How2Day: List of Safe Baby Bottles and Cups

Every parent wants to ensure that their child is safe in every area, and the baby's bottle or cup is no exception. Taking the time to research safe products will ease the worrying parent's mind and help to ensure the child's safety. When searching for safe baby products, parents need to find products that are BPA-free, have added safety features and are made up of high quality, long-lasting material.

If you choose a plastic baby bottle or cup, be sure that it is BPA-free. BPA stands for Bisphenol-A, a substance suspected to cause reproductive and developmental problems in children. BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastic and the lining of canned goods. Plastic containers that are made of polycarbonate are labeled with the recycle number 7. By avoiding these products, or purchasing glass or BPA-free bottles and cups, you reduce your child's risk of developmental problems. To further protect yourself and your family, do not microwave plastic containers, and reduce your use of canned goods, which also have polycarbonate in the lining. BornFree, Evenflo and Dr. Brown all make plastic baby bottles that are BPA-free.

Finding the accurate nipple flow rate is important for your child's safety. A flow rate that is too fast can cause your baby to choke; on the other hand, it should not be so slow that your baby has to struggle to get milk. Typically, stage 1 flow rates are for babies up to 3 months of age, stage 2 offers a bit more resistance and stage 3, or fast-flow nipples, are not recommended for babies younger than 3 months. Munchkin's Tri-Flow nipples offer all three flow rates in one nipple. Consumers can change the flow rate by rotating the nipple. Dr. Brown offers a flow rate for premature babies, and Y-cut or cross-cut nipples are available for thicker drinks.

Glass bottles are BPA-free and therefore a safe alternative to polycarbonate plastic bottles. However, the dangers of glass are obvious: if one falls or is dropped and shatters, the glass pieces become extremely dangerous for everyone around. It is certainly not safe for your toddler to hold a glass cup. Foogo thermos, Klean Kanteen and SAFE Sippy all offer sippy cups in stainless steel. To help keep your child from dropping their sippy cup, consider buying one with handles, as these are easier for little fingers to hold.

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