Study shows popular baby bottles may be dangerous

[Xax]

I don't see why linking to this story wouldn't be allowed, so here's the link: http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/news/baby_bottles.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

Affected brands are Avent, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex -- pretty much all the major players.

I was planning on buying Playtex's Ventaire bottles for our twins, but this sounds pretty serious. I had noticed some time ago on Amazon.com's Ventaire product pages that someone had posted a warning about this exact issue.

Any recommendations for a safe bottle?

[numommie]

We use glass bottles for our 6 month old. It's hard finding these. Selected Babies R' Us sell them. I'm not sure what to use once my son will be able to hold his own bottle or sippy cup.

Do any of you freeze homemade baby food in glass baby food jars? Any problems?

[Kranberry]

I don't see why linking to this story wouldn't be allowed, so here's the link: http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/news/baby_bottles.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

Affected brands are Avent, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex -- pretty much all the major players.

I was planning on buying Playtex's Ventaire bottles for our twins, but this sounds pretty serious. I had noticed some time ago on Amazon.com's Ventaire product pages that someone had posted a warning about this exact issue.

Any recommendations for a safe bottle?

Just to let you know BPA is the compound that they found and it is used to make LOTS of plastic. Not all plastics, but who are we to know which has BPA and which doesn't?

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Out-Of-Diet-PG5nov03.htm

This not only includes baby bottles, but probably the plastic toys, (if you read the article dental sealants), the plastic bowl your baby is using, the plastic teething rings, plastic this plastic that. Unless you plan to remove plastics entirely or reduce it by a significant portion, you and your baby are going to be bombarded by BPA. Not saying that is a good thing, it is a bad thing, but until the government steps up, some medical study is found or enough people get sick from it, it will still be used.

[Xax]

I'm still waiting for a follow-up to the story, but I found a bit more information here:

http://www.daddytypes.com/2007/02/28/about_that_bottle_of_death_you_just_put_in_the_kid s_mouth_again.php

[Jonavin]

You could change the bottle to glass, but the nipple/pacifier will still be rubber/plastic. So your only chose is breast feeding?

[Xax]

You could change the bottle to glass, but the nipple/pacifier will still be rubber/plastic. So your only chose is breast feeding?
From the article, polypropylene-based plastic baby bottles are another option (Medela sells such bottles). Polypropylene nipples are available also.

[bionicbadger]

FYI
The Playtex Drop-In System is used with liners (Playtex Drop-Ins and Playtex rolled
liners) made of plastic materials that do not contain Bisphenol A.

[Xax]

Oh yeah, forgot about the liners. What sucks is that I was really excited (I know, I'm a dork) to get Playtex Ventaire bottles for our twins, largely because they're supposed to help a lot with gas. Anyone know if liners are any better or worse than bottle only?

[Cyber6]

Oh yeah, forgot about the liners. What sucks is that I was really excited (I know, I'm a dork) to get Playtex Ventaire bottles for our twins, largely because they're supposed to help a lot with gas. Anyone know if liners are any better or worse than bottle only?


I always found out that liner bottles were better than regular bottles. If you squeeze the extra air before giving the bottle to the child, you reduce to almost nil the chances of air swallowing. Almost like a syringe, the child (by sucking) creates a negative vacuum.


C.

[ephemera]

Glass bottles can break and be a much greater safety hazard.

Toxic baby bottles sound more like an urban legend.

[ayeung]

From the book "What to Expect the First Year"

"Plastic containers are better than glass for collecting and storing breast milk, not only because glass is breakable, but also because disease-fighting white blood cells in mother's milk have been shown to cling more to glass than to plastic, making them less available to baby."

[Jonavin]

From the book "What to Expect the First Year"

"Plastic containers are better than glass for collecting and storing breast milk, not only because glass is breakable, but also because disease-fighting white blood cells in mother's milk have been shown to cling more to glass than to plastic, making them less available to baby."

That's interesting. Do you know where their sources are for this info? I would interested in looking at the data for this research.

