Glass feeding bottles have had a resurgence in popularity because of the concerns about the possibility of chemicals in plastic being absorbed by formula.
In contrast, glass and stainless steel do not have issues with chemical leaching. The only other alternative to prevent chemicals from being ingested by babies is for the baby to feed on mother’s breast. However, mom’s would need to be careful about what they are ingesting as well.
Mother’s milk remains the healthiest form of food for your baby. It contains the proper combination of nutrients for a growing baby. The first form of mother’s milk is called colostrum, and it is loaded with nutrients and minerals which help with the baby’s growth, including tissue repair as well as boosting the immune system. It is the complete nutritional package for babies.
But, not every mom can breastfeed. Also, some moms find that they need to pump extra milk and need bottles to store the excess milk. Other moms need to formula feed or use formula as a supplement. Regardless, a bottle is a vital part of a newborn’s gear.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Related Best Baby Bottles In 2019 – By Price And Benefits
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
The fastest growing community of parents looking to connect
Baby Bottle Safety – Concerns About Plastic Bottles
The majority of bottles are made of plastic, as glass bottles tend to be more expensive and heavier in weight. But some plastic baby bottles present a silent threat. Plastic is composed of several chemicals, inherent, in their manufacturing process.
Some of these ingredients may include bisphenol-A (BPA). Research has found that BPA can be harmful to humans. It has been linked as a possible endocrine disruptor and may affect puberty.
It has also been linked to possible changes to other aspects of the hormone system. Studies indicate that BPA can affect both the male and female reproductive system [1].
Another chemical used in plastic manufacturing is phthalates. How this chemical affects humans is not entirely known. In part, it depends on the person and their individual sensitivity.
Research does indicate that babies, children (especially those experiencing puberty), and adult women are especially at risk for asthma and allergies [2].
Many plastic manufacturers have stopped using BPA in the manufacturing of baby bottles and plastic containers for food. Parents should look for plastic baby bottles that note they are BPA-free. The BPA in plastic manufacturing was replaced with bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF).
It was thought that these substitutes would not have the same side effects as BPA. Instead, they have been shown to have their own set of potential side effects. For instance, a UCLA research study found that BPS is capable of triggering embryonic development as well as disrupting the reproductive system [3].
Studies to verify these findings are still ongoing. However, BPA free alone may not mean that a product is free of potentially harsh chemical.
Modern Glass Baby Bottles
With the concerns about plastic bottles, people are returning to glass feeding bottles. Stainless steel is also sometimes used for baby bottles. While these are not organic substances, they have proven to be safe materials for food grade use. Unlike regular steel, stainless steel does not rust, which makes it safe for babies.
Other advantages of glass and stainless steel baby bottles include:
Non-porous
This means that the liquid inside the container does not leak through the walls. Glass, as well as stainless steel, has been used to store liquids because of its non-porous nature. Other natural materials, such as those used for pottery, are porous by nature and have to be glazed to create a non-porous surface.
Does not leach chemicals into the liquid
Chemicals can leach into liquids, increasing the chance that your baby may ingest these substances. Glass and stainless steel are impervious to any leaching.
No BPA, BPF, BPS or phthalates
The manufacturing process for stainless steel and glass does not include any BPA, BPF, nor BPS. The material used in glass is primarily silica. Stainless steel is made up mostly of iron in a bonded form which prevents rusting.
No plastic taste
Many liquids stored too long in plastic can develop a plastic-like smell. Also, the taste may also change. With glass and stainless steel bottles, you do not have those issues.
Durability
Glass bottles are made with tempered glass, which makes them harder to break. Given proper care and protection, there is little chance of it breaking when dropped by a baby or an adult. The same is also true of stainless steel bottles. Through use, stainless steel may have some dings and dents, but that is to be expected over time.
Easy to clean
Glass and stainless steel baby bottles both are easy to clean. These are dishwasher safe and can be left to dry.
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS
Once a month we publish a newsletter with member exclusive discounts
Popular BPA Free Baby Bottle Brands
Avent
This is a premium brand, and their bottles show the quality of design. It is made of pharmacy-grade borosilicate glass. The bottle mouth is wider than most, for easy filling. The mouth width relies on the use of Avent silicone nipples.
Evenflo
One of the oldest brands of baby bottles, it is also inexpensive, especially when compared to the premium brands. The glass bottles have a modern design and come with a slow flow silicone nipple. The budget pack comes with a set of several bottles.
Bornfree
This is a more expensive brand, but they have several choices between BPA-free plastic and glass bottles. The bottles come in 5- and 9-ounce sizes. These have a proprietary air vent system which prevents spit up. There is also a choice of nipples for slow, medium, fast, and variable-flow.
KleanKanteen
This is a lightweight, but heavy duty baby bottle for kids. It feels like a canteen due to its stainless steel construction. The cool design allows the baby to level up with a change in nipples to a sippy cup, or even a sports cap for older kids. The way this is constructed, it is sure to last years in service.
