OT - Toxic baby bottles!!

[kidshop]

In case it hasn't been mentioned, breastfeeding is also an option to reduce our infants exposure to BPA. I would hope this is also considered as an alternative rather than just non-BPA bottles. I encourage everyone to look into that option when considering infant feeding. Breastfeeding has many, many pluses.

 

[Princess_Michelle]

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[mickeywho?]

The first time I heard about this danger was from my mother telling me not to store our cases of water bottles in the garage in the summer as harmful chemicals would leach and cause cancer. Well - I rolled my eyes and told her to spend less of her retirement reading scarey news reports and more time actually enjoying herself. I thought nothing else of it until I began noticing similar reports about baby bottles - well my youngest is 7 so that doesn't affect me, right? If something is dangerous wouldn't our governments protect us - at least tell us about these toxins? Aren't things tested to prove they're safe? I thought so until I packed off a shopping bag full of Thomas trains that were covered in lead paint. These were bought over 10 years ago and well played with. Should I keep them in my home now even if my kids seem fine and must not be affected? Was removing them a "pathetic" over-reaction?
I'll repeat that the canadian government have recently completed a 2-year testing of BPA - they did not do so in the interests of the plastics industry or the environmental groups.
From the Health Canada website:
"The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the Government is taking action to protect the health of Canadians and the environment from another chemical of concern.
Canada is the first country in the world to complete a risk assessment of bisphenol A in consultation with industry and other stakeholders, and to initiate a 60 day public comment period on whether to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles which contain bisphenol A"
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_59_e.html

BPA is toxic. Ignore our advice if you want. But please do not call our concerns pathetic and we will not call your lack of reaction and concern ignorant.
As parents we all make mistakes - none of us are perfect. But when we know better we should do better - we should err on the side of caution - what's the harm in that? Especially since it means such a small change can make such a big impact.
We may not know the harm this may have caused until our children or our grandchildren begin having health issues. Is it really worth ignoring this because it's not affecting you today?

 

[celticlad]

I only have a minute, so I'll be quick....

Red meat, eggs, chocolate, wine, sugar and butter are all natural things that are not genetically modified (well, if you buy the right brands, anyways) and all the items, or ingredients, and are only harmful to you when not eaten in moderation.

I try to eat/use things that are all natural and free from processing...all I can do is try, it's better than just sitting back and throwing my hands up in the air and digging into a Big Mac everyday b/c "I just can't win, and I'm gonna die anyways".

I enjoy a meal out too, sometimes, but now that I am knowledgable about what I am eating...I choose different restaurants, don't go out quite as much, and only eat small portions of what I'm given, simply b/c I know how many calories are in chain restaurant food.

I also gave my son formula b/c I had a hard time breastfeeding. I did it b/c I was told that it was perfectly healthy and there was nothing harmful about it. Nobody told me that the cans were lined with this stuff! Noone told me the bottles I was using (and warming in the microwave) were toxic! Now that I have been informed, then yes, it would be lazy for me to just give it to my next kid anyways. At the very least, if I couldn't breastfeed, I should go out and find bottles/formula that do NOT contain the substance.

I don't have to worry about what I encounter when I go on vacation b/c I live so healthy year round, that encountering crap a few days a year, doesn't bother me.

I live my life just fine, and I don't always think of what could kill me, I just think of what is better for me and my family, and shop accordingly. As a matter of fact, I feel great b/c of eating so healthy.... I'm losing weight, my cholesterol and triglycerides are going down and my good cholesterol is going up, and I save money b/c we don't buy tons of junk at the store and don't go out to eat as much. I have way more energy to go out and live my life.... speaking of which... I need to go, we're off to the park!

american farmers pump their cows full of steroids.eggs are hoaching with bacteria etc...

everything contains chemicals, you are a big bag of 'em.

explain to me the phrase "man made" - impossible we don't create at the atomic level, every chemical we use can be found in nature.

every single one.