[llbgal]

From the book "What to Expect the First Year"

"Plastic containers are better than glass for collecting and storing breast milk, not only because glass is breakable, but also because disease-fighting white blood cells in mother's milk have been shown to cling more to glass than to plastic, making them less available to baby."

CHOICE OF A STORAGE CONTAINER

When a baby is only receiving expressed milk occasionally, the type of storage container is not a major consideration; however, if a baby is receiving most of his nourishment from expressed breastmilk, the type of storage container used should be considered carefully. Plastic containers are the best choice for storing breastmilk in the refrigerator as more of human milk's leukocytes or white cells adhere to glass. If the milk is to be frozen, glass is the preferred choice as it is less porous and offers the best protection. Most of the leukocytes in human milk are killed with freezing anyway. For this reason, milk that can be used within 8 days of expression should be refrigerated rather than frozen, because the antimicrobial properties of human milk are better preserved with refrigeration.

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/storagehandling.html

(also note that there is a difference between plastics)

[llbgal]

I just found a website called the Green Guide -- the whole debate about BPA seems to have been going on for several years.

They have an article about the "baby bottle dangers"

http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=55

and they have an article about possible solutions:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=55&sec=2

I thought the articles were useful and informative.

[llbgal]

I think this is the most I have ever posted in a row... but, I found anotther great article!

http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=44&sec=1

The solutions for this article indicates the "safer" plastics:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=44&sec=3

[Xax]

Good info; thanks for the links.

[ayeung]

llbgal, great articles you found!! Thanks!

Now, it makes me really nervous about using Avent bottles as they're not on the safe list.

Also, I sterilize the bottles everytime before use with those steam sterilizer (so heat speed up the leakage of the harmful chemical, bisphenol-A) and reheat the milk in electric baby food warmer (again, speed up and increase the amount of leakage to the milk).

[llbgal]

:confused: :confused: :confused: I have been reading a lot about plastics these last few days. I want to try to replace ds's sippy cup -- sadly -- I don't know where I stand! We have started using glass/ceramic at home during meals -- but not sure what to do at bedside. SIGG bottles are aluminum (ick) BUT the bottle liner apparently ensures no aluminum will leach. Then there are also stainess steel (Klean Kanteen) BUT apparently SS isn't that great either b/c it can leach nickel.:eek:

So -- I am not sure if I should just keep using my #5 PP -- as it is apparently a "safer" plastic.... <sigh>

[ayeung]

How about wood bottles, wood cups, wood toys, etc ....

I'm so terrified to see all those articles that says plastic bottles by big reputable companies are not safe. It's so frustrating.

I am now starting to give my little one cold milk (or as close as room temperature as possible) as suppose to heat it up in the bottle warmer ... lucky she takes it.

[Jonavin]

How about wood bottles, wood cups, wood toys, etc ....

I'm so terrified to see all those articles that says plastic bottles by big reputable companies are not safe. It's so frustrating.

I am now starting to give my little one cold milk (or as close as room temperature as possible) as suppose to heat it up in the bottle warmer ... lucky she takes it.

Some wood is just food for all kinds for spores, and bacteria. So I don't think that's any better unless its properly treated, but then you have to worry about the treated layer coming off and being consumed.

I was watching a show on the food network and they had a segment on "corn plastic" which is biodegradable, unlike all the other plastics. Unfortunately I don't think we'll see a baby bottle being made form this material because the bottle will probably fall apart when you apply heat to sterilize it. And who knows what other problems this material may have.

http://biotaspringwater.com/bottle

[Xax]

No doubt about it; it's a very inconvenient issue, but I'm committed to doing what's right for our kids. Most likely we'll end up getting some PP #5 bottles from Medela, as we already have a Medela breast pump with bottles. However, we may also go with a typical bottle with drop-ins.

[llbgal]

I found this website for those of you looking for baby bottles or baby bottle type sippy's.

http://www.newbornfree.com/Catalog.aspx?categoryid=8756

My son is 3 and he never drank from baby bottles so has never liked that type of sippy -- he likes the rubbermaid type with the straw. They are #5 PP -- so, I think, at this point, that will be what we continue with.

[ayeung]

Is PP#5 really better? I just checked that those plastic containers I got from dollar store are also pp#5 ...!

