New Mum’s Guide to Keeping Baby Safe

First, a little review: What is BPA?

BPA is a chemical used in the production of certain kinds of plastics, including polycarbonate plastic (like hard, colored water bottles and 5-gallon drinking water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans. BPA can leach from the plastic and into foods and beverages, especially when it’s heated or used for long periods of time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested, which is especially troubling since the chemical is linked to breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb. It’s a good idea to avoid exposure to BPA whenever possible.

On September 3, 2008, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) raised concerns that exposure to BPA, a synthetic estrogen and plastics chemical, during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate and affect brain development and behavior in American children. On Oct. 17, the Canadian government classified BPA as “toxic” and moved toward restricting the substance in baby bottles and formula. These actions mark a historic shift from previous regulatory stances on BPA’s safety, both in the U.S. and abroad, and reflect a growing body of science demonstrating BPA’s potential toxicity at current levels of exposure. In particular, the NTP decision reversed the findings of a previous NTP advisory panel, whose review process was driven by a private contractor with links to BPA producers.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) believes that the regulatory process is upside-down. EWG is working to prevent more children from coming into the world pre-polluted.

That’s why they support passage of comprehensive new federal legislation, the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act. This bill would put the burden of proof where it belongs. The Kid-Safe Act will force manufacturers to prove that chemicals are safe BEFORE they’re allowed on the market.

If you agree, let your elected representatives know, and sign the Kid-Safe declaration at: http://kidsafechemicals.com

What are phthalates?

Phthalates, called “plasticizers,” are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible or resilient and also as solvents. Phthalates are nearly ubiquitous in modern society, found in, among other things, toys, food packaging, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, nail polish, hair spray and shampoo.

Phthalates have been found to disrupt the endocrine system. Several phthalate compounds have caused reduced sperm counts, testicular atrophy and structural abnormalities in the reproductive systems of male test animals, and some studies also link phthalates to liver cancer, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s 2005 National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Though the CDC contends the health hazards of phthalates to humans have not been definitively established, for some years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has regulated phthalates as water and air pollutants.

In July 2008, as a result of pressure from Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other health groups, the U.S. Congress passed legislation banning six phthalates from children’s toys and cosmetics. Legislators in Washington, Vermont and California have restricted phthalate use in children’s goods, and several major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Toys-R-Us, Lego, Evenflo and Gerber say they will phase out phthalate-laden toys.

And PVC plastic or vinyl?

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic or vinyl is considered to be one of the worst environmental and health offenders in the world. What makes this plastic so dangerous is the very toxic chemical it releases and creates called dioxin.

PVC’s emit VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) that are actually off-gassing from the plastics inside plastics item like a car dashboard (think “new car” smell), or a shower curtain. Extensive exposure to these VOC’s can cause nausea, sore throats and headaches.

It is strongly believed that many of the symptoms of “Sick Building Syndrome” like fatigue, depression and headaches, can be linked to high levels of VOC’s in a building.

Most VOC’s can be found in paint, carpets, cleaning supplies, adhesives and various sorts of plastics. PVC becomes most dangerous to us when phthalates are added to it to make it softer. Alarmingly enough, children’s toys use this softer version of PVC.

It is widely known that phthalates can cause harm to the reproductive system of both males and females.

PVCs are not only present in some of the products that we buy but it is in the environment surrounding some communities. Sadly, some communities in proximity to factories that make products containing PVC have been affected by PVC that has made its way into groundwater and into the surrounding atmosphere causing air pollution.

When products containing PVCs are discarded they create additional dangers to our environment because PVCs are not recyclable and therefore end up in our landfills. Other PVC based products that are not discarded in landfills are incinerated and this causes additional danger because PVC’s release toxic dioxin when incinerated. Hospitals burn their waste to prevent disease contamination. Among this waste are often medical tubing and other devices that are made of PVC.

The good news is that many major corporations are now phasing out the use of PVCs. Stores like IDEA, The Body Shop and even Wal-Mart are taking steps to phase out the selling of products containing PVCs.

While there are some institutes and organizations that will still argue that PVC is relatively safe. There are significant segments of the research community who argue otherwise. In 2007, the Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee of the US Green Building Council released a report that concluded:

“No single material shows up as the best across all the human health and environmental impact categories, nor as the worst but the risk of dioxin emissions puts PVC consistently among the worst materials for human health impacts.”

Nipple: Start with a clear silicone nipple

Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer.

Bottle: Use glass

Plastic bottles can leach a toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) into formula and breast milk. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles marked with a 7 or “PC.”

Plastic bottle liners: Don’t use them

The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula and breast milk, especially when heated.

Water: Use filtered tap water

If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula. If your water is not fluoridated use a carbon filter. If you choose bottled water make sure it’s fluoride-free.

Formula: Choose powdered.

A toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) can leach into liquid formula sold in metal cans. Canadian tests show no BPA leaching into powdered formula. The same brands are sold in the U.S., making powdered formula a low-risk for BPA contamination.
If you’re concerned about BPA click here to tell infant formula manufacturers to remove it from their product packaging.

Formula Buying Guide

Choose powdered formula when possible, or liquid formula in glass or plastic containers.

Avoid all liquid formula in metal cans.

Heating: Warm bottles in a pan of hot water

Microwaving can heat unevenly and cause chemicals to leach from plastic bottles into formula.

More details for bottle-feeding parents

Breastfeed whenever possible!

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, and contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies’ bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals. However, there are many reasons why families rely on formula for some or all of their baby’s diet. Most babies in the US receive some formula during their first year of life, with 70 percent of babies receiving some formula by 3 months of age (CDC 2007). These babies need a safe and healthy source of food, and formula should be manufactured in a way that avoids contamination with hormone disrupting chemicals.

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.

Source: Environmental Working Group

Links We Like

Organic SUN BLOCK for Baby

WOTNOT Organic Sunscreen – 115ml
UV Natural Baby SPF 30+ – 50g or 150g

Organic Infant FORMULA

Step 1 Organic Formula from Birth – 900g
Holle Infant Non-Soy Formula – 400g

Non-Toxic Baby BOTTLES – free from BPA, PVC and Phthalates

Dr Brown’s BPA Free Baby Feeding Bottle – 240ml
BPA Free Baby Bottle Green to Grow – 300ml
Baby Nova BPA Free – 250ml

Baby Dummies / Pacifiers – free from BPA, PVC and Phthalates

Baby Nova Polypropelene Dummies
Razberry BPA Free Natural Dummy/Soother

Organic CLOTHING

Organic Babe – Organic Cotton Baby Wear

A Guide to Facilitate Fertility and Support Pregnancy

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