Glass Vs Plastic Baby Bottles: Making The Right Choice For Your Little One
Written by Irina Webb
When I was a baby, I’m pretty much sure my mom used a glass baby bottle to feed me. We just didn’t have much plastic back then. Growing up, I saw little brothers and sisters of my classmates who also ate their milk or formula from glass baby bottles. Everybody had the same type of bottle – not much variety there. And it was fine.
Baby bottles were not on my radar until I had my own baby. I believe many of you can relate that when you are about to bring a new person into this world, you start questioning everything. Understandably, you don’t want to harm the baby and want to make it as safe and secure as you can. Thus, I spent hours looking for the safest baby shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, jammies, mattress – you name it! But what about baby bottles – does the material they are made from matter? In this post, you will learn about the differences between glass and plastic baby bottles as well as their pros and cons and potential health effects. This will help you make an informed choice for your little one’s feeding journey.
Glass Vs Plastic Baby Bottles
To begin with, in its Guidance for Food Contact Substances in contact with infant formula and/or breast milk, the FDA underscores the reason for the importance of testing baby food packaging materials.
Specifically, the difference in the metabolic capacity of infants and their rapid growth during the first 6 months can result in increased susceptibility to the toxicity of chemicals that may initiate chronic disease and increase body fat. Because baby bottles are intended for repeated use, the FDA recommends manufacturers test their bottles at different temperatures and conditions. This is to ensure their safety as far as toxic substances migrating from the bottle materials into the baby food are concerned.
When it comes to types of baby bottles, glass and plastic stand out as the most common materials. I started feeding my son with a plastic baby bottle because I hadn’t done much research into that plastic yet. However, very soon, we switched to glass baby bottles. I even found a way to attach a glass bottle to my breast milk pump that came with plastic bottles. They felt a little heavy, but it was worth it. And here is why.
Glass Baby Bottles
Nowadays, glass baby bottles, once a staple in every nursery, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Crafted from durable materials, these bottles come in various styles and designs to suit different preferences.
Importantly, one of the key reasons a glass type of bottle is good for your baby is that glass is safe. Indeed, it is generally completely inert, non-reactive, and non-leaching, meaning it does not leach chemicals into the milk or formula. Also, it is impermeable to liquids and gases. Hence, these qualities make it safe for food and drink usage at both low and high temperatures.
True, there are exceptions, as certain types of glass may have toxic lead or cadmium in them. We are talking crystal (aka “lead glass”) and colored or enameled glass. However, there is no need to worry because manufacturers do not use these types of glass for baby bottles. (Learn more about glass in my post Lead Free Glassware Brands.)
Pros And Cons Of Glass Baby Bottles
On the one hand, glass baby bottles have a number of positives. For instance, they are sturdy, durable, can be boiled for a deep clean, and are not easily scratched (which prevents the growth of bacteria). Besides, glass is environmentally friendly because it can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality. Most importantly, there is no need to worry about chemicals leaching into the milk or formula. This is also true about water; hence, the safest water bottles are those made of glass.
On the other hand, there are negatives, too. Thus, glass baby bottles are heavier than plastic bottles. Plus, they may shatter if you drop them, which makes them less convenient for use on the go. To reduce the risk, however, you can use silicone sleeves on your baby bottles.
Pros
- Free of potentially harmful chemicals.
- Resistant to high temperatures.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Easy to sterilize (normally, before the first use).
- Easy to clean with soapy water and bottle brush.
- Environmentally friendly.
Cons
- Prone to breakage.
- Call for careful handling.
- Heavier than plastic bottles.
- Less convenient for travel.
Plastic Baby Bottles
Due to their convenience, plastic baby bottles gained popularity in the market. However, growing concerns about potential health risks due to chemical leaching have led many parents to reconsider their usage.
To clarify, the most common raw materials for plastic are crude oil and natural gas. During the final stages of processing, manufacturers often use chemical additives to create specific textures, colors, clarity, heat, durability, light resistance, and flexibility. The bad news is that many of these additives are toxic and are free to leach out under certain conditions, such as heat, dishwashing, microwaving, and contact with fatty or acidic foods.
You might have heard that the biggest offender in plastic, particularly in polycarbonate resins, is bisphenol-A (BPA). It is responsible for multiple health issues, including endocrine disruption and cancer. You may also know that in 2012, in response to a food additive petition, the FDA took action to abandon the use of polycarbonate resins in baby bottles and sippy cups. Therefore, you might think that “BPA-free” plastic bottles are good to go. I beg to differ.
It is important to understand that a “BPA-free” claim means that the BPA was replaced with another additive, possibly BPS or BPF that are not necessarily safer. This 2015 review concluded that “BPS and BPF are as hormonally active as BPA. And they have endocrine-disrupting effects.”
Additionally, this study revealed that almost all sampled commercially available plastic products advertised as BPA-free, including baby bottles, leached chemicals having estrogenic activity.
Pros And Cons Of Plastic Baby Bottles
Just like glass baby bottles, plastic baby bottles have certain positive features. Thus, they gained popularity due to their affordability, lightweight nature, and shatter-proof construction. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and designs, which may be attractive to your baby. And they are more convenient for traveling.
Nevertheless, there are some concerns about plastic that make it a less than favorable material for your baby bottle. Indeed, it is prone to scratches, which can harbor bacteria even after cleaning. Plus, plastic is not environmentally friendly due to limited recyclability. Most importantly, even BPA-free plastic bottles may leach chemicals with estrogenic activities and have endocrine disrupting effects on the user. This is also true about plastic water bottles.
Pros
- Durable.
- Lightweight.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Easy to clean with soapy water and bottle brush.
- Convenient for on-the-go feeding.
- Available in a wide range of styles and colors to suit individual preferences.
Cons
- May leach potentially harmful chemicals causing health concerns.
- Easily scratchable, which may lead to bacteria growth.
- Not environmentally friendly.
Summary: Are Glass Baby Bottles Better Than Plastic?
While Both Glass And Plastic Types Of Baby Bottles Have Their Pros And Cons, Glass Baby Bottles Seem To Be Safer Because Glass Does Not Leach Potentially Toxic Chemicals Into Baby Food.
To sum up, in the ongoing debate between glass and plastic baby bottles, safety should take center stage. In my opinion, for parents who seek peace of mind, the preferred choice is glass baby bottles because there is no need to worry about chemicals leaching into baby food. Additionally, their durability and ease of cleaning also make them a practical option for busy households.
Conversely, considering the potential health risks associated with plastic, opting out of plastic baby bottles seems to be the right decision. To compromise, you could use BPA-free plastic baby bottles, silicone bottles or even stainless-steel baby bottles for traveling and prioritize glass baby bottles for home use.
Now, what about you – what type of bottle do you prefer? What factors influence your choice of baby bottles and sippy cups? Please, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
For further insights into safe baby products and to empower yourself to provide the best possible start for your little one, take advantage of the following:
Browse the I Read Labels For You blog for free information on safe products and ingredients. Also, check out my non-toxic products shop, download my e-books, and book a service with me for help with healthy living.
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