The Family Groove "Bottle Rocket"

BOTTLE RACKET
WITH SO MUCH BOTTLE BABBLE OUT THERE, IT’S EASY TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DIN OF
WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE. BPA-FREE, SILICONE OR RUBBER NIPPLES,
GLASS OR PLASTIC—HERE’S YOUR BABY BOTTLE 101.

Putting together the best bottle for your baby is a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
Finding the right combination can take a lot of trial and error. Not to mention having to consider
the age-old question: glass or plastic?

Plastic bottles have recently come under scrutiny due to the risk of passing the chemical Bisphenol A,
more commonly known as BPA, through the bottle. You can usually spot a BPA bottle by flipping it over and looking for the recycling symbol #7 or PC. If the bottle doesn’t contain these markings, that still doesn’t guarantee safety—always check with the bottle’s manufacturer to make sure.

So, why all the fuss about BPA?

“We know that BPA is a synthetic estrogen, not unlike like the old drug DES,” explains Dr. Alan Greene. Dr. Greene (www.drgreene.com) is a pediatrician, father of four and author of Raising Baby Green.

“We know from animal studies that even tiny amounts, the amounts that would leach from baby bottles, can lead to serious problems in animals—especially if the exposure happens during pregnancy or to very young animals,” says Dr. Greene. “There is not enough evidence yet to prove harm in human children nor enough to prove human safety.”

A report by the National Institutes of Health found that BPA may alter brain development and behavior. There is even some indication that it can increase the risk of prostate cancer in infants and fetuses. On the flip side, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration assessed that the chemical is safe at current exposure levels.

While the final verdict on BPA is still out, Dr. Greene thinks mothers should play it safe.

“With excellent alternatives available, I don’t see any reason to settle for BPA exposure during pregnancy or for young children,” he says.

Here are a few lines that offer BPA-free alternatives.

Adiri
Adiri’s Natural Nurser is about as close as you can come to simulating breast-feeding by bottle. Complete with a venting system housed in the base of the bottle and a wide-neck nipple, the Natural Nurser can help ease your baby’s transition to bottles. It’s also dishwasher safe and available in three nipple flows.
($13, Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Baby Bottle, www.nestorganics.com)

Medela
BPA-free since inception, Medela’s bottles follow the “breast to belly” mantra. The Breast Milk Feeding and Storage Set works with all Medela breast pumps and is dishwasher safe. Volume marks are easy to read in ounces and milliliters, the handy hygienic cap keeps the nipple clean and the two-piece lid is great for storing breast milk in your fridge or freezer.
($14.99, Medela Breast Milk Feeding and Storage Set, www.target.com)

MAM ULTIvent
A bottom vent and an ultra-soft, ergonomic-shaped nipple let this Sassy bottle really go with the flow. It also has innovative features like a wide mouth for easy filling, a special valve for less gas and a removable bottom to make cleaning a breeze.
($5, MAM ULTIvent 5 oz. Bottle by Sassy, www.mambabyusa.com)

BornFree
Fed up with spit-up? BornFree’s BPA-free offerings have a specialized air vent system designed to minimize those little spit-ups and even cut down on colic. Control the flow with slow-, medium-, fast- or variable-flow nipples.
($18.99, BornFree 2-Pack 5-oz. Wide Neck Bottles, www.toysrus.com)

Green to Grow
Made from PES plastic, these bottles have a golden tint but are still green-minded. Started by a husband and wife who wanted to offer safe, quality baby products, Green to Grow actually launched with a line of BPA-free plastic bottles. Bottles come in 5- or 10-oz. sizes and your choice of regular or wide neck. The 100 percent recycled packaging is an added eco-bonus.
($9.99, Green to Grow BPA-Free Baby Bottle 5 oz. Wide Neck, www.greentogrow.com)

Wee•go Glass Bottles
The glass is definitely half full with these cute glass bottles. Babylife’s wee•go bottles come in six vibrant hues and are dishwasher safe. The colorful silicone sleeves help protect the bottles from breakage.
($18, Babylife 9 oz. wee•go Bottle, www.shopbabylife.com)

Personal preference may dictate the shape of your ideal baby bottle. In addition to the traditional straight variety, there are angled bottles with a 45-degree bend so it’s easier to feed in an upright position, and there are systems that require the use of a disposable, plastic liner that fits inside the bottle. Disposable liners used with plastic bottles can potentially leak, so Dr. Greene recommends “choosing a bottle that is BPA-free instead of relying on liners.”

There are also several choices when it comes to nipples. Silicone nipples tend to last longer than their rubber counterparts and are not as likely to crack. Nipples made from latex are more flexible but don’t have the same staying power, and some infants may have a sensitivity to latex. Shapes range from flat-topped (most equated with the shape of a breast) to orthodontic (features a bulb that rests flat against your baby’s tongue). Flow speeds and sizes vary as well, so you may need to try out a few before you find the perfect fit. Replace nipples whenever formula or breast milk pours out in a stream instead of a steady drip.

Now you have the basic outline for putting together the right baby bottle. It may take some time and effort, but your baby will let you know when you’ve solved the puzzle.

—Morgan C. Schimminger

Morgan C. Schimminger is a fashion, entertainment and lifestyle writer currently living just outside Washington, D.C.