The conversation about the dangers of plastic has been ongoing, especially in a world where sea life washes up on shore trapped in human detritus. While many of us have taken steps to consider the impact of what we’re putting in the garbage and landfills and have taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic that goes out, we may be missing something closer to home. Plastics are a common ingredient in baby bottles, often preferred over glass for their light-weight design and nearly indestructible nature. Unfortunately, that safety and convenience may be coming at a hidden cost.
Are Plastic Baby Bottles Safe?
This may sound like an uncomplicated question, but it’s been revealed to be more complex than a straight yes or no. While plastic bottles are generally safe to use for feeding your baby, there are certain precautions that are necessary to ensure they’re safe. To understand the dangers involved, it’s necessary to familiarize yourself with the concept of microplastics.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics, as the name implies, are flecks of plastic that are usually too small to be seen with the naked eye. They’re found everywhere in the world these days, most abundantly in the ocean as the result of plastic garbage. This garbage is broken down by ocean waves and sand to become microplastics, which find their way into fish, onto beaches, and into everything the ocean contains. Research has recently shown that heating formula in a baby bottle causes the bottle to release countless microplastics, which are then consumed by your child.
Are Microplastics Dangerous?
Unfortunately, there’s no real way to know yet. The results of various studies have revealed that babies all over the world may be consuming as much as 1.5 million microplastic particles every day. There’s nothing in the available research that tells us that we need to worry about this yet. Unfortunately, the research is so new that the effects of this abundance of microplastic in the infant diet have yet to be determined. Concerned parents would be advised to heat their baby’s formula outside of the plastic bottle and then pour it into it for feeding. This may be less convenient than popping it in the microwave, but the potential health risks to your baby make the inconvenience worthwhile. As research continues, we’re going to learn more about microplastics and the effect they have on our health and those of the ones we love.
If you have questions or concerns about this or other things that affect your child’s health, reach out to Puri Pediatric Group in Fremont, CA today! Our team of pediatric specialists provides exceptional health care services to our patients and their families throughout the Fremont area. Call today to arrange your next appointment and find out what it means to be part of the Puri Pediatric Group’s family of patients. We’re excited to welcome you to our practice and becoming your home for pediatric care for years to come. Call us today to get started!
