Safe Baby Bottles – What All Parents Need to Know About Glass and Plastic Baby Bottles
Thirty to forty years ago, the only baby bottles available to parents were the ones made of glass, which were not only heavy, but also breakable. Years later, through technology and innovation came bottles that were made of plastic, which offered the benefits of being both lighter and unbreakable, making the glass baby bottle a thing of the past. Plastic baby bottles were created long before it was discovered that a certain type of plastic used in baby bottles can actually harm a developing baby. This news sparked the debate of which bottle is safer for babies, glass or plastic. So what is the best choice for parents looking for safe baby bottles? The following information regarding both glass and plastic baby bottles is intended to assist you in deciding for yourself which type of bottle is best for your baby.
Glass Baby Bottles:
Pros:
· Glass baby bottles are sturdy and are now available with silicon sleeves that protect against breakage when dropped.
· Glass bottles don’t contain harmful chemicals that might end up in the baby’s formula.
Cons:
· Glass bottles are heavy and somewhat more awkward than plastic ones.
· Glass bottles present the hazard of being dropped and having shattered glass on the floor to clean up.
Plastic Baby Bottles:
Pros:
· Lighter weight makes plastic bottles easier to handle.
· Plastic bottles will not shatter when dropped like some glass baby bottles.
· The FDA has issued statements that it believes the amounts of BPA (bisphenol A) that ends up in food or bottles made from plastic containing are too low to cause any real health effects in humans.
Cons:
· Some plastic bottles are made from plastics that contain bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to increased risk of various forms of cancer in lab rats that were exposed to the chemical.
· Plastic bottles made of polycarbonate are the ones that contain BPA, and can cause BPA to leak into the contents of the baby bottles (something you don’t want your baby drinking).
· The FDA continues to investigate the issues surrounding BPA containing plastic food and drink containers and the associated risks, which for now still remains unresolved.
Choosing a Bottle for Your Baby
Plastic
There are basically three different types of bottles for baby: glass, plastic, and plastic with plastic with plastic liners. Although there hasn’t been entirely conclusive evidence regarding the risks of BPA, if you wish to avoid exposing your baby to BPA, you should avoid buying plastic food/drink containers that display the either the #7 recycling symbol or the “PC” symbol on the bottom. These logos are general indicators that the item is likely to contain BPA, but not definite proof. Many plastic bottles will clearly state that their product does not contain BPA.
Even if you would like to continue using plastic bottles, you can still use ones that are made of non-polycarbonate plastics, which don’t contain BPA. Some examples of non-polycarbonate plastics are polyethylene (#1, #2, or #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5 recycling symbol). When your child is ready to use a sippy cup, there are non-polycarbonate plastics versions available.
Another option for ensuring that your baby isn’t exposed to BPA is using plastic baby bottles with disposable liners that don’t contain BPA, which will clearly say BPA-free on the label. This option does carry a higher cost due to the liners needing to be swapped out after each feeding.
Glass
If you decide that you do want to give glass baby bottles a try, but are worried about breakage and safety, there are silicon sleeves that are available that can be slipped over glass bottles to prevent breakage if the bottle is dropped.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Baby’s Bottle
You can reduce the risk of exposing your child to BPA by following these precautions:
- Don’t store breast milk or formula in plastic baby bottles. Place breast milk and formulas into bottles just before feeding and be sure to throw out any unused portion.
- Avoid exposing plastic bottles to heat and wear. Both heat and excessive wear degrade the plastic containing BPA and can increase the speed of the BPA leaking from a plastic bottle.
- Be sure to throw out polycarbonate bottles that show signs of wear such as cracks, chips, or scratches.
- Only use warm water and gentle cleansers on polycarbonate bottles and be sure not to use hot water or harsh cleansers which can cause the plastic to breakdown and release BPA.
- BPA can also be found in the lining of formula cans, so opting for powdered formulas will allow you to reduce the levels of BPA present in the formula.
Whether you choose plastic or glass baby bottles, feeding your baby can be a rewarding, bonding experience. If you follow the guidelines mentioned above, you can rest assured that you are providing the safest care for your child at mealtime.
Which kind of bottles will you buy for your little one? Shop for glass and BPA-free plastic baby bottles at http://www.mybabydust.com/baby-at-home/bottles-feeding/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_M.
The Basics to Breastfeeding Your Baby
Throughout the 9 months of your pregnancy, nature ensures that your body will be prepared to breast feed your baby. Breastfeeding will give your baby the best source of nutrients, and result in a good healthy start for your baby.
Breastfeeding and nursing your baby is an acquired skill. For both mom and baby, this will require time and patience on both parts. Breastfeeding comes more natural for some mothers and babies, but don’t feel pressure to perform.
