Baby Bottles: Glass vs. Plastic

An article in today's Washington Post discusses a growing movement among new parents away from plastic bottles in favor of glass bottles for their babies. In general, choosing almost anything over plastic is better for the environment, but in the context of baby bottles, this is especially true.

According to the Post article, "Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a manmade chemical used in polycarbonate plastic, the material used to make most baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic food containers. Americans are widely exposed to BPA, but opinions on its safety are mixed.",

While the Food & Drug Administration currently approves of BPA in combination with food sources, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is slightly more apprehensive about BPA. Some studies show that the chemical has negative impacts on rat reproductive systems. Until additional tests can be preformed, the CDC is not fully supportive of BPA in baby bottles.

The Washington Post interviewed pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, author of "Raising Baby Green." Dr. Greene said that he cannot assure the parents of his patients that plastic bottles containing BPA are safe for babies. He goes on to say that he would use glass bottles for his own children.

All of this talk about plastic bottles and baby health has lead to a sharp increase in the sale of glass bottles. Current sales of glass bottles at Babies 'R' Us increased five fold in 2007. Baby bottle manufacturer Dr. Brown has begun manufacturing glass bottles after exclusively selling a polycarbonate bottle for a decade.

Keep in mind that glass bottles are recyclable and are not made using petroleum or toxic chemicals. Plastic bottles cannot necessarily make the same claim.

To read the full Post article go HERE

To buy Dr. Brown's glass bottles go HERE