Today’s parenting tips are authored by Angie. Angie and her husband, Randy, own and operate DiapersEtc.com, which is an online business committed to bringing high quality diapering products, organic baby toys, skincare and clothing, and non-toxic baby products into environmentally friendly households. Diapers Etc. also carries BPA free bottles and children’s products.

Is BPA Safe for Your Family?

Hello NeenMachine.com readers! I am sure most of you have heard the term BPA or Bisphenol-A tossed around in the news frequently over the past few weeks. You may have even encountered a small riot on the baby bottle isle of your local Target when one frustrated employee was trying to explain to 78 parents in a panic which bottles were safe – and which contained BPA. So what is all the fuss? And should we be concerned?

The short answer is - Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been around for ages and is frequently used in plastic #7 (polycarbonate) and epoxy resins. It has long been regarded as safe in low levels, and you can still find many arguments for the safety of BPA.

However, some studies have shown that even very small levels of BPA can mimic estrogen and throw our hormones out of whack. BPA leaches into liquids when the plastic is heated from direct contact with hot liquids/foods, the microwave, and even the dishwasher. A recent evaluation of BPA indicated there is some cause for concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children - specifically effects of the mammary and prostate glands and an earlier age for puberty in females. Scary stuff.

Prefer the long answer? Check out the National Toxicology Program Brief on Bisphenol A.

What can you do?
Choose baby bottles and sippy cups that are made of glass or safe plastics like polypropylene or polyethersulfone. There are a growing number of great options available, and popular brands like Avent and Dr. Brown’s have announced plans for glass or safe plastic alternatives. You can find a number of BPA-free bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and other feeding tools at DiapersEtc.com.

• Choose soups and other canned foods that are packaged in aseptic packages instead of cans. Or choose brands like Eden foods that use BPA-free liners in their canned goods. Breastfeed when possible to reduce exposure from canned infant formula. For more information on baby formula recommendations, check out The Environmental Working Group.
• Ask your dentist for sealants that are free of Bisphenol A-derived materials, which can break down into BPA when in contact with saliva. Newer versions of Delton sealants contain the word plus (or the plus sign +) and do not contain any compounds that can break down into BPA.
• Avoid water bottles, like Nalgene, that are made from polycarbonate plastic (#7).
• Avoid food storage containers and utensils made from polycarbonate (#7). Store food in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers.
• If you must use polycarbonate plastic around food, avoid heating the plastic in the microwave and hand wash with mild soap.

Read more about BPA free bottles here.