Like all parents, you want the best for your child. And when your baby suffers from stomach pain and squirms after every feeding: the first thing to do is, of course, to get an anti-colic bottle.
But did you know that not all bottles are created equal? If you have read our other articles, you know that baby bottles on the market come with:
- various features,
- different shapes,
- and different textures.
Anti-Colic Bottles: Which Materials Are Dangerous for Your Baby?
Although new laws have been created over the past two decades to protect public health, it’s always worth remembering that some baby bottles manufactured BEFORE these laws were enacted are still unfortunately available to parents.
The second-hand market is the main reason why.
→ What are the dangerous materials actually contained in both anti-colic and regular bottles?
→ What are the risks if your baby ingests them?
→ And how can you protect yourself as early as possible?
As always, Élhée breaks it down for you and helps implement the healthiest solutions for your baby!
Bisphenol A: A Toxic Component for Health
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a toxic component and has been banned in the manufacture of baby bottles in France since 2010, following numerous studies demonstrating the consequences of repeated ingestion. Yet it is still found:
- inside soda or beer cans,
- in metal cans
- and in plastic bottles…
A particularity of Bisphenol A is that it migrates more easily into food when exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C). So, when you give your baby a bottle of formula or thawed breast milk you obviously take care to warm it up for optimal feeding. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure the bottle you use is entirely BPA-free.
Phthalates: Invisible and Increasingly Rare in Infant Nutrition
Phthalates are chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics such as cellophane or food wrap. They are notorious endocrine disruptors, which also negatively impact fertility in both men and women. They can also affect the cardiovascular system.
Fortunately, phthalates and their presence in food are strictly regulated and are subject to strict standards that must be met by manufacturers of food-related products. So today it is very rare to find phthalates in your food, as they are of course invisible to the naked eye.
However, some foods can still be contaminated with phthalates. Tap water, even though treated at water plants, can carry pollutants and heavy metals. That’s why it’s important to filter water before giving it to your child!
The reason for this contamination? Cast-iron pipes, often old, that bring water to your tap.
To improve your water quality and give it to your child with peace of mind, consider protecting against this by using:
- a screw-on filter directly on your faucet
- or a stainless steel filtration fountain.
Be careful with plastic water filter pitchers, which may contain BPA!
Polypropylene: A Harmless Anti-Colic Bottle Component?
A study conducted at Dublin University in 2020 found that for every bottle of prepared milk and under the effect of heat, up to 10 million microplastic particles were released per quart (liter) of milk!
These numbers are concerning, considering how fragile babies’ immune systems are. Your baby doesn’t need to be premature for this to apply!
The study nevertheless clarifies that based on current scientific knowledge, it is not possible to say whether or not there is any risk to children's health. And it is possible that all this plastic content may be completely excreted by the babies.
To limit the spread of polypropylene in your baby's formula, it is recommended to stop sterilizing bottles, as the sterilization process increases the release of microplastics.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Your Anti-Colic Bottle
To avoid jeopardizing your baby's health, and although fewer harmful-substance bottles are circulating on the market, you should be aware of all the recommended precautions:
Beware of Second-Hand Anti-Colic Bottles!
The law banning the manufacture of bottles containing BPA was only enacted in 2010, so you should avoid turning to the second-hand market and risk acquiring a bottle made before that year.
Similarly, it is not recommended to nostalgically reuse old baby bottles you yourself used as an infant, even if this would please your baby's grandparents…
Be Careful With Plastic Baby Bottles
In general, and as shown in the study summarized above, plastic bottles are most likely to release microplastic particles into your baby's meals.
So what should you do?
When you know that most anti-colic bottles on the market are made of plastic, and that glass bottles can be too heavy for your little one to hold, and that they may break more easily?
Anti-Colic Bottle: The Medical-Grade Silicone Bottle Solution!
If you're a regular visitor to the Élhée website, you already know the solution!
Using a medical-grade silicone bottle not only helps develop your baby's senses but also protects you from most types of microplastic particles.
Unlike glass bottles, Élhée's innovative bibRonds:
- are unbreakable and safer for your child
- are easy to grip for your baby during feedings
- are ultra-lightweight
They are also odorless, which could otherwise upset your baby and interfere with your weaning attempt, for example.
At Elhée, we encourage the use of medical-grade silicone bottles because of their many advantages. But if you have trouble getting used to its silky texture or ultra-trendy design, that's up to you!
In that case, you can opt for other bottle materials, like glass bottles, which have the merit of not generating microplastic particles, provided they have a nipple made of medical-grade silicone or natural rubber.
If you still think a plastic bottle is best for your child after reading this article, at least make sure when buying that the packaging clearly states "BPA-free," "phthalate-free".
Key Takeaways
If you’re looking for an anti-colic bottle, make sure its composition is healthy for your baby. Many chemical components such as BPA or phthalates are responsible each year for health problems in the worldwide population. A medical-grade silicone bottle has the advantage of not releasing microplastic particles into your baby's food.