 

[celticlad]

Anything that can be done to eliminate toxins should be applauded! I have non toxic carpets, floors, and paint. I do not want a child crawling around on a carpet and ingesting chemicals.

what? even O2??

 

[chipscinderelly]

american farmers pump their cows full of steroids.eggs are hoaching with bacteria etc...

everything contains chemicals, you are a big bag of 'em.

explain to me the phrase "man made" - impossible we don't create at the atomic level, every chemical we use can be found in nature.

every single one.

Some of us buy organic

Seriously for those families that are not worried about this it's ok to not post here in the thread. We won't fault you for making your own choice. That's all we are asking - to make our own choices!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I have a certain family member who drives while drinking (or under the influence) quite frequently, but has never got into an accident. I am always nagging this person about how incredibly dangerous this is, but hey, now that I know studies might be skewed, and b/c nothing has happened YET.... maybe there's no danger in it after all!! Whew, thanks for making me feel better!!

Not a very good analogy. You can't compare my children with drunk drivers just because they drank from plastic baby bottles!!! And, I just was expessing an opinion, not trying to make YOU feel better or worse. I am 53 years old, and I have heard it all in my lifetime, and skepticism is the first reaction when I hear anything like this. Yes, my children are all normal, and I heated their formulas (yes, the dreaded formulas) in plastic bottles (oldest is 32, then there is the 27 yr old, then 8, 7, and 4 yrs old) - no adverse side effects from baby bottles!! back to you...

 

[Colleen27]

In case it hasn't been mentioned, breastfeeding is also an option to reduce our infants exposure to BPA. I would hope this is also considered as an alternative rather than just non-BPA bottles. I encourage everyone to look into that option when considering infant feeding. Breastfeeding has many, many pluses.

I don't think that's likely to get much mention simply because even breastfeeding mommas usually have some need for bottles, whether because they work or to give dad/older siblings/other family a chance to help with feeding or just so Mom can get a break now and then. I breastfed both my kids and will breastfeed this one too, but I'm still buying BPA-free bottles (and a BPA-free breast pump) because I know that there will be times when the baby will have expressed milk for one reason or another.

 

[Colleen27]

Not a very good analogy. You can't compare my children with drunk drivers just because they drank from plastic baby bottles!!! And, I just was expessing an opinion, not trying to make YOU feel better or worse. I am 53 years old, and I have heard it all in my lifetime, and skepticism is the first reaction when I hear anything like this. Yes, my children are all normal, and I heated their formulas (yes, the dreaded formulas) in plastic bottles (oldest is 32, then there is the 27 yr old, then 8, 7, and 4 yrs old) - no adverse side effects from baby bottles!! back to you...

And that's great that you haven't personally experienced any negative effects, but that doesn't negate the increased risks. There are plenty of smokers who will never experience emphysema or lung cancer, plenty of alcoholics who will never develop liver problems, plenty of kids who grew up in homes with lead paint who didn't suffer neurological effects, plenty of people who have unprotected sex and never catch a disease. That doesn't make those things safe. It just makes those people lucky.

With the exploding rates of severe allergies, autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, childhood onset mental illness, etc. that we're seeing in the younger generations, I personally can't see dismissing research on environmental toxins as unworthy of action, especially when the action is something as simple as buying a different brand of baby bottle.

 

[mamaLori05]

I am with you!!! We also drank out of the waterhose outside !!!

HAHA! We still do!

 

[Princess_Michelle]

......

 

[Schmeck]

Mickeywho?, thank you for posting a link with your info!

To the poster who asked, yes, I have a college degree in biology, minor+ in chemistry (one credit short of a bachelor's degree) and a minor in mathematics and physics as well.

My last input - don't buy the bottles if it bothers you. But just realize that you are surrounded by 'bad stuff', and this one relevation really doesn't make too big of a dent in the scheme of things.

 

[sorul82?]

