(BlackDoctor.org) — Plastics have gained acceptance and popularity for simple reasons like easy handling, freedom from the problem of frequent breakage and subsequent replacements. These logical reasons have, of course, pushed some scientific facts into the back seat. These scientific facts not only are vital from the health view point of babies but also from the view point of environmental pollution. With Canada already taking steps towards banning baby bottles containing Bisphenol A and US FDA in the process of reviewing Bisphenol A’s safety, it is time for us to shift our view from convenience to safety.
From the health view point, most of the plastic baby bottles are made up of a chemical ingredient called Bisphenol A (BPA) that has been shown to cause harmful changes in the human brain and reproductive system. This BPA has also been shown to leach in the process of heating. Though this claim has been refuted by FDA, to put it simple terms, there are possibilities of the milk getting contaminated with BPA while plastic bottles are used for feeding. Of course, non-polycarbonate BPA free plastic bottles are available in the market for who wish to take precautions. Even then, let us not forget that these plastic bottles thrown out after use form a new class of environmental xenobiotic contaminants that resist natural microbial degradation.
Thus, the entire argument on the conflict rests on why plastic bottles should not be used. Based on this, we can scientifically conclude that every mother should be health conscious and eco-concerned and use glass baby bottles instead of plastic. If you have decided to use a glass bottle or already using glass, then please do remember to sterilize bottles and teats before you feed your child every time. This will ensure a feed free from microbial contaminations like harmful bacteria. Residual milk serves as an excellent medium for the growth of harmful bacteria and hence, care should be taken to clean the bottle, rings and teats after every feed. Different types of sterilizers are available in the market. Steam sterilizers allow sterilization of bottles, rings and teats by heating a small amount of water into steam to destroy bacteria and other microbial contaminants. Microwave sterilizers are another type of modern sterilizers. Cold-water sterilizers are sterilizers that do not need electricity or heat for the sterilization process. Glass bottles, as discussed, have lost acceptance mainly due to the problem of handling and breakage. Further, there are no such scientific allegations against the use of glass bottles for baby feeding.
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