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BPA and Bottles--Are you 'in the know?'
I'm not sure I'm 'in the know' but I thought I'd put this out here.
From Wikipedia:
"Bisphenol A (abbreviated BPA) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2C(C6H4OH)2. Containing two phenol functional groups, it is a difunctional building block to several important polymers and polymer additives.[1] Bisphenol A has become controversial because it mimics estrogen and thus could induce hormonal responses."
So, I called my favorite baby bottle company a couple of days ago. I'm not sure if I should use proper company names, so I don't do it in my blogs. Let's just say that I called Flerber. I had one of the most circuitous conversations I've ever had in my life. It makes sense that this company makes products geared toward children. The conversation reminded me of the kind I have with my 4 yr old every day.
Here's the bottom line (correct me if I'm wrong!):
Bottles with BPA are hard, clear plastic ones. The most popular brand is Cravent (or something like that). Flerber continues to sell some bottles that include BPA in the manufacturing process.
I just found this interesting article on www.about.com
http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2007/08/27/growing-concern-controversy-o...
Interesting about the formula cans. I'm nursing, but supplementing with a bottle fo formula every day. I wonder if I should open the can and put it in some other container (non-BPA) to old until I'me ready for it? I wonder if you can freeze formula. Once you open the can, you are supposed to use it within 30 days. I'm snailing along making one bottle a day. Between my slow usage and the BPA in the liner, it might be good to freeze it in another container. I don't know...
With my daughter, I had a whole ton of those Cravent bottles. I paid plenty for them and just hated them. They would leak all the time. Finally, I just gave them all away and bought the cheap Flerbers. Turns out that the cheap Flerbers (opaque, colored, softer plastic) are BPA free. So, looks like I'm good!
I know I'm probably turning myself into the biggest, neurotic nut over all these kinds of things. It's just that technology has come so far since I was little. We didn't have so many of these weird polymers and plastics created one day and on the market the next. When it comes to my babies, I really think it's my job to be super-vigilant about their health, education and safety. Right?
Comments
I'm right there with you. Don't tell my daughter, but this morning I trashed her pink Hello Kitty water bottle because it had the ominous "7" in the triangle on the bottom. Number 7 stands for polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. I'm so annoyed that yesterday was recycling day because there are now six days remaining for her to fish around in the recycling bin and find her favorite commercial kitty cat.
What about those bottles that have the plastic bag suspended in them? Do they still make them? I remember when I was nursing, I would store pumped breastmilk in the freezer in those plastic bags with twist ties on them. Then when I thawed them, I could just put them in the bottle. Who knows if they have BPA's...wasn't an issue back in the OLD days 12 years ago!
Premaking the formula and storing it in those plastic bag things might be the solution.
They still make those bottles with the plastic bag suspended in them but I remember my lactation consultant recommending that we don't use them because research was coming out saying that they weren't good to use.
But I did store breast milk in those little bags in the freezer ... and that was three years ago.