As you’re preparing to stock up on feeding bottles, you may have heard that plastic is bad for your baby because it contains BPA. With many top brands advertising that their bottles are safe, you may be left wondering whether baby bottles are BPA-free.
American legislation states that all baby bottles produced after 2013 must be BPA-free. Bottles should therefore be made from food-grade plastic such as polyethylene or glass. Experts recommend not using older baby bottles as there’s no way to know if these bottles were manufactured before 2013.
Key takeaways
- As per American legislation, all baby bottles produced after 2013 must be BPA-free
- Don’t use older bottles you may have kept from previous children
- BPA molecules are released into the milk when the bottle is heated
- BPA-free refers to bottles made without Bisphenol A
- Only opt for food-grade plastic such as polyethylene
- Glass bottles are made from natural products and are toxin and BPA-free
- Most top brands have glass bottle alternatives
What is BPA and why is it harmful?
Whether or not you’ve had a baby, you’ve most likely heard of BPA. Essentially, BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical found in most hard plastics which include household items, food containers and drinking water bottles.
Research has shown that continued exposure to BPA can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system. Recent studies have linked BPA to several health problems in children. Some of these issues include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), early puberty in girls, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and even anxiety and depression.
Furthermore, constant exposure to BPA is believed to increase the risk of prostate, breast and several other cancers in adults. This is primarily because as an endocrine system disruptor, BPA’s harmful components can affect all the glands in your body responsible for making hormones. That said, it’s definitely not something you want to expose your baby to from birth!
How does BPA reach your baby?
A common question many parents ask is, “How could the BPA inside the bottle plastic reach your baby?”. The simple answer is that BPA molecules migrate into the baby’s milk or formula when the bottle is heated or placed in the microwave.
Is it safe to boil plastic baby bottles? Essentially, you shouldn’t boil older plastic bottles that may have been produced before 2013. Some experts recommend boiling the milk in a glass container and then pouring it into your plastic feeding bottles. Plastic bottles made of food-grade materials are safe to warm.
Do all plastic baby bottles contain BPA?
The good news is that although BPA is primarily found in plastic, many modern types of plastic don’t contain BPA. If you’re going to opt for plastic feeding bottles, always look for opaque plastic. This type of plastic is essentially made of polypropylene or polyethylene which means they’re BPA-free.
Furthermore, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and feeding cups. The legislation (Stat. 325F to 175 of 2013) also states that all plastic materials used in the production of baby feeding products need to be made from food-grade materials. This means that any plastic baby bottles made after 2013 will be toxin and BPA-free.
Plastic bottles are also a great idea when you want to freeze breastmilk in a bottle for storage.
Are all glass bottles BPA-free?
By the sheer nature of its production process, glass is BPA-free. That said, glass is generally considered the safest option for water and feeding bottles because it’s chemical-free and therefore BPA-free. More good news is that glass bottles are dishwasher-safe and stain-resistant. Additionally, most top baby bottle brands offer glass alternatives if you want to avoid plastic options altogether.
Are these popular baby bottle brands BPA-free?
When you’re shortlisting options for the ideal baby bottle brand to opt for, you might be concerned about whether or not they contain any BPA. Since many brands feature both glass and plastic options, it’s a valid concern. I’ve compiled a list of the more popular bottle options and reviewed their potential BPA content.
| Brand Name | BPA-free Bottles |
| Avent | BPA-free options: – Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle 9oz |
| Tommee Tippee | Reputable anti-colic features, BPA-free options: – Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles – Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Baby Feeding Bottle – Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Glass |
| Dr. Brown | Well-known for treating colic & reflux symptoms, BPA-free options – Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options – Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Glass |
| Medela | BPA-free options: – Medela Breast Milk Collection and Storage Bottle |
| MAM | BPA-free options: – MAM Easy Start Anti Colic Baby Bottle – MAM Feel Good Glass Bottle |
| Comotomo | Pharmaceutical-grade silicone, BPA-free options – Comotomo Baby Bottle 8oz – Comotomo Baby Bottle 5oz |
| NUK | Stain & odor resistant, BPA-free options – NUK Smooth Flow Anti Colic Baby Bottles – NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottle |
| Playtex | Leak-proof, BPA-free options – Playtex Baby Ventaire Anti-Colic Bottle – Playtex Baby VentAire Baby Bottles |
| Lansinoh | BPA-free options – Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Breast Pump Bottles – Lansinoh Momma Breastmilk Feeding Bottle – Lansinoh Glass Baby Bottles |
Avent Baby Bottles BPA-free?
