With all the concern over bisphenol-A (BPA) in plastic, parents are turning an anxious eye toward a fundamental tool in the parenting arsenal – the baby bottle. Can plastic baby bottles somehow harm the babies they are supposed to nourish? And are glass bottles a viable alternative?

According to Dr. Serena Scott, a neonatologist in Austin, Texas, bisphenol-A is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic, the material commonly used to make durable hard plastic baby bottles, as well as sippy cups and water bottles. Because BPA can leach from polycarbonate, especially when heated, some bottle manufacturers have produced BPA-free bottles made of alternative plastic materials.

"The National Institute of Environmental Health determined that BPA may pose risks to human development, including neural and behavioral problems in children exposed to the chemical," Dr. Scott says. "A 2007 consensus statement from a scientific panel in the journal Reproductive Toxicology concluded that there was 'cause for concern' about the potential for adverse effects in humans."

Sandra Gordon, author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products (Consumer Reports, 2007), doesn't think parents should be too alarmed. "I think the question of whether polycarbonate baby bottles pose a threat to babies is now moot because there are so many bisphenol-A-free plastic baby bottles out these days, as well as glass," Gordon says. "Pretty soon, it's going to be as tough to find a polycarbonate baby bottle as it was to find a glass baby bottle even just two years ago. The FDA says the levels of BPA in polycarbonate bottles aren't a threat, but I'd play it safe because we don't know all the risks. I'd use either BPA-free plastic bottles or glass."

Glass is pure, safe and healthy for both babies and the environment because it is both naturally BPA and lead free. Glass is a sustainable material, and can be endlessly recycled while maintaining its quality and purity.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.