I have yet to meet a single mom that hasn’t asked herself “Glass or plastic?” when it comes to baby bottles. We all want the very best for our little ones, so these types of questions are only natural. Up until a few years ago, plastic baby bottles contained bisphenol A, a compound that could cause harmful changes in developing babies. In 2012, the FDA banned the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in the production of baby bottles and sippy cups. Since then, every plastic baby bottle or sippy cup sold in America is BPA free. Fantastic! That means you’re all good to go with the cheaper and lighter plastic bottles, right?
Unfortunately, no. There’s a bit more to the story of glass vs plastic.
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Before we get into the comparison of glass and plastic baby bottles, I think it’s important to mention that utilizing baby bottles to feed your baby breast milk is definitely a wise choice for all moms, for a number of reasons! One of the most important is that it allows working moms to go back to work sooner. It’s always heart breaking having to leave your little one, but many families rely on mommy earning an income, so bottles are lifesavers! It also allows the responsibility and joy of feeding to be shared with your spouse. This way they too can experience the intimate bonding during feeding but also give mommy a much needed helping hand and a chance to rest! Being able to stock up your breast milk in bottles is also essential for getting to enjoy some you time, either alone, with your spouse, or with friends. There are many more reasons to utilize baby bottles for feeding; for an in-depth breakdown of the pros and cons of bottle feeding as well as tips for first time bottle users, check out this amazing post by Jenny Silverstone from the site Mom Loves Best. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find there:
Okay, so now you know why using bottles is super helpful, but the next question is “Which type of bottle to use, glass or plastic?” The answer was not as simple as I thought it would be…
I remember browsing countless websites and mommy blogs when I wanted to find out which type of baby bottle to get for my baby. In my time spent searching, it was almost impossible to not find BPA mentioned, it was everywhere. They all said the same things, that plastic used to be bad, but BPA free plastic bottles were “safe.” However, I noticed in a few articles the conversation didn’t end at “safe.” Instead, it was more like, “Safe… but don’t store your milk in it.” Or, “Safe… but don’t heat it up.” … So is it safe or not? What started out as a curious search had turned into a cautious quest for the truth.
Turns out, it’s not just about BPA as many would have you believe. The plastic used to make baby bottles, whether they are BPA free or not, can break down and leach harmful chemicals into the contents of the bottle. Plastic bottles are cheaper, lighter, and more durable than glass… but they might also be poisoning your milk. When it comes to your baby, would you want to take that risk? I sure wouldn’t, which is why I decided to go with glass bottles. They’re a little heavier and a little more expensive, but – most importantly – they are chemical free. As a mother who values the long term health and safety of my child, that peace of mind is priceless. Did I also mention that glass is easier to clean, can withstand higher & lower temperatures, and doesn’t hold onto odors like plastic does? For the more natural and healthy choice, go with glass.
I personally went with the 5 Phases Hybrid Glass Baby Bottles for my baby. They come with a plastic sleeve which you insert the glass bottle into. This gives you the benefits of plastic (protects the glass from falls) without having it be in contact with your baby’s milk.
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