BPA in Baby Bottles

[zeitgeist]

Instead of turning this dead thread into a zombie...

Bisphenol A

I first heard about this and the bottle recalls ages ago, it seems. Well before I even suspected that we'd be having a baby this year.

I was reminded the other day when I was out shopping with my wife. I came across a package of Avent pacifiers that were labeled "BPA Free." It sparked a bit of a memory, but not much, so I pulled out the iPhone and did a little research.

Dose (µg/kg/day) - Effects
0.025 - Permanent changes to genital tract
0.025 - Changes in breast tissue that predispose cells to hormones and carcinogens
2 - increased prostate weight 30%
2 - lower bodyweight, increase of anogenital distance in both genders, signs of early puberty and longer estrus.
2.4 - Decline in testicular testosterone
2.5 - Breast cells predisposed to cancer
10 - Prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer
10 - Decreased maternal behaviors
30 - Reversed the normal sex differences in brain structure and behavior
50 - U.S. human exposure limit (not a result from an animal study, but a guideline set by EPA)

Bisphenol A - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well. Ok. Uh...

Decreased maternal behavior? Permanant changes to the genital tract? Reversed sex differences in the brain and sexual behavior? (Is it just me, or does that sound freakishly like these studies show that this substance makes people gay?) Increased suceptibility to cancer? WHAT IS THIS CRAP DOING IN ANY PRODUCT, MUCH LESS BABY BOTTLES?!?

All right, breathe. She doesn't need baby bottles, she should be fine if she's breast fed, righ...

Population Estimated daily bisphenol A intake, μg/kg/day
Infant (0–6 months)
formula-fed 1–11
Infant (0–6 months)
breast-fed 0.2-1
Infant (6–12 months)
1.65–13
Child (1.5–6 years)
0.043–14.7
Adult
0.008–1.5

... damn. What. The. Hell.

At least there's this bright spot:

Types 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), 5 (polypropylene), and 6 (polystyrene) do not use bisphenol A during polymerization or package forming.

Looks like if we avoid products with recycling marks 7 and 3, we avoid the BPA.

I bought the BPA free set. The thing is, though, that it was the ONLY product on the shelf (which was extensive) that proclaimed that it was BPA free. I'm just starting the search for BPA-free products... have others around here been doing the same and having any luck? Or have you heard any more about efforts to remove the stuff from baby bottles and food products?

[Xero]

That's crazy!! How awful. Man, that's frustrating. I really hope nothing I've brought into contact with Eli has affected him, or could. How do you even know?? You wouldn't even know. D: Aaaahhhg

[jayman]

Here is argument from the other side: Myth 10: Baby bottles with BPA are dangerous. « Mommy Myth Buster

I personally went out and purchased glass bottles. Of course, all you have to do is turn your head and realize we are surrounded by plastics...

[zeitgeist]

We bought glass bottles today. Problem solved.

... uh. Plastic screw-tops and silicone nipples? Man, I hope those are OK.
(The labeling did say BPA free...)

[Xero]

Where do you get glass bottles? Sounds cool. I would purchase glass bottles too, if it weren't for the fact that they cause gas so bad. Some babies are fine, but most babies need bottles with some kind of air-elimination system in it. I went through a couple different kinds with Eli, the playtex ones with the bags that eliminate air because the bag goes down with the formula and then the playtex vent-airs which have a vent at the bottom that lets in air as the formula gets sucked out. Everything else (solid bottles, any of the regular stuff) just filled him with bubbles and gas. Sucked.

I don't know what the glass ones look like though. That would be nifty.

[zeitgeist]

I had glass ones when I was little.

These I bought in a store nearby - they're Evenflo "classic" bottles that come with "CustomFlow" nipples which "Sense baby's pressure and respond with the right ammount of liquid. Micro Air Vents prevent nipple collapse and keep air out of baby's tummy."

I hope that's how they work.

[Xero]

The nipples on Eli's bottles were like that, it's a good thing for sure.

Isn't mom breast feeding anyway? I can't remember, I thought you said that. That's always best in every way possible.

[zeitgeist]

Originally Posted by Xero

Isn't mom breast feeding anyway? I can't remember, I thought you said that. That's always best in every way possible.

Yup. Thing is, though, that mom isn't always going to be home and on those rare times when I'm left solely in charge... sad to say at 33 years my breasts have yet to develop. Not even the first sign of milk. Always the last to blossom.

[Xero]

Aww... poor zeitgeist. D: hehe

[zeitgeist]