If you’re a parent, you might have noticed various labels on baby feeding products claiming to be “BPA free.” What does this mean, and how does it affect your child? BPA is a chemical added to plastic to make it harden. Until recently, it was added to baby bottles, liners, and cups. But, because the chemical can have an effect on brain development in young children, several states in the present have put a ban on it for products geared toward children tree years of age and younger. Already, Connecticut and Minnesota have such bans in place and others are planning similar measures.
Many retailers, even in states without bans, have stopped sales of such products. Nevertheless, how do you identify a product with BPA and can you be sure one doesn’t contain the chemical? Typically, if the packaging doesn’t list “BPA-free,” the cup or bottle should have a recycling symbol on the bottom. Any number 3 or 7 may contain BPA. Even then, for older plastic products, be wary of putting hot liquids inside and scratching the surface. Both instances may loosen the chemical in the plastic.
If you’re looking for a way to avoid such products entirely, breastfeeding is always an option, although some studies have shown that bottle feeding is nearly as effective. Nevertheless, if you need to have a bottle for your child, another option is a stainless steel baby bottle. As seen in the linked article, the bottle is made entirely from steel and no liners are needed inside. As no BPA is involved, the milk can go into the bottle as-is and, inside, interior markings indicate how much milk has been added. Additionally, if the bottle is thrown or dropped, it won’t break or dent.
