Polycarbonate plastic is the material used for many baby bottles since it is hard, shatter resistant and clear in color. Although this sounds like the perfect material for baby bottles, polycarbonate contains bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical known to be hormone-disruptive.  In 2007, the world's leading scientific experts on bisphenol A published a consensus statement warning that low-level exposure to BPA may cause serious reproductive problems and other negative health effects. They said that babies and fetuses are the most vulnerable.

Around 700 studies were reviewed by the scientists, and they concluded that people are exposed to levels of the chemical exceeding those that harm lab animals. Although no studies have been done to show human health effects from BPA, studies of animals exposed to low doses showed female reproductive tract disorders, early-stage prostate and breast cancer, and decreased sperm counts.

In April 2008, the National Toxicology Program reported that there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to BPA and some concern that BPA exposure to fetuses and babies could impact the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females. They indicated that more research is needed.

You can learn more about the possible health effects of BPA at Our Stolen Future:

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm

If you use polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, it's likely that you are feeding your baby BPA along with your breastmilk or formula. BPA leaches out of the plastic into whatever food or liquid is in the bottle. Microwaving the bottle is likely increasing the amount of BPA that leaches into your baby's food.

In addition to baby bottles, the inside of aluminum and tin food cans (including infant formula cans) is coated with a resin made with BPA. This also leaches out of the coating and into the food. Some babies' daily exposure from canned infant formula exceeds the toxic doses in animal studies. BPA is also found in the hard plastic used in large water-cooler containers, sports bottles, microwave-oven dishes, and some dental sealants for children.

Fortunately there are safe alterna­tives to polycarbonate baby bottles, including bottles made of glass, polyethylene or polypropylene. Baby bottles are not normally labeled, but you can call the company's toll-free number listed on the package to find out what type of plastic is used and if it is BPA-free .

If you are pregnant or nursing, limit the canned food that you eat and avoid polycarbonate plastic water bottles. Hard, translucent plastic marked #7 is probably polycarbonate. Never microwave food in plastic containers. Use glass or ceramic instead. Warm baby milk bottles in a pan of hot water and never in the microwave.

Breastmilk is the healthiest food for your baby, and it contains essential fatty acids and other substances that help protect your baby from toxins. In fact, breastmilk is essential to your baby's health and well-being. Commercial formula cannot come close to providing all the immune-building compounds and nutrition of breastmilk.  However, if you absolutely must use baby formula, the Environmental Working Group is recommending that you use powdered formula, which is more diluted with water, or buy liquid formula in plastic containers.

Better yet, you can make your own formula. You will find healthy formula recipes at the Weston Price Foundation website:

http://www.westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html

The following is excerpted from EWG's Guide to Infant Formula and Baby Bottles: Guide to Baby-Safe Bottles & Formula http://www.ewg.org/babysafe 

Formula-feeding

Powdered formulas are the best choice for parents who want to avoid bisphenol A in their baby's diet. While powdered formula has not been tested for BPA, it is diluted with much more water than liquid formulas which reduces the amount of BPA that the baby consumes in each feeding. Nestlé has made unsubstantiated claims that they don't use any BPA to line their powdered formula cans. Nestlé, Enfamil and Similac use a mixed metal and cardboard package with less BPA-coating. Second best are Earth's Best Organic and PBM's store-brand powdered formulas that use a fully metal can.

Some liquid formulas are sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene which do not contain any BPA. Avoid any plastic containers that are rigid and transparent, marked with "PC". All liquid formulas sold in metal cans are lined with BPA-epoxy, which has been shown to leach into the product. If you buy formula in metal cans choose the concentrated type which is diluted with water prior to feeding. Avoid ready-to-eat formula in metal cans, which has the highest BPA leaching potential. 

Bottle Nipples

Choose bottle nipples made from silicon. They are the most durable and inert options. Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer (Freishtat 2002; Westin 1990). The same goes for pacifiers. Throw away any nipple or pacifier that is discolored, thinning, tacky or ripped.

Bottles

There has been a lot of attention recently about BPA leaching from baby bottles and sippy cups. It appears, however, that babies fed liquid formula could have much more intense exposure to BPA from the formula itself. Even so, parents should still choose bottles that don't leach any BPA. Glass bottles are an excellent choice. More manufacturers are also making bottles and sippy cups out of safe plastics which are polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide. Avoid all polycarbonate which are transparent (either clear or tinted) and rigid or inflexible plastic. These bottles may be marked with the letters "PC." Polycarbonate plastics are sometimes marked with the recycling #7, which is a miscellaneous category, so not all #7 plastics are harmful.

Your pediatrician may recommend plastic bottle liners if your baby is colicky. If not, avoid using them - the manufacture and disposal of plastic liners raise environmental concerns. And never overheat formula in a plastic liner. The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated.

What type of water?

If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula (ADA 2006). If your water is not fluoridated, use a carbon filter, either a pitcher-style or one that attaches to your tap. If you choose bottled water make sure it's fluoride-free. Be aware that the cost of bottled water may add up to more money than a home reverse osmosis system.

Expressing breast milk

Medela breast pump tubes, shields, and jars are BPA and phthalate free. This is important as pump parts withstand repeated washings in hot water.

Cleaning and sterilizing

Bottles, nipples, pacifiers, breast shields, pump tubing and containers should be sterilized before first use. After that, washing with hot soapy water or the top shelf of the dishwasher should be sufficient. Avoid sterilizing in the microwave or frequent use of boiling water since both will speed the breakdown of the plastic.

Warming a bottle

Warm bottles of formula or breast milk in a bowl of hot water. Do not microwave them or place them in boiling water. In addition to creating a hazard for baby, these extreme heats weather the plastics.

For additional information on Avoiding BPA Exposure:

Bisphenol A: Toxic Plastics Chemical in Canned Food: Consumer tips to avoid BPA exposure

http://www.ewg.org/node/20944

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