Study shows popular baby bottles may be dangerous

[Xax]

NSMum, thanks for the link. It was an interesting read, but I noticed that the article was published in 1999; 8 years ago. The current warnings (from the U.S.'s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) are based on recent study.

[Jonavin]

Found this while doing some reading.

http://www.quackwatch.org/04Consumer...abybottle.html

This article is dated in 1999. Doesn't the other articles point to new studies that show these bottles are dangerous? In any case, I do feel like there's too much fear mongering going on lately.

[NSMum]

NSMum, thanks for the link. It was an interesting read, but I noticed that the article was published in 1999; 8 years ago. The current warnings (from the U.S.'s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) are based on recent study.

Yes, the article I posted was from 1999, but dates aside, I think the underlying message that these studies (regardless of when they were conducted) may not be as truthful as the media leads us to believe. There's a big difference between finding a problem in a test group of 14 mice rather than a group of 600 as the quackwatch.com article pointed out.

Coincidentally, the first study cited involving 14 mice was also conducted at the University of Missouri, the same place as the current study(different researchers but I suspect probably using the same methods as the previous studies) The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)

Also, the CNN article says the bottles were tested at a lab,but doesn't mention how? Were they subjected to the normal wear and tear of everyday use or lab conditions that these bottles would never be subjected to in the real world? Just too many unknowns . I'd be more likely to believe a report where the bottles were tested under normal circumstances rather than extreme lab conditions that the bottles would never be used for.

I'm not saying that parents shouldn't be concerned(I am trying to cut down an the amount of plastics in our house, but will be keeping the Avent bottles--using common sense and checking them after every use and throwing them out when they begin to show signs of aging). I do think that we have to question these studies and look at the data more closely than just the info that CNN gets from a news release and can fit into a column on a website. JMHO though

[llbgal]

Yes, the article I posted was from 1999, but dates aside, I think the underlying message that these studies (regardless of when they were conducted) may not be as truthful as the media leads us to believe. There's a big difference between finding a problem in a test group of 14 mice rather than a group of 600 as the quackwatch.com article pointed out.

Coincidentally, the first study cited involving 14 mice was also conducted at the University of Missouri, the same place as the current study(different researchers but I suspect probably using the same methods as the previous studies) The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)

Also, the CNN article says the bottles were tested at a lab,but doesn't mention how? Were they subjected to the normal wear and tear of everyday use or lab conditions that these bottles would never be subjected to in the real world? Just too many unknowns . I'd be more likely to believe a report where the bottles were tested under normal circumstances rather than extreme lab conditions that the bottles would never be used for.

I'm not saying that parents shouldn't be concerned(I am trying to cut down an the amount of plastics in our house, but will be keeping the Avent bottles--using common sense and checking them after every use and throwing them out when they begin to show signs of aging). I do think that we have to question these studies and look at the data more closely than just the info that CNN gets from a news release and can fit into a column on a website. JMHO though

However, there are also recent studies showing a link between prostate cancer and BPA.

I agree that the media can skew things and that there likely is some fear mongering -- however, imo, I would rather at least know about these studies and then choose accordingly. One can choose to disregard, to cut down or whatever suits you. Just because these plastics are allowed by our government (and in the US) does not, personally, make me feel any safer. The way I look at is that most plastics have not necessarily been around long enough -- and obviously we have not done studies on babies to see what would happen if....

It is hard with so many things made of plastic to completely eliminate all. We are choosing glass where possible and otherwise one of the "safer" plastics if there is not a good glass alternative.

[Xax]

The CNN article doesn't mention any of that. Of course, they prob. don't have the space to run all the figures, but it would be nice to see some stats to back up the claims. Did this new study use a large sampling of mice or did the researchers test 14 like the other UOf M study and call it a day?)

That's a good question. I'm still waiting to hear about the follow-up conference set for earlier this month. I would love for this to turn out to be unfounded, for convenience sake.

[ayeung]

http://www.healthobservatory.org/lib...fm?refid=77083

I think I'll get rid of the Avent bottles and use Medela's.

[llbgal]

I recently discovered klean kanteens (stainless steel water bottle holders and sippy cups)... I am thinking of placing an order to get some.... they are in the U.S. so I was thinking if anyone is interested we could do a co-op type thing (so we all get a better price).

pm if interested...

[gorf]

Was looking for some baby gifts online and found a company that sells glass bottles and Bisphenol-A Free Plastic bottles but are quite expensive me thinks.

http://www.cheekymonkey.ca/Feeding.htm

[llbgal]

You can get evenflo glass bottles from the U.S. way cheaper. Also, Medela plastic bottles are apparently BPA free.

[look30]

We use only glass bottles ever since I heard about this problem on TV.
I don't usually believe everything I hear/read but in this case is just not worth taking the risk.
Plastics are new to us and considering the boom in cancer cases at almost any age there is a correlation in my mind between cancer and plastics , the are no coincidences IMHO, and just to be on the safe side we use the glass bottle.
To people thinking that glass bottle will shatter... they are built like a tank, our baby dropped them from various heights and they're still like new after almost one year of continuous service

It's up to you to switch and keep in mind that pretending there is no problem will not make it go away.

P.S. I kept all the plastic bottles for the class action I see in the near future agains Avent , Gerber and Co.

[Munchos]

I keep our boy in a bubble all day to help keep him safe from all that could possibly harm or have devestating side effects

I have no problem using plastic bottles, and when he drops his soother on the ground I -GASP- don't rinse it either. This sounds like a little extremism not to use plastic bottles.

I wonder how home plastic pipes and pvc piping affects the water content? Or milk being stored in plastic containers and bags? Seems kinda odd when you pour milk from plastic containers into glass bottles because you are afraid of plastic leaching into the bottle contents.

[Jonavin]

I saw glass bottles being sold at Toysrus for the first time this week. If anybody is looking to use glass baby bottles, try there. I saw them at Markville Toysrus (in case not all of them carry this). The label says it's only good for 0 to 3 months for some reason. There was two sizes, and it's was about $5 each.

We didn't bother to buy them because we already have Medela plastic bottles and our baby will be exclusively breast-fed the first 6 months.

[gorf]

I was talking to someone today who just saw their pediatrian and phoned Gerber and Gerber states that the following plastic bottles are Bisphenol-A Free.
: Gerber Clear View
: Gerber Fashion Tint
: Gerber Gentle Flow

The pediatrian said regardless, "all" plastic baby bottles should only be used for a maximum of 3 months and tossed and glass bottles should be tossed after 6 months usage.

I think the best bet is for everyone to talk to your pediatrician about your concerns and then make the best decision for yourself and your baby.

[llbgal]

I keep our boy in a bubble all day to help keep him safe from all that could possibly harm or have devestating side effects

I have no problem using plastic bottles, and when he drops his soother on the ground I -GASP- don't rinse it either. This sounds like a little extremism not to use plastic bottles.

I wonder how home plastic pipes and pvc piping affects the water content? Or milk being stored in plastic containers and bags? Seems kinda odd when you pour milk from plastic containers into glass bottles because you are afraid of plastic leaching into the bottle contents.

I just noticed this post now... I think the thing you have to understand is that not ALL plastics are equal! While, as a parent, it is certainly your prerogative to do what YOU feel is best for YOUR child -- likewise, it is MY prerogative to do what I feel is best for mine. And, so you are aware, the plastic used for bagged milk is usually #2 or #4 (I can't recall off the top of my head which) -- neither have been shown to have BPA. Furthermore, many people may not be using baby bottles for cow's milk, but, rather for pumped breastmilk or formula.