I wonder if it's equally safe to use those from dollar store than getting those expensive milk storage bottles/sippy confused: ?

[llbgal]

Is PP#5 really better? I just checked that those plastic containers I got from dollar store are also pp#5 ...!

I wonder if it's equally safe to use those from dollar store than getting those expensive milk storage bottles/sippy confused: ?

I don't really know if there is a "good" plastic -- refer to the article I posted before:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=44&sec=3

I have seen similar info. on other sites as well. I think that what we are faced with is a dilemma... do you choose plastic that could leach something, stainless steel that could leach something or aluminum with a lining that, to me, could still leach?? Or do you go with glass that while it does not leach can be inconvenient at times (e.g. schools not allowing glass; breakable; if there is a lid more for a toddler to undo in the middle of the night... etc. etc.)

The PP #5 may not leach BPA -- but, I have certainly noticed that water tastes/smells funny if it is in those bottles for any length of time.

We are not going to put ANY plastics in the dishwasher from now on and I am going to replace the current sippy's I have. The other thing I have been reading is that most of those plastic bottles should be replaced frequently.

Does anyone know if stainless steel leaches nickel if ONLY water is in it??

[ayeung]

So, nothing is really safe or good to use ... how sad esp when I look at my baby and sorry, I don't even know how to feed you.

Anyone know if sterilizing plastic bottles (both pp# 5 or non pp#5) will leak the toxic into the water/steam residual in the bottle? Then, should I sterilize them? If I do sterilize them, how long will the toxic remain in the bottle before I use? I bought the sterilizer and bottle warmer a month ago for $200 + and I guess now they are just worthless.

[llbgal]

So, nothing is really safe or good to use ... how sad esp when I look at my baby and sorry, I don't even know how to feed you.

Anyone know if sterilizing plastic bottles (both pp# 5 or non pp#5) will leak the toxic into the water/steam residual in the bottle? Then, should I sterilize them? If I do sterilize them, how long will the toxic remain in the bottle before I use? I bought the sterilizer and bottle warmer a month ago for $200 + and I guess now they are just worthless.

I completely understand how you are feeling... however, I think what you should try to do is just the best you can with the information we have.:|

It's really difficult when there is not an obvious right choice.

Clearly this whole bottle thing makes me realize even more that breast truly is best... but, I am sure we have toxins inside us that are getting passed along too!

If it were my baby and I was bottle feeding... I would like get those "born free" bottles at least it is known that BPA is not in them... as for sterilizing... I would either follow the instructions on the bottle or look into which is worse for degrading plastic. My own thought would be that dishwashers would be the worst... (even if you boil... it is not for that long)... there are electric sterilizers too....

Not really helpful... I know... I don't know that there is a great choice...

[Jonavin]

I completely understand how you are feeling... however, I think what you should try to do is just the best you can with the information we have.:|

It's really difficult when there is not an obvious right choice.

Clearly this whole bottle thing makes me realize even more that breast truly is best... but, I am sure we have toxins inside us that are getting passed along too!

If it were my baby and I was bottle feeding... I would like get those "born free" bottles at least it is known that BPA is not in them... as for sterilizing... I would either follow the instructions on the bottle or look into which is worse for degrading plastic. My own thought would be that dishwashers would be the worst... (even if you boil... it is not for that long)... there are electric sterilizers too....

Not really helpful... I know... I don't know that there is a great choice...

I think if you search hard enough you find lots of articles about why X is bad, including breast feeding. One issue is that because of the toxins in our modern environment in our bodies, the baby will get a concentrated dosage.

This one is an interesting read.

http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2005/Toxic-Breast-Milk9jan05.htm

[llbgal]

I think if you search hard enough you find lots of articles about why X is bad, including breast feeding. One issue is that because of the toxins in our modern environment in our bodies, the baby will get a concentrated dosage.

This one is an interesting read.

http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2005/Toxic-Breast-Milk9jan05.htm

Thanks Jonavin... that WAS a great read! I think it reinforces my point, and yours, that you simply have to choose the best of the bunch for you personally. As with the author of that article, I choose to bf my daughter (and previously with my son) because I believe that when you list all the pros and cons, for me, bf wins out.

