As a new parent, there are lots of things that can feel stressful – you want to give your baby the best, but sometimes it’s hard to know what’s “right”. With lots of information in the media today about the health effects of food additives and chemical exposures, you might be wondering what materials to avoid in baby feeding tools.

This is a great question and luckily, the answer is not as complicated as you might think. While we do know that chemicals used in food-contact products may contribute to disease and disability (1), there are lots of safe options available. 

By the end of this article, you will be aware of materials to avoid in baby feeding tools and will feel confident when shopping for these items.

Materials to Avoid in Baby Feeding Tools

• • Plastics containing bisphenols. Bisphenols are a group of chemicals used to manufacture plastics, epoxy resins, and other products. The most common and well-known bisphenol is Bisphenol A, referred to as BPA (2).  Some evidence suggests they may cause hormone disruption and can impact development of the nervous system (1).
    • Note: The government of Canada has taken actions to limit infant exposure to BPA and any baby bottles purchased in Canada after 2010 are BPA-free (3).

• • Plastics containing phthalates. Phthalates are often found in plastic food wrap, plastic tubing, and storage containers. Some evidence suggests they may cause hormone disruption (1).  
  • Plastics containing perchlorate. Perchlorate is found in food packaging and may impact the thyroid hormone (1). ‍ 

Tips for Choosing and Cleaning Feeding Tools

• • Use alternatives to plastic when possible, such as glass, silicone, bamboo, and stainless steel.
  • Choose plastic products that are made in Canada or state “BPA-free”. 
  • Any product containing a three-sided triangular arrow with a number 7 in the centre, or a “PC” or “polycarbonate” marking on them may contain BPA (2).
  • Choose plastic products that are labelled “biobased” or “greenware”. This indicates they are made from corn or other natural materials. 
  • Avoid microwaving foods or beverages, including infant formulas, in plastic.
  • Avoid washing plastics in the dishwasher and instead wash these items by hand (1).

Final Notes from The Nest

Trying to make all the “right” decisions as a new parent is stressful! It’s important to remember that you are doing a great job! There are also lots of resources available to support you, like The Nest’s blog. 

One thing you don’t need to stress about is choosing the right feeding tools for your baby. You now know what materials to avoid in baby feeding tools, as well as some tips for choosing and cleaning these tools. You can shop with confidence and know you are doing right by your baby. 

If you want to learn even more about feeding your baby, check out The Nest’s Introducing Solids to Baby Virtual Group Class where you will have access to videos that answer all of your feeding questions!

Article Written by Natalie Johnston

References 

1. The American Academy of Pediatrics. Food additives and child health. J Pediatr. 2018;142(2):e20181408. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1408.  
2. Canada [Internet]. Ottawa: Government of Canada; [updated 2020 Jul 29; cited 2022 Jul 18]. Bisphenol A (BPA); [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-garden-safety/bisphenol-bpa.html
3. HealthyParentsHealthyChildren [Internet]. Edmonton: Alberta Health Services; c.2021 [cited 2022 Jul 18]. Feeding Your Baby; [about 10 screens]. Available from: https://www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca/im-a-parent/feeding-your-baby/thinking-about-feeding-your-baby/