Of course since reading about all this, I have been going around looking at the bottom of everything plastic. I thought I read that #1's did contain BPA? What about items that don't have a # or the number is without the triangle? Does this pertain to just hard clear plastics or soft bottles like Deer Park or Dasani as well?

 

[mickeywho?]

Of course since reading about all this, I have been going around looking at the bottom of everything plastic. I thought I read that #1's did contain BPA? What about items that don't have a # or the number is without the triangle? Does this pertain to just hard clear plastics or soft bottles like Deer Park or Dasani as well?

Here's a list I found that may help

http://www.checnet.org/healtheHouse/pdf/plasticchart.pdf

Most pop and disposable water bottles are #1. My Tropicana Orange Juice jugs (white plastic) are #7 so I'll switch back to cartons. My ketchup bottle was #1 but the relish bottle was #7. So within the same manufacturer they don't even stay consistant! I'm thinking maybe the manufacturers need to list what the packaging is made of along with their ingredients charts. Uh! So much to look for when grocery shopping now...

 

[PebblesMom]

Thanks mickeywho? I went through all of my bottles today! I did find a lot that had nothing on them (mostly baby bottles). That link answered a lot of my questions! I just bought new ones a few days ago and they have the triangle, but no number inside and they were not on the list, so not sure about those! It is times like this that I wish I was able to breastfeed!

 

[mickeywho?]

You're welcome! It's wasn't a complete list but had quite a few common items. If you are not sure about a product in your home try contacting the manufacturer (many have 1-800 customer service #s) and hopefully you'll find some answers.
I'm completely frustrated by the amount of snack cups (like the dole jello cups) that have the #7 on the bottoms - those foods are meant for children and should be considered banned as well as the baby bottles. I having a tough time finding similar foods for my kids school lunches that don't have BPA.

 

[Grendalynn]

....My last input - don't buy the bottles if it bothers you. But just realize that you are surrounded by 'bad stuff', and this one relevation really doesn't make too big of a dent in the scheme of things.

I agree! No matter what we do and how hard we try there is "bad stuff" everywhere! Unfortunatly, ts a fact of life these days. Did anyone catch the segment on toxins and all of this on Dateline or whatever the nightly nws show was last week? they interviewed 3 families - Organic/naturalists, regular every day folks who were aware of all this bad stuff, and a familywho could "careless".... they ALL had toxin in heir blood. All different types but they all had it. It just goes to show that no matter how hard we try and how aare of all the we are -its life. Unless we live in the middle of the dessert, totally self contained, self sufficient we are subjected in on way, shape or another.

Of course since reading about all this, I have been going around looking at the bottom of everything plastic. I thought I read that #1's did contain BPA? What about items that don't have a # or the number is without the triangle? Does this pertain to just hard clear plastics or soft bottles like Deer Park or Dasani as well?

Me too!! I even posted my own thread regarding BPA levels having not seen this one... Thanks Mickeywho? Here is what I posted:


I have read a lot and heard a lot in the news about the BPA numbers on plastic bottles and cups. I am not quite sure what to think of it all. It can't be good if its all over the news and the Canadian Governmnet is taking stronger actions.

With that being said, I started looking at all our plastics in our cupboards yesterday and was sad to see that some of our Disney cup had bad numbers... From our most recent trip to WDW in April our refillable YOMD mugs have a PP 5 on them, and the Peter Pan/Pirate Punch cups, a mickey sippy with sparkley water are a BPAs of 7.... and a playtex Little Einsteins insulated sippy has a 5...

Most all of our baby bottles and sippy cups should be thrown out as well, as well as all my Nalgene bottles. I am not one to recycle water bottles or things like that, maybe once in the freezer from Spring Sports then pitch it. And i rarely, ok never, put anything plastic in the microwave - glass or ceramic only. Is anyone esle taking procaution and pictching all of this??? I try not to jump to conclusions, but this seems serious??? Anyone have any insight on all of this?