I think the same rational approach has to be taken with plastics. Do your best. Eliminate where you can and what you feel comfortable with. I have been researching plastics, aluminum, stainless steel sippy's for days... and at the end of it all -- I honestly feel like it might be 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other.

[Xax]

Keep in mind that drop-ins are very much a viable solution. They also mean less frequent washing of bottles and (I'm fairly certain) less gas issues.

There is no longer any serious debate regarding the superiority of breast milk, is there? Not from informed people, I wouldn't expect. There's obviously no such thing as 100% pure breast milk, but it's still undoubtably the best option for the child by a mile. (Of course, I realize not all women are able to breastfeed for one reason or another.)

[NSMum]

Found this while doing some reading.

http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/babybottle.html

[Xax]

NSMum, thanks for the link. It was an interesting read, but I noticed that the article was published in 1999; 8 years ago. The current warnings (from the U.S.'s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) are based on recent study.

[Jonavin]

Found this while doing some reading.

http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/babybottle.html

This article is dated in 1999. Doesn't the other articles point to new studies that show these bottles are dangerous? In any case, I do feel like there's too much fear mongering going on lately.

[NSMum]

NSMum, thanks for the link. It was an interesting read, but I noticed that the article was published in 1999; 8 years ago. The current warnings (from the U.S.'s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) are based on recent study.

Yes, the article I posted was from 1999, but dates aside, I think the underlying message that these studies (regardless of when they were conducted) may not be as truthful as the media leads us to believe. There's a big difference between finding a problem in a test group of 14 mice rather than a group of 600 as the quackwatch.com article pointed out.

Coincidentally, the first study cited involving 14 mice was also conducted at the University of Missouri, the same place as the current study(different researchers but I suspect probably using the same methods as the previous studies) The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)

Also, the CNN article says the bottles were tested at a lab,but doesn't mention how? Were they subjected to the normal wear and tear of everyday use or lab conditions that these bottles would never be subjected to in the real world? Just too many unknowns . I'd be more likely to believe a report where the bottles were tested under normal circumstances rather than extreme lab conditions that the bottles would never be used for.

I'm not saying that parents shouldn't be concerned(I am trying to cut down an the amount of plastics in our house, but will be keeping the Avent bottles--using common sense and checking them after every use and throwing them out when they begin to show signs of aging). I do think that we have to question these studies and look at the data more closely than just the info that CNN gets from a news release and can fit into a column on a website. JMHO though :)

[llbgal]

Yes, the article I posted was from 1999, but dates aside, I think the underlying message that these studies (regardless of when they were conducted) may not be as truthful as the media leads us to believe. There's a big difference between finding a problem in a test group of 14 mice rather than a group of 600 as the quackwatch.com article pointed out.

Coincidentally, the first study cited involving 14 mice was also conducted at the University of Missouri, the same place as the current study(different researchers but I suspect probably using the same methods as the previous studies) The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)

Also, the CNN article says the bottles were tested at a lab,but doesn't mention how? Were they subjected to the normal wear and tear of everyday use or lab conditions that these bottles would never be subjected to in the real world? Just too many unknowns . I'd be more likely to believe a report where the bottles were tested under normal circumstances rather than extreme lab conditions that the bottles would never be used for.

I'm not saying that parents shouldn't be concerned(I am trying to cut down an the amount of plastics in our house, but will be keeping the Avent bottles--using common sense and checking them after every use and throwing them out when they begin to show signs of aging). I do think that we have to question these studies and look at the data more closely than just the info that CNN gets from a news release and can fit into a column on a website. JMHO though :)


However, there are also recent studies showing a link between prostate cancer and BPA.

I agree that the media can skew things and that there likely is some fear mongering -- however, imo, I would rather at least know about these studies and then choose accordingly. One can choose to disregard, to cut down or whatever suits you. Just because these plastics are allowed by our government (and in the US) does not, personally, make me feel any safer. The way I look at is that most plastics have not necessarily been around long enough -- and obviously we have not done studies on babies to see what would happen if....