Both the Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle and Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottle types are produced using durable polypropylene which is BPA-free. As a food-grade material, polypropylene is considerably easy to wash and sterilize. All Philips Avent Bottles can be boiled without any risk of toxin release. They also have a glass option, the Philips Avent Glass Natural Baby Bottle for parents who prefer the benefits of glass.
Tommee Tippee Baby Bottles BPA-free?
As an industry leader, Tommee Tippee removed all traces of BPA from all their feeding bottles in January 2009 already. That means all Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Feeding Bottles are BPA-free and safe to use from birth right through to toddlerhood. Tommee Tippee also has a glass option, the Tommee Tippee Convertible Glass Bottle. Tommee Tippee is regarded by many as one of the top bottles to use for thickened formula.
Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles BPA-free?
For years Dr.Brown’s baby bottles have been a top choice for new and experienced parents alike. Essentially, all of Dr.Brown’s plastic bottles, such as Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options are made of BPA-free polypropylene plastic, making them BPA-free.
Their range also includes a glass option, Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Glass which is made from pharmaceutical-grade borosilicate glass. This type of glass is both heat and thermal shock-resistant. Dr. Brown is well-known for its anti-colic features.
Here’s a short clip that shows you how easy it is to use a BPA-free Dr.Brown’s Natural Flow bottle.
Medela Baby Bottles BPA-free?
All of Medela’s plastic feeding bottles are made of polypropylene, making them BPA-free. Unlike many other well-known brands, Medela’s feeding range has never contained any BPA. Their Medela Breast Milk Collection and Storage Bottle is the most popular in their range..
MAM Baby Bottles BPA-free?
MAM has always prided itself in making feeding bottles free of BPA as well as BPS toxins. This means their MAM Easy Start Anti Colic Baby Bottle is made of safe, food-grade plastic. Also in their range is the MAM Feel Good Glass Bottle made from temperature-resistant glass.
Comotomo Baby Bottles BPA-free?
Since the Comotomo baby bottle range is made from 100% non-toxic medical grade silicone, they also don’t contain any BPA. Many parents prefer the silicone of the Comotomo Baby Bottle because it’s heat resistant as well as microwave and dishwasher-safe. With two anti-colic vents placed on the nipple, this option is a firm favorite for parents dealing with babies suffering from colic or reflux.
NUK Baby Bottles BPA-free?
Popular brand NUK is another company that stopped using BPA in all of their feeding products before legislation forced them to. Their NUK Smooth Flow Anti Colic Baby Bottles are not only BPA-free but also stain and odor resistant. The NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottle is equally popular.
Playtex Baby Bottles BPA-free?
Two top features that make Playtex feeding bottles firm favorites are that they are both BPA-free and leak-proof. Their Playtex Baby Ventaire Anti-Colic Bottle and the Playtex Baby VentAire Baby Bottles are the most preferred plastic options.
Lansinoh bottles BPA-free?
Lansinoh uses polypropylene plastic in their bottles that is BPA- and toxin-free. Their glass versions are made from medical-grade borosilicate and therefore they’re also BPA-free.
Final Thoughts
Since it has become legislation in the U.S. for all baby feeding products to be BPA-free, including bottle liners the good news is that you can easily opt for any of your preferred baby bottle brands. Many brands offer glass or silicone alternatives for parents who would rather not use any plastic. Note that once you’ve bought some, you can always choose to go for another type of bottle to try out. You can just give away or donate your previously purchases bottle.
To ensure that the brand you’re opting for is BPA-free, always check the label on the product. For peace of mind, consider checking the product information on the manufacturer’s website.
