The ABCs of Baby Bottles page 2

Q: Should I only use brand-new plastic bottles then?

A: Apparently, BPA’s chemical bond with polycarbonate breaks down over time, especially with repeated washings or heating of the bottle. “As a result, BPA may leach out of the plastic bottle or sippy cup and into the liquid,” Dr. Brown says. So the older your bottle, the more potential there is for exposure.

Still, keep in mind that the testing that has been done to date has only been on animals. “The truth is, we won’t know for years if there is a human health problem and it could be years before the government takes some regulatory action,” she adds.


Q: Are there any other helpful tips I should know if I’m already using plastic bottles?

A: Avoid washing them in a dishwasher (rinse them with warm, soapy water instead). Skip the microwave or sterilizer and toss any bottles that are cracked or cloudy. When in doubt, use glass bottles. “Obviously there is a risk of injury to baby or mom if the bottle is dropped, so glass isn’t a perfect alternative,” says Dr. Brown. “The other option is to buy bottles made of opaque plastic. These bottles (made of polyethylene or polypropylene) do not contain BPA.”

Q: So what's the bottom line on the plastic bottle debate?

A: "Everything about this is theoretical at this point," says JJ Levenstein, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician in Los Angeles (and member of The Cradle's Advisory Board). “However, if buying BPA-free bottles allows you to sleep better at night, buy them.”

All in all, it might be better to be safe than sorry. Until definitive proof on BPA is clear, it could give you some peace of mind to simply avoid it.

News update: JPMA Supports Safety of Baby Bottles

See also : Bottles: A Breakdown

This article was reviewed by Christopher Gavigan, the Executive Director and CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World, and member of The Cradle’s Advisory board.