We just received in The Safe Sippy BPA-free, phthalates-free and DEHA-free cup, and I got one for my 16 month old daughter in preparation of switching over all of her sippy cups in light of the increasing evidence of dangers to children exposed to BPA.
I know you would expect me to of course talk about how great these cups are, and I do think they are great based on the specs and feedback from other moms, but I was really surprised at the reaction my daughter had over this cup - she was, and still is, really fascinated! I don’t know if it is the straw-shaped spout, or bright colors, but she now points to it whenever she sees it over her other cups.
Any mom knows that finding the right sippy can often be a challenge, and once you find one it is often even harder to transition them to something else. For me, the bpa-controversy has given me motivation to take on the task. Luckily, for this change I have it easy. I’m sure the novelty will wear off for her, but I am so glad I will be able to transition her from her others without challenge! Now on to trying to figure out how to get her to let me cut her nails…
The FDA has announced BPA is safe for human consumption. The Washington Post article that ran this past Sunday called Studies on Chemical In Plastics Questioned: Congress Examines Role Of Industry in Regulation states that “Despite more than 100 published studies by government scientists and university laboratories that have raised health concerns about a chemical compound that is central to the multibillion-dollar plastics industry, the Food and Drug Administration has deemed it safe largely because of two studies, both funded by an industry trade group.” It goes on to point out that the FDA relied soley on research backed by the American Plastics Council.
Needless to say, everyone at WhatEveryBabyNeeds.com finds this truly disturbing.
The National Toxicology Program, an arm of National Institutes of Health, has produced studies that differ in their results from those that the FDA has chosen to accept. On the surface, it seems that the FDA has chosen to ignore reports from within its own system. A public meeting has been scheduled for September 16 to discuss issues arising from the preliminary report issued by the NIH, which expresses concern over the dangers of BPA, especially in relation to infants and children. One thing to keep in mind: no one is saying that BPA is safe. Everyone acknowledges that it is a dangerous toxicant. The only argument is over the level required to inflict significant damage on us (particularly infants and children).
We continue to strongly support the use of BPA-free bottles and sippy cups for children, and strongly encourage everyone to read the Washington Post article. We will be following this, and the California legislature’s consideration of a ban on the toxic chemical BPA in some children’s products.
In a follow-up to my post on the BPA bottle issue, we found this great list that was compiled by SafeMama that lists the BPA-safe sippy cups. That said, this may not be a comprehensive list, but it covers the most popular brands.
BPA Free Sippy Cups
Avent Magic Cups
Playtex: Coolster Tumbler, Insulator, Einstein Training Cup, Sipster, Create My Own, Quick Straw, Insulator Sport, Sip and Discover, First Sipster
Gerber: Sip & Smile Spill-proof Cup, Easy Grip Insulated Soft Straw Cup, Insulated Cool Cup, Fun Grips Color Change Spill-proof Cup, Grins & Giggles Spill-proof Cup (source)
BornFree sippy/drinking cups
Kleen Kanteen
Thermos Foogo Sippy Cups, and drinking bottle with straw
SIGG Toddler Water Bottles
Kid Basix The Safe Sippy
Boon Sippy
GrowPure Multi-Stage Feeder and Sippy Cup
iPlay Aqua Bottle
ThinkBaby Training Cup
Sassy Snack Time Infa-Trainer Cup
Munchkin: Cupsicle, Cupsicle Straw Cup, Big Kid Sippy Cup, Mighty Grip Flip Straw Cup, Mighty Grip Trainer Cup, licensed character Sports Bottles, Re-usable Straw Cups, Re-usable Spill-proof Cups
Nuby: No-Spill Sports Sipper, Insulated Soft Silicone Spout Cup, Soft Spout Easy Grip Cup, Gripper Cup with Soft Silicone Spout, 2-Handle Cup, Tinted Mega Sipper
The First Years: Take & Toss, Spill-proof Cup, Insulated Cup, Licensed character sippy cups, Insulated Spill-proof Cup, 2 Handled Cups
We’ve been aware of the BPA issue in baby bottles for several months now, but with the recent spate of news stories regarding the potential for ‘bisphenol A’ (BPA) in baby bottles to cause harm to infants, I became increasingly concerned about our baby daughter and did some research on the web. The news stories relate to studies that have indicated an increased risk of adverse reproductive and liver health effects from exposure to BPA.
Just yesterday, the government of Canada announced they are initiating a 60 day public comment period on banning all baby bottles containing BPA. Click here to read. Their proposed action is based on a risk assessment performed by the government. They also have a useful fact sheet, that indicates the main risk of BPA leaching from baby bottles is with having very hot liquids contact the baby bottles.
Just over a year ago the European Union’s Food Safety Authority disputed some of the findings of the research that has shown high risks related to BPA – but they certainly admit that infants who are using polycarbonate bottles can have a much higher exposure rate to BPA than do adults, and that such infants can be exposed at 26% of the new (in 2006) ‘Tolerable Daily Intake’ level. Interestingly, this exposure rate exceeds the old (from 2002) ‘Tolerable Daily Intake’ by 30%! Check it out here.
Although we previously used bottles that do have BPA, we have been using the using the ‘Green to Grow’ (BPA-free) bottles since she’s been 8 months old, so hopefully our daughter will have a low enough exposure to BPA to avoid any issues. Scary stuff.
