the only down fall is they are kinda pricie.

You got that right,is some new way to scare us new moms into buying something more expensive. We all survive to the regular bottles.

I have an 8 month old also and also heard about the BPA in bottles soon after he was born. I was using the Dr. Browns bottles but switched to Playtex drop-ins. I did a lot of research when I started hearing about it and what I read was just too scary to continue giving him those bottles with peace of mind. Everytime I would give him a bottle I would just worry. So I have been very happy with the Playtex Drop-ins. Just the other day I was at Babies R Us and saw that they now have Born Free bottles for sale there (they didn't when I was trying to choose a BPA free bottle) which I heard were also safe but I have never used. Bur I definitely recommend the Drop-ins! Good luck!

I have been reading a lot about it lately and have been a little concerned. My 6 month old has been taking 3 types of bottles. The avent ones, munchkin (his favorite), and the playtex drop-ins. I was looking into glass bottles but he drops them so much so I just got him a few more playtex drop ins. I don't know if the levels of BPA that would get into their systems would harm them but I eliminated all my hard plastic ones to ease my mind.

I have read that one of the least expensive bottles has no BPA. It is the Gerber one that is really inexpensive, and is a soft plastic (usually blue, pink and clear). Also Playtex with the disposable bags is safe. Medela also uses safe plastics.
From what I understand, as long as you don't microwave your daughters bottles with the milk in them and avoid using the dishwasher the Dr. Browns is okay. It is exposure to really high heat that breaks the plastic down.

I think it's just a way to scare mommies into buying the "new" bottles.

How many babies have you heard of getting sick or being harmed in some developmental way from using the "old" bottles???

Haven't had time to read all the responses yet, but I too am concerned. My littlest one was mostly breastfed(I can count how many times she used a bottle on 2 hands) & now that we are using sippy cups, I ordered a Foogo (by Thermos brand) one online for her. Got rid of the old ones. (Feel bad for my older DD though!!) I have also heard of Born Free bottles without BPA's and other places have glass ones. I think Nuby makes BPA free sippy cups, but haven't been able to find in stores, only online. Scary times we are living in. Especially when other countries run tests and BAN dyes/additives to products and our govt. does NOTHING and we rarely hear about any of it!! Best wishes!! R.

I think your putting to much into it.If you want to be sure then talk it over with your childs doctor.

A.,

Hi! I am pregnant again with our 2nd child and have seen all of the reports too. I must admit that I am concerned as well. I was told that the bottles made by a company called Born Free were good to use. I have not bought any yet, but plan to try them out when our next child comes.

I must also admit that there is so much stuff coming out that sometimes I feel like you do, "is this just another thing to change." I'd love to know what you end up doing. - A.

A.,

First, I know you are a great mother because you are concerned about your child and you are asking the right questions. As a mother that nursed and then fed her whildren from a glass bottle, I was leary when they put plastic in front of us but I went with it. But years ago we were told about the dangers of heating food in the microwave in plastic bowls and with plastic wrap. This is no different than plastic bottles being heated with milk in then to my way of thinking. Notice that all baby bottles in the hospitals are GLASS. I should suggest that until there is convincing information one way or the other that your protedt yourlittle one and use glass or never heat your child's bottle in the mocrowave. Heat water in a pan and place the bottle in the hot water. Of heat the mikl up in glass and then poor into the bottle. Have wonderful day and give that precious blessing from God a special moment of MOMMY TIME today. And don't forget to take care of yourself also. A tired Mommy is not a happy Mommy. Sleep when your baby sleeps.
Aunt Cindy

Try weaning your baby to drinking from cups. Read "Montessori From the Start" a great book, practical in its approach about the aiding of independence for our young children. It's amazing how we can help our children through developmental milestones in simple, satisfying and seemingly incredible ways when we approach parenting with their developmental needs in mind.....

Thankfully my twin boys are 2 so the bottles are history, but I have certainly been payimg attention to the reports on BPA & phthalates. I commend you on taking your baby's health seriously & trying to do something about the knowledge you have been given via research. Don't worry if everyone else agrees with you, if you feel there is a need for change based on good solid research then make no apologizes & go with it. I found some cheap bottles that are glass that I'd change to if we were still in bottle mode, Evenflo Glass Nurser 6 pk of 8oz for $9.99 at BabiesRus

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=286479...

Good luck & God bless :)

A., I believe it's another well-crafted marketing ploy. Whenever there's a scare, then there is automatically something "new and improved" (as opposed to what old and disgusting) to take its place at 10-20% over the normal cost. My niece, a biologist had the same concern, and I told her to buy the plastic bottle inserts like I did when I had my first child more than 15 years ago or buy glass bottles. If you guys will be changing to a sippy cup right around the 1st birthday, as I did w/ours I think it'll all work out just fine. Happy Valentine's Day.