More than bottles: A BPA-Free guide that goes past bottle for babies

November 10, 3:32 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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Avoid containers with a #7 recycle code

Every time you read a story about BPA, you read about baby bottles. But there's more out there for kids (and adults) with BPA lurking inside than just the bottle. Yet the Environmental Working Group says, "The developing fetus and baby are the most vulnerable to BPA’s toxic effects. Unfortunately they also have the most intense BPA exposure of any age group."

A report released at the end of October by an independent panel of scientists reporting to the FDA said "the FDA was wrong to base its August decision that BPA is safe only on studies funded by the chemical industry. Excluded studies suggest that BPA, which acts like the hormone estrogen, could pose harm to children at levels at least 10 times lower than what the agency allows," according to USA Today.

BPA is harmful, studies have shown, because it acts as a synthetic hormone and the longer a liquid sits in a container made with BPA, the more BPA that gets into the liquid. The BPA can alter cells inside the body, leading to cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and early puberty. Because of this, it is safer to give babies powdered formula than liquid formula from cans. The Environmental Working Group adds, "Less BPA leaches from plastic water bottles and food containers than from cans into canned foods and baby formula."

It is important to note that BPA is not just in baby bottles, though it is important to avoid it in baby bottles for sure. But BPA is also found at potentially harmful levels in canned goods, infant formula, and more.

Some tips from the Environmental Working Group for avoiding BPA include:

• When possible, avoid polycarbonate, especially for children's food and drinks. This plastic might be marked with the recycling code #7 or the letters “PC”.
• Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are better choices because they do not contain BPA.
• Avoid putting any plastic containers in microwaves. Wash plastics on the top shelf of your dishwasher or by hand.
• Some metal water bottles lined with an epoxy-based enamel coating could leach BPA.
• Look for stainless steel bottles that do not have a liner.
• Avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles.
  

So what is okay? Here's a guide to other BPA-free products for young children that I have tried out and really like...

• SiliKids makes everything out of silicone, from knee pads to bibs and bottle wraps, no BPA anywhere in sight.
• OnTray is a made in the USA, BPA-free product that goes on shopping carts kind of like a clip on plate but much cooler.
• LA Plate makes personalized plates with no BPA for pretty, fun and safe eating for toddlers.
• My Plate-Mate keeps food on plates for toddlers learning the art of self-feeding.
• Meal Mates by Learning Curve makes a whole line of plates, cups, sippys and more that are BPA-free and inexpensive but still high quality! Plus the cups have non-slip grips and insulate drinks.
• The Safe Sippy is a great sippy made out of stainless steel with handles and a non-slip grip. One of my favorites.
• Born-Free makes bottles yes, but they also make BPA-free pacifiers and stainless steel drinking bottles for older children.
• Trebimbi makes really cool plates and utensils out of BPA-free materials. The designs are whimsical and inspire my toddler to do her best to eat and drink neatly. (NiniAndLoli.com has a 10% off coupon code for Trebimbi using the code exam10tre.)
• Boon makes an entire line of BPA-free products, including utensils and snack cups, plus gives part of their profits to charity. (GenerationOrange.com has 10% off all of their earth friendly products including Boon using coupon code orange).
• Laptop Lunches makes lunch bags and containers all without BPA.
• Zo-li's Baby Ohm diaper changing mat is eco-friendly in addition to being free of BPA and other harmful materials.
• Playskool makes Wash and Toss sippy cups and an entertaining teething toy called Shake, Rattle & Roll that has no BPA, so little ones can munch away.
• Dwink juice box holders are also free of BPA and help kids keep from making a huge mess to clean up by putting a stop to squeezing.
• As you'd expect Whole Foods Markets sell a whole line of BPA-free and enviro-friendly baby items from bibs by i-play to shopping cart covers and teethers by Green Sprouts and more.