Baby bottles shedding plastic particles? Here's how to avoid it - BabyCenter

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What researchers found

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin tested 10 baby bottles made from a very common plastic called polyprophylene. Most baby bottles as well as many food storage containers are made from this plastic. The scientists prepared infant formula in the baby bottles according to standard guidelines, sterilizing the bottles first with very hot water and then shaking formula powder and warm water together in the bottles.

The bottles released millions of tiny plastic particles into the formula, and trillions of particles smaller than a human hair, according to the findings published in the journal Nature Food. More importantly, the more heat used, the greater the release of particles. Shaking also increased the release of particles. The researchers estimated that formula-fed babies in the United States, Europe and Australia – where bottle feeding rates are high – likely ingest an average of 2 million plastic particles a day from formula prepared this way.

How to reduce the risk of plastic particle ingestion

Plastic contamination is a widespread problem throughout the world, and research shows humans are routinely ingesting plastic particles from food, water, and the environment. This new study shows the problem is more widespread in baby bottles than previously known. The good news is, when it comes to feeding babies formula, changing how you prepare the bottle can drastically reduce the number of plastic particles that get into the mixture, researchers said.

Here are their recommendations.

STERILIZE, COOL AND RINSE: After sterilizing a plastic baby bottle, let it cool. Use sterilized water to rinse out the bottle at least three times. (To sterilize water, boil it in a non-plastic kettle or pot. Allow it to cool to room temperature before using it to rinse out the bottle). See our detailed article for more information on when and how to clean and sanitize baby bottles.

1. MAKE FORMULA IN A NON-PLASTIC CONTAINER. Once it cools to room temperature, transfer it to the plastic baby bottle.
2. DON’T SHAKE the formula when it’s in the plastic bottle.
3. DON’T REHEAT formula in a plastic bottle or container.

Alternatively, you can use glass or stainless steel baby bottles.

We don’t know what kind of impact – if any – microplastic ingestion has on our health, particularly the health of babies. But scientists worry it could have potentially toxic effects. More studies are definitely needed.

The study authors said work must also be done to develop new plastics that don’t leach particles. Find out more about formula feeding, bottle-feeding basics and plastic safety.

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Baby bottles shedding plastic particles? Here's how to avoid it - BabyCenter
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