If you happen to experience some difficulties in breastfeeding your baby, you can contact your local La Leche League and they will be happy to supply a local lactation consultant. They specialize in helping a new mother to breastfeed her baby, and have a lot of resources to ensure your breastfeeding success!
The First Two Days After Giving Birth
Most healthcare providers will encourage a mother to begin breastfeeding her baby as soon as possible. Some instances when breastfeeding a baby isn’t encouraged is when there was a difficulty in delivery such as a cesarean section. You will find that many babies immediately take to the breast, and find themselves breastfeeding with little to no effort. However, there are some cases such as a premature birth of a baby where the mother has a problem while trying to breastfeed her baby. If this is the case a mother can still stroke her baby, and encourage the baby to begin breastfeeding when it is ready.
Having Success in Breastfeeding
The best way to start breastfeeding your baby is to create an environment that is as calm as possible, as it will help provide both you and baby a soothing atmosphere to breastfeed. Keeping a drink nearby is a helpful tip to breastfeeding, as it will keep up your fluid intake.
One key to a successful breastfeeding is being in a comfortable nursing position. In general, most new mothers nurse and breastfeed their baby while sitting upright on a chair. Some women breastfeed with their feet raised and a pillow (or boppy pillow) on their lap, as that creates a natural, comfortable position for the breastfeeding of baby to take place. If you find that you are tired when you need to breastfeed, lay down on your side. Some women who are experiencing fatigue after their pregnancy find this to be the most relaxing way for them to begin breastfeeding.
An important thing to remember while breastfeeding your baby is to ensure that the baby is held close to your whole body, facing your breast. The baby’s chest should be next to your chest, and you should be able to bring your baby close to your breast easily, to allow an simple position for breastfeeding.
Positioning Your Baby Before Breastfeeding
Before you begin breastfeeding your baby, make sure both you and baby are comfortable. If the position you choose to breastfeed your baby is upright, make sure that baby’s head is supported by either your forearm or hold her head and shoulders with the hand that you have free. While your baby is breastfeeding, their head should be at the same level as your nipple, as this will allow the proper angle for you baby to suck and breastfeed successfully.
Another thing that might assist you in breastfeeding is to cup your breast with your hand. By supporting your breast with your fingers against your ribs, you provide your baby the most opportune ability to breastfeed. One thing to avoid is to pinch your nipple between two fingers, as it can prevent your baby from breastfeeding successfully. Some babies have the natural breastfeeding instinct, where the automatically begin to suck on your nipple as soon as they feel your breast on their cheek.
Ensure that Your Baby Has Latched On
Although it may feel unnatural, make sure your baby is breastfeeding with as much of your breast in their mouth as possible. Your baby is properly positioned if they are breastfeeding with a “mouthful” of breast, including your nipple and perhaps most of the areola.
While breastfeeding, your baby’s bottom lip should be curled back, as their jaw muscles will work almost rhythmically. If you notice that your baby’s cheeks are caving in while breastfeeding, then they aren’t suckling properly, and might make the breastfeed unsuccessful. If this is the case, to ensure proper breastfeeding you should reposition yourself or your baby and try again.
Changing Breasts if Necessary
Most babies breastfeed with various sucking patterns – from short sucks to longer bursts of sucking and sometimes with pauses in between. Your baby will let you know if your breast is empty by falling asleep or letting your nipple fall out of their mouth. This means that it’s time to breastfeed with the other breast.
If you feel that you need to stop your baby from breastfeeding, the easiest and most effective way is to break the breastfeed with your fingers. If your baby refuses to breastfeed with your other breast, let some time pass and the try breastfeeding again with the other nipple.
Engorgement
You may notice that a few days after you deliver your baby, your breast might begin to feel swollen. This is called engorgement of the breasts, and might even feel painful with accumulations of blood and milk. Breastfeeding as much as eight times within a 24 hour period might help alleviate this pain. One thing you can do is to make engorgement of the breast feel better, is to express a little bit of breast milk before you baby begins breastfeeding.
The Combination of Breast Milk and Bottle
At some point it might be necessary to give yourself a break from breastfeeding by pumping breast milk into a bottle. If you find yourself out on the run, or are returning to work, then pumping your breast milk will provide your baby with the same nutrients that they receive when the breastfeed. Breastfeeding is the best way to ensure your baby is getting what it needs – after all, the saying “mother’s milk is best” is definitely the case. At some point, you will need to stop breastfeeding altogether – but do this gradually, to provide proper transition.
Brian Gardner is the Founder of PregnancyEtc.com – An Online Pregnancy Resource For 9 Months & Beyond. Having recently experienced pregnancy firsthand with his wife Shelly, Brian has dedicated his efforts towards pregnancy research. The development of http://www.pregnancyetc.com was to ensure that expecting parents had a place to find information on pregnancy and babies.