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806362

I have read allof the posts on the thread and have gained a lot of useful info. It just makes me wondrer why these big companies are still making items with these toxns and what the companys are going to do for consumers who have faithfully bought ther goods.... Its a never ending story with no good answers I am afraid. But I am def. very aware of the whole Triangle delima now!

 

[lilybrooke14]

Okay, I haven't read the whole thread, but I did read the first few pages. Sorry if any of the information I've got is a repeat though.

I do know for certain that Babies R Us, and all of the major bottle companies are phasing out all bottles containing BPA, and it should be completed by the end of 2008. It's voluntary, not mandatory. BBRU carries Born Free, Adiri, all drop in bottles, the new Dr. Browns (you can tell because they are cloudy, as opposed to the old clear ones), and all glass bottles, none of which have BPA. Colored bottles are also supposed to be free of the chemical (because it's the chemical that's supposed to make the plastic clear.)

Keep an eye out though, because there are some bottle warmers, bottle brushes, and various other baby accessories that contain BPA as well. If you're shopping at BBRU, they have lists of all of the infant care products that CONTAIN the chemical, and all of the bottles that DON'T CONTAIN the chemical. I cannot speak for formula, but I do know about the bottles etc.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[princessmom29]

So glad I breastfed all of mine! How in the world can some factory make anything as good for babies as what God made my body to make? Plus, it was free and I never once with four kids had to go to the kitchen in the middle of the night and fix them a bottle while they screamed. Mommy is always ready!
I know some moms really cannot breastfeed, and it is not easy (you have to work at it a little and it is harder to leave the baby and get away) but I am always amazed at how many moms don't want to breastfeed. I always looked forward to it, it was a natural part of my mothering instincts!
My dh and I and all of our siblings were bottle fed. When formula was new doctors told moms "Don't bother breastfeeding, just go buy that stuff they make in factories now. You're FREE!" YUK!!
Besides, breast milk is sweet and formula tastes like chalk. Try it.....

It is statments like this that make mothers like me who are medically unable to breastfeed (I don't produce breastmilk) feel like we are letting our children down somehow and are horrible parents!!!!!

Some of us buy organic

Seriously for those families that are not worried about this it's ok to not post here in the thread. We won't fault you for making your own choice. That's all we are asking - to make our own choices!

I hate to tell you this but totally "organic" food is impossible. Everything you consume has come into contact in some way with something you object to. Farmers cannot certify that the water that they give their animals is totally free of pesticide or drug residues unless they are buying it bottled. They cannot cretify that some smog did not drift into the air that those cows breathed. As a chemist I can tell you that the residue levels in organic vs not organic food is negligable. AWith the exception of surface residues that can be removed by washing all of the studies I have seen say that there is little difference with the exception of a few antibiotics that are being phased out anyway. Organic food is just the latest "let's make a bigger profit" scheme from the food industry and the pubilc is buying in hook line and sinker. We gladly shell out twice as much for tomatoes of beef b/c it makes us feel better about ourselves We can say "look what I am doing for my family" and look down on everyone who doesn't by organic simply because they can't afford to. I for one will no longer by into this for of elitism. I did the research.

 

[Karlzmom]

I just read the following article and just HAD to post this so all the families could see it:

Baby Formula Bottles Often Toxic

The article basically says that if you fed your baby formula, you just basically gave them toxic food! This is the paragraph that really got my attention:



Then followed by:


And finally... this is what they say happens if your child ingests BPA:


Unfortunately, the article does not go any further to state what these companies plan to do to prevent future use of BPA lined products. I don't even know what else to say about this issue... but I just felt the need to get the word out, because this is pretty bad news for those who cannot breast feed their babies and rely on formula to feed them.

..makes me all the more grateful for our 16month exclusive nursing diet! BTW, this is slightly on-topic with Disney, the nursing rooms in the child care centers rock!!