Safer Infant Formulas

I know the majority of you aren't affected by the safety of infant formulas--especially if you don't have a little person in your house drinking the stuff.  Honestly, I'm not either, since I don't use formula or bottles, but when I was checking out EWG's webpage, anxiously awaiting the release of their Household Cleanser Database (not out yet.) I found an article about Infant Formulas and Bottles.  I thought that even though it's not relevant to most of us, for those that DO use infant formulas and bottles, it's important information to know.


You always hear about the danger of BPA in baby bottles, causing many parents to switch to glass bottles, but the tests the EWG did show that there is very little BPA that is leached into the formula during a normal feeding. (Glass is still best, because BPA IS contaminating the formula.)   The real concern is what's already in the formula from it's packaging.  Basically, almost all formula packaging contains BPA.  The canned liquid formulas have more BPA than the powdered, but the powdered still have some BPA in their lining. This is all national brands, except Nestle, who *said* theirs didn't contain BPA but failed to provide any proof. 

If you're a formula/bottle user I'd recommend reading this article.  There are LOTS of good, research based information, but also a quick, users guide to bottles and formula. 

Here is their guide from their site.  Thanks EWG! 

EWG's Guide to Infant Formula and Baby Bottles: Safe Baby Bottle and Formula Guide

Breast milk is best, but whether you’re feeding breastmilk or formula in a bottle, use this guide to feed your baby safely. Read more about babies' exposures to BPA in formula

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.