BPA?

It has been said that there is a ton of posts re: bpa.... I found the one in DC but before I get all nervous, what is it? I feel like the more I read about potential dangers to children the less sleep I am getting, and I do not want to be one of those paranoid mommys that put their kid in a bubble ya know?? no offense to anyone but my sil is like that and I can't stand it.So sorry if this has been asked a million and one times but can someone help?

It's a chemical in plastic baby bottles that can potinally harm your baby when they are older. If you heat the bottle up. Certian brands have bpa free bottles like Bornfree

evenflo has bpa free bottles 3 for 2.99

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that if you just don't put the bottle in the microwave (which you aren't supposed to anyway) that you don't have to worry about the BPA. Just put the milk in the bottle after its already warmed up.

So....when you heat them up in the bottle warmer the bottle becomes harmful (potentially)? How do you clean a bottle with out heatig it up? I probably sound silly, but i am trying to avoid going to web md and freaking my hormonal self out 

Quoting 1xmom:“ It has been said that there is a ton of posts re: bpa.... I found the one in DC but before I get all ... [snip!] ... but my sil is like that and I can't stand it.So sorry if this has been asked a million and one times but can someone help?”

There is a really good article about it in this month's (or maybe April's, I can't remember which) Discover magazine. I think it's the cover story. There's been research that BPA is something that can come into your body and emulate hormones (specifically estrogen), so it doesn't act like a poison, it acts like something natural to your system, although it isn't. It's theorized to be linked to reproductive system issues even into the third generation (if you are carrying a girl, it may affect the eggs that have already developed), early onset puberty, feminization of males, etc.

I'd really recommend to go to the library and look at that issue of Discover. It's kind of alarming, but it is a very good article that explains in detail some of the issues surrounding it.

It is always better to be safe than sorry, in my opinion. We can't avoid everything bad for you out there, but if we know something might be harmful, we can stay away from it as much as we can.

Well if there's no milk in the bottle (like when you're cleaning it) the chemicals can't leach into the milk, so it wouldn't be a concern. If you're really freaked about it, just use a bottle that doesn't have BPA! Playtex drop-ins are a good option. Lots of companies are now marketing BPA-free bottles because of all the hoopla, so there are lots out there to choose from.

Check out this site for more info...

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html#j

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that if you just don't put the bottle in the microwave (which you ... [snip!] ... supposed to anyway) that you don't have to worry about the BPA. Just put the milk in the bottle after its already warmed up.”

heating it up in anyway can release it. doesnt matter if you are washing it, sterilizing it etc.

Quoting chicki-chicki:“ Check out this site for more info... http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html#j”

i dont know how much i trust that site....

here is a posting on safemom.com

Bisphenol-A (Bis-fen-ol) - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hormone-mimicking chemical used in polycarbonate plastic resins, epoxy resins, and other products. It is most commonly used in baby bottles or any type of hard shatterproof plastic containers. It is also found in the lining of canned goods, plastic wrap and other household plastics. Bisphenol has estrogenic properties which, in animal tests has shown to cause a bevy of health problems such as an increase in prostate and breast cancer, uro-genital abnormalities in male babies, a decline in semen quality in men, early onset of puberty in girls, metabolic disorders including insulin-resistant (Type 2) diabetes and obesity and neurobehavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Research is showing that when plastic containers, mostly those used to hold liquids and foods, are leeching Bisphenol into the foods and liquids they are holding. Heating food and liquids with these plastics is shown to increase the leeching of this contaminate.

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that if you just don't put the bottle in the microwave (which you ... [snip!] ... supposed to anyway) that you don't have to worry about the BPA. Just put the milk in the bottle after its already warmed up.”

no. it can still release the chemicals

I realize that heating it releases the chemicals, but it can't release the chemicals into the milk if there's no milk in the bottle...I thought the whole thing about BPA is that HEAT releases it, so how can it be released if it's not heated?

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ I realize that heating it releases the chemicals, but it can't release the chemicals into the milk if ... [snip!] ... in the bottle...I thought the whole thing about BPA is that HEAT releases it, so how can it be released if it's not heated?”

All methods of heating plus natural aging of the plastic. It will leach a little bit anyway but heat (including bottle sterilizers, microwaves, and dishwashers) and wear make it worse.

There was also an article in last week's People Magazine. It stated that a study was done on 2500 people and BPA was found in 93% of their urine. I think it leeches out more when it's heated, but if it's in a container or bottle, some of the chemical will make it's way into you.

Also, Babies R Us and Walmart are removing all products containing BPA from their shelves. I don't know the time frame for Walmart, but for BRU all products will be gone by the end of the year.

Huh, well ok. Like I said, I'm not too sure about all this!