What is Bisphenol-A and why should you be concerned about it?
Bisphenol-A is a hormone disruptor. It mimics estrogen in the human body and can have an estrogenizing effect on animals and humans when it's absorbed into their bodies. In animal studies, it causes diabetes and disrupts the endocrine system. It leaches from polycarbonate, which is what most baby bottles are made from. All 5 of the major brands -Avent, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo, Gerber and Playtex - leach Bisphenol-A, according to a recent government study.
Scientists and researchers warn that Bisphenol-A could have dangerous health problems like cancer, developmental delays and immune and neural system disorders. Because it's used in so many products, it's one of the top fifty products that the chemical industry produces and generates several million dollars a day in profits in Europe, Asia and the United States.
What are some other products that you might not want in your baby's bottles?
Phthalates, which cause cancer and early puberty in animal studies are added to plastic to make it flexible. Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium often find their way into plastic as part of the molding process, and many chemicals are used to un-mold the products.
Is it possible to live without plastic and what are some alternatives?
Glass is a good alternative to plastic. For those of us over fifty, glass baby bottles were the norm and we managed to survive babyhood just fine. Breastfeeding, of course, is the best option for babies, but even so, bottles are needed sometimes. And for many reasons, breastfeeding isn't always an option. Surely, your baby's health is worth a try with using glass bottles.
If you can't bring yourself to give up the light weight and shatterproof plastic, there are plastic bottles that are Bisphenol-A and phthalate-free. There are also safer sippy cups available for toddlers. And while you're eliminating these plastic toxins from your baby, you might want to think about getting rid of plastic entirely, at least as much as possible.
Our planet is clogged with plastic. Our landfills are overflowing with plastic bags and junk that won't go away for generations. Our oceans have more plastic than plankton in them. Sea creatures and fish choke to death from plastic six-pack rings and from eating plastic bags and packaging that looks like food to them. It's not only our babies and children who are being harmed by plastic toxins. It's our earth and our future that's at stake.
