Bottle Feeding and BPA

The health and well-being of children, and infants especially, are in large part determined by whether or not the child is receiving proper nutrition. The nutritional needs of babies are much different than those of adults, but they are fairly easy for informed parents to meet. For a baby, breast milk has all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Infant formulas imitate breast milk. It is recommended to exclusively breastfeed your infant for six months after birth. Human milk supplies superlative nutrient content for very young children and weakens the possibility of developing multiple serious and enduring conditions. Also consider continuous breastfeeding for at least 12 months after birth, and thereafter as long as mutually desired.

If bottle feeding is necessary, there are a few things parents should be aware of, before proceeding. According to a study done on plastic baby bottles (feeding bottles) sold in Canada, researchers found that 90% of them leach Bisphenol A into liquids such as milk, infant formula, etc. This BPA leakage also applies to breast milk, which moms may store, refrigerate, and later reheat to be put into bottles. Because BPA has been found to be harmful, parents are advised to use glass baby bottles, instead of plastic baby bottles, or plastic bottles that are marked BPA free. The study showed that heating the feeding bottles resulted in an exponential increase in leaching of BPA.

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a manmade chemical used in polycarbonate plastic, the material used to make most baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic food containers. Americans are widely exposed to BPA, but opinions on its safety are mixed. The Food and Drug Administration says current uses with food are safe. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says animal testing has shown that BPA has hormone-like effects on the reproductive system. The CDC says more study is needed to see if it could be harming people. Some pediatricians advise families to use alternatives to plastic bottles to be on the safe side.

Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine have reported that BPA has shown to cause the loss of connections between brain cells. This synaptic loss may cause memory/learning impairments and depression, according to their study results, which is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Another study they conducted found that exposure in the womb to chemicals like BPA can increase an offspring’s risk of breast cancer.

Several states are considering restricting BPA use, and some manufacturers have begun promoting BPA-free baby bottles, and some stores are phasing out baby products containing the chemical. The six largest manufacturers of baby bottles will stop selling bottles in the United States made with BPA.

Many doctors and pediatricians have also spoken out against BPA and advise parents against plastic bottles altogether. Once babies can hold their own bottles or walk, they should not be given a glass bottle to drink on their own, experts say. Glass bottles are a great choice for parents with the youngest babies, still being safely held while they are fed. By the time the child is big enough to be walking around, a safer alternative is a sippy cup, and several BPA-free plastic cups are being made. As far as cleaning, the glass bottles can be boiled, go in the dishwasher or a sterilizer, just like plastic bottles. For good maintenance, the glass bottles should be checked regularly for nicks or cracks, and replaced if any are found, manufacturers say. Some bottle makers are also making new versions that are safer for babies. In November, two California companies introduced a glass bottle sheathed in a protective silicone sleeve, which helps protect the bottle from breakage and bumping into articles in the diaper bag. It is also a good insulator and provides a great tactile surface for babies' hands.

The Take Away

Though the exact harm caused by BPA to young children and their brain development is not completely clear, it is more than obvious that it is indeed a harmful substance that should be kept out of the products used for our youngest children. It is recommended that families switch to either glass bottles, or BPA free plastics, which are safer for the cognitive development of children.