November 27, 2007

Safer Sippers

There's enough to worry about without having to consider the safety of your baby's bottle. But recent research pointing to the potential dangers of plastic nursers (bisphenol A, a chemical found in the polycarbonate plastic used in most clear baby bottles and a known developmental, neural and reproductive toxicant, can leach into bottle contents) is turning bottle buying into more than just a casual purchase.

Fortunately, a slew of safer options are now available to ease the conscience of panicked parents. The Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Baby Bottle, for example, is bisphenol A- and polycarbonate-free (plus, its unique breast-like shape makes it a convincing substitute for a mother's own sip sacks). BornFree Bottles are also bisphenol A-free and are specially constructed with an innovative valve and air vent to reduce colic, gas and spit up. (The company also makes BPA-free Training and Drinking cups for wee ones graduating to more grown up goblets.) And Green to Grow bottles are BPA-, phthalate-, lead- and PVC-free. They come in two sizes (5 and 10 ounces) and regular and wide neck openings to suit a range of baby sipping preferences.

Retro glass bottles, from companies like BornFree and EvenFlo (made sans plastic and so totally toxin-free) are also making a comeback. Bonus: Glass bottles are 100-percent recyclable.

These bottles do cost more than your garden-variety nurser, but it seems like a price worth paying.

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