Plastic is a major problem for the environment. Plastic waste is an enormous problem for the world and it’s all too easy for babies to mistake it for food.
It is difficult for a baby to digest, but with proper care and feeding, can be manageable. But should you switch to natural baby food? The answer is not so straight-forward.
You will need to research the type of food you are going to switch to, but once you know what to try and what to avoid, you can start making changes.
This blog post is focused on the issue of plastic and how you can reduce your baby’s exposure to plastic through plastic containers, plastic toys, plastic wrap, plastic baby bottle, etc.
Why are plastic water bottles preferred by parents?
Plastic water bottles are lightweight and may easily be carried in a purse.
You may also offer it to your children to feed themselves since you know they will be able to manage it and the bottle will not shatter if it falls.
However, the benefit ends there. Single-use plastics are environmentally unfriendly as mentioned by the environmental protection agency, and glass bottles are healthier for your health.
Is plastics safe for babies?
Hardly a mother would have imagined that scratchproof, indestructible, light, and convenient plastic bottles, children’s toys and plastic wrap accessories might damage their child.
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in the creation of a hard, clear plastic called polycarbonate plastic, and phthalates, are found in plastic bottles.
These chemicals may leak into the liquid or food kept in the bottle or container under the leach chemicals phenomena.
When your child eats or drinks foods and drinks kept in plastic baby bottles sippy cups or boxes, he or she will inhale these toxins, even in minute amounts.
Long-term exposure to these chemicals may wreak havoc on the body’s endocrine system, resulting in a slew of health problems.
Because of the dangers of BPA, it was outlawed in infant items. Many firms, however, continue to employ it in their goods.
Many of the studies also came to the conclusion that even items labeled as BPA-free are not completely free of the chemical and contain some BPA.
When it comes to the health of the kid, under the toxic substances control act it is thus advised to depend on certain alternatives such as glass and steel to avoid plastic toys, sippy cups, food packaging, and bottles.
Is plastic safe for baby – Should I choose glass or plastic baby bottles and sippy cups?
It all relies on what you value most. Glass baby bottles are environmentally safe, easier to clean, and don’t contain pollutants that might contaminate your baby’s food.
If you keep plastic bottles out of the machine and don’t scrub them with strong abrasives that might wear away the lining, they are normally safe to use.
Plastic bottles are extremely lightweight and indestructible, making them safer for self-feeding days.
In the end, your children’s requirements will determine whether plastic or glass bottles are best for them. BPA-free plastic bottles are safe if your child is self-feeding and you are ready to hand-wash the bottles.
Glass bottles are definitely the best option if you’re prepared to be the main feeding and don’t mind doing the dishes.
Is plastic safe for baby – How Does Plastic Substance Affect My Baby?
1. Plastic elements are very damaging to a baby’s growth and development. It was also discovered that BPA was linked to obesity, cancer, and diabetes.
2. BPAs have been shown to alter hormonal balances, resulting in a variety of health issues. Aside from that, plastic includes carcinogens, which cause cancer.
3. Although studies demonstrate that plastic components accumulate in the body and cause reproductive issues, low sperm count in men, hyperactivity, and other issues, you may not see an immediate impact on your kid.
4. Recent findings have shown that it has a deleterious influence on brain development, the immunological system, and the reproductive system.
5 Proven Ways to keep your baby safe from plastic
- Ensure plastic type
Before you purchase anything for your kid, it’s critical that you get your facts straight and learn about baby items. Turn a bottle upside down before purchasing one for your infant to check whether it has a number sign on it. The quality of plastics is represented by all of the numeric symbols. Avoid using plastic utensils with the symbols 1, 3, 6, and 7 for keeping meals and drinks since they are not designed for this use. They are high in BPA, which damages the endocrine system. As a result, double-check the bottoms of containers before putting them in your basket.
- Choose carefully
The key to protecting your kid from plastic is to shop wisely. Make sure you choose polyethylene or polypropylene bottles. Their primary characteristic is that they are colorful and thick rather than transparent. Your child’s health is valuable, therefore don’t purchase him anything from a garage sale. Because inexpensive plastics are quickly worn, they have a significant leaching property.