It is hard with so many things made of plastic to completely eliminate all. We are choosing glass where possible and otherwise one of the "safer" plastics if there is not a good glass alternative.

[Xax]

The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)
That's a good question. I'm still waiting to hear about the follow-up conference set for earlier this month. I would love for this to turn out to be unfounded, for convenience sake.

[ayeung]

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083

I think I'll get rid of the Avent bottles and use Medela's.

[llbgal]

I recently discovered klean kanteens (stainless steel water bottle holders and sippy cups)... I am thinking of placing an order to get some.... they are in the U.S. so I was thinking if anyone is interested we could do a co-op type thing (so we all get a better price).

pm if interested...

[gorf]

Was looking for some baby gifts online and found a company that sells glass bottles and Bisphenol-A Free Plastic bottles but are quite expensive me thinks.

http://www.cheekymonkey.ca/Feeding.htm

[llbgal]

You can get evenflo glass bottles from the U.S. way cheaper. Also, Medela plastic bottles are apparently BPA free.

[look30]

We use only glass bottles ever since I heard about this problem on TV.
I don't usually believe everything I hear/read but in this case is just not worth taking the risk.
Plastics are new to us and considering the boom in cancer cases at almost any age there is a correlation in my mind between cancer and plastics , the are no coincidences IMHO, and just to be on the safe side we use the glass bottle.
To people thinking that glass bottle will shatter... they are built like a tank, our baby dropped them from various heights and they're still like new after almost one year of continuous service :)

It's up to you to switch and keep in mind that pretending there is no problem will not make it go away.

P.S. I kept all the plastic bottles for the class action I see in the near future agains Avent , Gerber and Co.

[Munchos]

I keep our boy in a bubble all day to help keep him safe from all that could possibly harm or have devestating side effects ;)

I have no problem using plastic bottles, and when he drops his soother on the ground I -GASP- don't rinse it either. This sounds like a little extremism not to use plastic bottles.

I wonder how home plastic pipes and pvc piping affects the water content? Or milk being stored in plastic containers and bags? Seems kinda odd when you pour milk from plastic containers into glass bottles because you are afraid of plastic leaching into the bottle contents.

[Jonavin]

I saw glass bottles being sold at Toysrus for the first time this week. If anybody is looking to use glass baby bottles, try there. I saw them at Markville Toysrus (in case not all of them carry this). The label says it's only good for 0 to 3 months for some reason. There was two sizes, and it's was about $5 each.

We didn't bother to buy them because we already have Medela plastic bottles and our baby will be exclusively breast-fed the first 6 months.

[gorf]

I was talking to someone today who just saw their pediatrian and phoned Gerber and Gerber states that the following plastic bottles are Bisphenol-A Free.
: Gerber Clear View
: Gerber Fashion Tint
: Gerber Gentle Flow

The pediatrian said regardless, "all" plastic baby bottles should only be used for a maximum of 3 months and tossed and glass bottles should be tossed after 6 months usage.

I think the best bet is for everyone to talk to your pediatrician about your concerns and then make the best decision for yourself and your baby.

[llbgal]

I keep our boy in a bubble all day to help keep him safe from all that could possibly harm or have devestating side effects ;)

I have no problem using plastic bottles, and when he drops his soother on the ground I -GASP- don't rinse it either. This sounds like a little extremism not to use plastic bottles.

I wonder how home plastic pipes and pvc piping affects the water content? Or milk being stored in plastic containers and bags? Seems kinda odd when you pour milk from plastic containers into glass bottles because you are afraid of plastic leaching into the bottle contents.

I just noticed this post now... I think the thing you have to understand is that not ALL plastics are equal! While, as a parent, it is certainly your prerogative to do what YOU feel is best for YOUR child -- likewise, it is MY prerogative to do what I feel is best for mine. And, so you are aware, the plastic used for bagged milk is usually #2 or #4 (I can't recall off the top of my head which) -- neither have been shown to have BPA. Furthermore, many people may not be using baby bottles for cow's milk, but, rather for pumped breastmilk or formula.