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Plastic Paranoia

I'm pretty sure I sucked down my fair share of formula from plastic bottles as an infant. But ever since I first heard the word leaching (as in toxins leaching from water bottle into water - shudder), I've been a little obsessed over cutting down on the plastic I have in my life. I use a BPA-free Brita pitcher every day, carry my Biter bottle with me everywhere, and definitely, always pass on the plastic bags at the grocery store. I'm forwarding today's tip (flagged "important") to everyone I know who has an infant...or a plastic water bottle. I even pop my Amy's organic frozen dinners out of their plastic dishes and nuke them on a real plate instead, and so far the only drawback is one more dish to wash, so I'm sticking to it.

-NY Editor Beth...off to pick up a glass storage container for my leftover beef and broccoli...

Posted by: hsnavely on 05/08/2008
related tip
It's an eyeful you'd probably rather avoid. Unfortch, many baby and adult water bottles are made from plastic that contains the toxin bisphenol A (BPA). Opt for BPA-free bottles, and hide your eyes from the rest.
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Jessica  on May 08, 2008 at 10:35 AM 11
Some of us breastfeeding working moms need bottles too, Julia. I use Born Free. They're pretty cheap as BPA Free bottles go. I don't think breastfeeding till four is weird, but I suppose I used to back before I had a baby. Now the more I read about the benefits of extended breast feeding, the more I wonder why so many people don't do it. Breast feeding is way easier than using formula, I think. Theres nothing to prepare! Just whip out your boob and BAM! You've made dinner. Awesome.
Adrie Lester  on May 08, 2008 at 10:44 AM 12
Come on guys! Why are you recommending "better" plastics (i.e. plastics that haven't been proven harmful *yet*) when you could recommend #1 Breastfeeding! and #2 Glass bottles.
melisa  on May 08, 2008 at 10:57 AM 13
I think Julia's point was valid---- if you're going to recommend a better product, why not recommend the BEST product. The main focus was bottle, bottle, bottle. Yes, of course some Moms need bottles even if they're breastfeeding, and a mention of the best product if you need to supplement with expressed milk would have sufficed, while instead it dominates the entire article! Perhaps that's the problem...there's nothing to SELL with breastfeeding! And I found the mention of extended nursing to be fairly insignificant within the context of the page... and a touch derogatory, as well!
Jessica  on May 08, 2008 at 11:16 AM 14
Come on, people, its an article on BPA, not bottles. There is no BPA in breasts. Everyone knows breast is best, complaining that Ideal Bite didn't point it out is kind of like complaining that Ideal Bite has never written a blog about how the sky is blue. And for the record, some of us breastfeeding moms have to supplement with formula also. Breast pumps don't remove as much milk as a baby does, and some people, myself included, just can't pump enough milk at work to feed our babies the next day as a result. There is no need to be so judgemental over how people feed their babies. What is important is that they are feeding their babies. I have known women who dont.
scotti  on May 08, 2008 at 11:19 AM 15
Hooray for the pro-breastfeeding comments! As a working mom who pumped for a long time - I wish I'd known all of this about the bottles! But now we're trying to get the bad sippy cups out of our house. I love the Klean Kanteen sippy cups. And they are coming out with cool color ones soon! www.kleankanteen.com
Lisa  on May 08, 2008 at 11:32 AM 16
Where's this study done in 2007 that links BPA to enlarged male breasts, earlier puberty in girls, and cancer?? I want to read it for myself!!
Jeanette  on May 08, 2008 at 11:38 AM 17
Question: I have a Nalgene bottle with a 7 and PC on the bottom. I know NOW that is a no-no bottle but don't know what to do with it? Should I just toss it in the recycle bin or have I already done the damage by buying it in the first place??? Thanks!
Susan  on May 08, 2008 at 12:59 PM 18
Guess what? Medela bottles are BPA- and pthalate-free. And always have been. In fact, I looked at the Web site (no I do not work for the company) and called and learned that all of their products that come into contact with breastmilk are BPA- and pthalate-free. Last I checked, these bottles were less expensive than Born Free. Check it out at http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/. --a nursing, working mom
Jan  on May 08, 2008 at 01:03 PM 19
It was actually my understanding that anything with a 3 or higher on the bottom contained potentially harmful chemicals. It's sad that my university's free water bottle for freshman had a 7 on the bottom, considering we are in a very health conscious town.
Julia Girdler  on May 08, 2008 at 02:01 PM 20
I think plastic is wonderful for a lot of things... I just don't want it touching every piece of food I eat and everything I drink from. Our family has eliminated plastic bottles, as well as pop cans with the BPA filled liner and canned food. Drastic? Maybe. But I recall 13 years ago when my pediatrician recommended NOT using glass because it leached out nutrients. Now, I feel like my kids have had their fill of all the BPA they'll need for a lifetime. What's the next "safe" chemical that they're going to find in plastic bottles? We've made the switch to Klean Kanteens and Siggs. Check out www.h2ox2.com for adult and kids bottles.
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