- Do not place containers on direct sunlight
As previously stated, heat causes BPA to be released, which then leaches into the food and drinks placed in it. As a result, keep containers cold and out of direct sunlight.
- Maintain personal hygiene
Personal hygiene is the finest method for cleaning plastic kitchenware. Chemical leaching properties may be enhanced by washing them with strong detergents or in dishwashers.
- Look for plastic alternatives
Avoid using sticky plastic wraps to preserve food or to reheat it in the microwave. When food comes into close touch with plastic, the chemicals in the food leak out, rendering it unsafe to eat. These harmful compounds are more easily absorbed by foods. Other alternatives, such as steel plates, tissue paper, and paper towels, may be used instead. Instead of using plastic containers, you may use small glass bins. These are widely accessible, long-lasting, and safe to use.
Finding plastic-free options for your child
Although polypropylene is typically safe to use in the kitchen and in the baby’s nursery, it does have a number of drawbacks.
As I previously said, this plastic is not healthy for the environment as a whole and generates a significant amount of garbage to our landfills.
Because they are also manufactured from oil and gas, these businesses produce extra chemical by-products that pollute the air and raise carbon emissions.
Although completely avoiding plastic is difficult, there are numerous possibilities for replacing high-quality, long-lasting things for throwaway plastic in your house to avoid putting it down all of the time.
Although plastic is no longer the ideal material for infant bottles, there are lots of safer alternatives available.
1. Glass
Baby bottles made out of old glass have been popular for decades. It’s a nutritious and safe choice that’s simple to sanitize in boiling water.
Glass is also more durable and may be used for your future child with ease. It’s also recyclable, which is good for the environment.
Glass bottles have the drawback of being somewhat heavier than their plastic equivalents, making it more difficult for newborns to self-feed at an early age and increasing the risk of breaking.
2. Stainless steel
Stainless steel is almost indestructible, very strong, and naturally insulating, so its contents will stay hot or cold for an extended length of time.
This makes it an excellent alternative for baby bottles, particularly while you’re out and about, since it eliminates the need to warm up your bottle to feed your child if no equipment is accessible.
Despite the fact that a steel bottle is heavier than a plastic bottle, designs have made it easier for little hands to grip.
3. Silicone
Silicone is a non-toxic polymer mostly formed of silica that is lightweight, supple like rubber, and does not shatter, making it an ideal material for environmentally friendly bottles.
It can tolerate warming and freezing without leaking dangerous chemicals into the food. We adore how flexible and spongy silicone containers are, making them suitable for small hands that want to touch.
Is plastic safe for baby – How Can I Save My Baby From Plastics?
Do you want to save your baby from plastics? There are many things you can do to make sure your baby has a safe and healthy environment.
For example, cover your baby’s pacifier in a silicone coating. This will prevent it from getting into your baby’s mouth.
Additionally, make sure to turn your baby’s bottle upside down before you give it to your baby to ensure that it does not contain plastics.
You can also use a nipple brush on your breast pump to clean it and make sure it is free of plastic.
You can also boil the bottle to make sure that it is safe.
Although you may want to consider other options, like a glass bottle, your baby may not always be willing to drink from a glass bottle.
What is the best way to clean plastic baby bottles?
Because non-BPA plastic is heat sensitive, handwashing plastic baby bottles is recommended. Cleaning hard-to-reach regions at the bottom of the bottle using a bottle brush is a good idea.
Is plastic safe for baby – Message for parents
When you think about the things you give your baby, one of the most important things you should consider is the safety of the product.
There are so many things you can give your baby, and many of them involve plastic.
All of these items are made of plastic, and they are specifically designed to be safe for babies.
In order to make these items safe, they have to be tested to ensure that they are safe. But even then, they are not guaranteed to be safe.
That’s why you should think about what you should give your baby. You should try to give your baby objects that have a natural texture to them. You should also try to avoid using plastic products as much as you can.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our post on the safety of plastic for babies. We know that there are many uncertainties surrounding the use of plastic.
One of these uncertainties is whether or not plastic is safe for babies. In order for you to take the best precautions for your child, we hope that you read the information provided in our blog post.