May 2008

Bummed about baby bottles?

Don't be! The hazards of plastic bottles containing bisphenol-A (BPA) are real, but so are the alternatives. BPA-free bottles are becoming more popular every day: here's how you can find them!

Choose baby bottles, water bottles, and sippy cups that are made of cloudy plastic. Many are available, like Nalgene's milky white water bottles, Evenflo's pastel baby bottles, and the Playtex Sipster. If a bottle isn't obviously cloudy, check the bottom and choose it only if it has one of these recycling codes: #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, or #5 PP. Avoid bottles made of clear, hard plastic unless they are labeled BPA-free, like baby bottles from Medela and BornFree.

Or, you can choose sippy cups and water bottles made of stainless steel. Read the packaging and choose stainless steel bottles that aren't lined on the inside. (We're concerned about the linings because companies haven't fully disclosed what's in them.) Klean Kanteen's stainless steel bottles are unlined and come in various sizes, including a sippy cup (sign up to win one here). You can find Klean Kanteen bottles at REI and Patagonia stores, as well as online. Aluminum bottles are becoming popular too, but stick with unlined stainless steel: aluminum bottles typically have linings.

Traditional glass baby bottles are non-toxic. If you're worried about glass bottles breaking, try a protective sheath like Siliskin.

Sign up to receive these monthly tips via email.