EARLY ACCESS
We’re publishing a comprehensive eBook for everything parents need to know – from skin care to remedies!
A Word About Baby Bottle Nipple Sizes
Feeding bottles come in different sizes. For smaller babies, the nipples and nipple holes should only allow enough liquid through which the baby is capable of swallowing. Large openings would let a larger volume of liquid through, making it difficult to drink.
At the same time, infants also cannot use large nipples, because they can only open their mouth by so much. As the baby grows, the nipples also need to be changed to allow for more liquid to flow.
The size of the bottle is also a consideration for the total volume per feeding. Additionally, glass bottles are heavier than plastic bottles. This makes large bottles awkward and unwieldy for small infants.
A word of caution: never leave a baby with a bottle in their mouth. This is a choking hazard especially when the baby has too much milk and not able to swallow correctly. Leaving a baby feeding while they sleep can also cause choking. Also, this practice can also cause tooth decay.
Cleaning Baby Bottles – Why The Right Dish Soap is Essential
A glass bottle may be easy to clean, and a BPA-free baby bottle may be safe, but when used with ordinary dishwashing liquid, there may still be residues which the baby can ingest with milk. Cleaning a baby bottle is different from cleaning everyday dishes, water bottles, and glassware.
The bottles also have unique designs which can trap solids and create a residue at the bottom of the bottle. Additionally, milk can spoil and split, with the solids adhering to the bottle. The use of a baby dish soap for baby bottles becomes necessary.
The ideal baby dish soap should have no harmful chemicals like parapets, whitening agents, phthalates, phosphates, other chemical residues, artificial dyes, and fragrances. It should be able to clean milk or formula and its residue, as well as food and different kinds of chemical buildups. These baby bottles should also be made with natural eco-friendly utensils.
How Do You Find the Best Dish Soap?
Buying the safest baby bottles for your infant is only half the answer. The other half is washing those bottles with organic dish soap. Just like formula may adhere to the inside of a bottle or nipple, so may the harsh chemicals in soap. Your baby will use a lot of bottles in their babyhood, and you don’t want them to absorb harsh or harmful chemicals.
The Best Organic Dish Soap For Your Baby
Dish soap does not undergo mandatory testing by the USDA. Thus, you must look at manufacturers that undergo voluntary certifications for their products. MADE OF is one such manufacturer. Their foaming dish soap has the following accreditations.
NSF Organic Standard
The NSF Organic Standard for Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients looks at both production and labeling requirements for personal care products that contain organic ingredients.
Leaping Bunny
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) bestows The Leaping Bunny Certification which recognizes those manufacturers that promote a comprehensive standard to help the consumer find animal-friendly products easier.
Vegan Certified
Vegan certified products do not contain any animal products or byproducts. They do not undergo any testing on animals. Furthermore, steps are taken so that all surfaces, vessels, utensils, and machinery does not contain any animal products or byproducts.
USDA Biopreferred
This program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA Biopreferred program was developed to promote the use of biobased products, that is those created using plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials.
MADE OF Foaming Dish Soap
MADE OF dish soap offers their Ultimate Transparency Promise. This means MADE OF bottle dish soap had been pediatrician and dermatologist reviewed. Their soap has undergone independent testing to demonstrate the soap is both bacteria and bleach-free. You will not find parabens in this cleanser.
MADE OF dish soap is made in Montana, USA. The factory uses only natural ingredients, ensuring that fragrances are created from pure essential oils. Herbs create the colorants and preservatives are plant-based. With MADE OF Foaming Dish Soap, you can clean your baby’s bottles and nipples while ensuring they are not absorbing any harmful ingredients.
A Last Word
The use of plastics for food containers has taken a different turn with the findings of certain chemicals in their manufacturing. This has led to a change in mentality concerning baby bottles and dishes.
Absorption of harmful chemicals can have both an immediate, as well as a lasting effect on children and babies. Avoid using plastics with BPA, BPF, BPS, and phthalates. Chemicals can leach and be absorbed into the liquids your baby drinks.
Taking care of children does not end with feeding and dressing them. It also requires parents to ensure that the baby’s environment is safe from disease–causing or toxic chemicals so that they develop in a healthy manner.
Organic Baby Bottles Resources:
[1] Medical News Today; How Does Bisphenol A affect health?, Christian Nordqvist, May 25, 2017.[2] National Center For Health Research; Phthalates and Children’s Products, Paul Brown, Keris KrennHrubec, Dana Casciotti, Ph.D., Brandel France de Bravo, MPH, Stephanie Fox-Rawlings, PhD, National Center for Health Research, 2016.
[3] Newsroom; Chemical used to replace BPA in plastic accelerates embryonic development, disrupts reproductive system, Elaine Schmidt,
