Why, oh why, did I have to go and watch Dr. Oz this afternoon?
He was talking about all of these harmful toxins and chemicals that are found in everyday products, and the effects they can have on our health. One of them is BPA - a nasty chemical found in plastics and the linings of metal cans, which apparently has been linked in animal studies to neurological problems, obesity, diabetes, endocrine system problems (including infertility), and cancer. Lots of baby products are labeled "BPA Free!" I never knew what this meant before. Now I know. And I also know all the other places it quietly lurks - including in the lining of formula cans and the tops of Gerber baby food jars. Curses!
I've been planning on making my own baby food. Time to move up this experiment.
Of course, in the course of doing my research on BPA, I learned about all these other harmful chemicals just waiting to jump out of the nearest teething ring and attack my baby. There's PVC and Phthalates (how is this pronounced, exactly?)...why the hell do companies put these awful things in baby products and toys? I'm afraid to keep reading - pretty soon I'll become paranoid that everything in my house is trying to kill my family.
I've been discovering a whole safe-baby subculture tonight....promoted by sites like The Soft Landing and Safe Mama - they do lots of great articles on what to do instead. Too bad I'm overwhelmed with all the information out there! What I have learned so far is to stop microwaving plastic, to use only plastics with the recycling labels 1, 2, 4, and 5, and to avoid 3, 6, and 7. I've also learned that some bottles labeled BPA-free might actually have BPA in them! Crikey!
Then I find myself a little concerned that these safety-oriented sites may be a little...unscientific. Who can I trust?
I also learned that this is a really funny-looking baby bathtub.
Darn it...I got sucked into reading more just now, and it turns out I shouldn't be giving Baby Rae fluoridated water either! OMG!
I don't really have anything else to say.
----head spinning----
Well, I do buy Sophia drinking cups at the Outpost so they do not have those chemicals. However, I have questions re the floride studies. I do not see any kids with this problem. If this was a great problem, wouldn't we be seeing it more? So many babies drink formula. Well, once B. Rae is one year old, you can switch to whole milk. Problemo solved.
ReplyDeleteOh....good luck with the tub...
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into the fluoride thing a little more. Perhaps some peer reviewed research is in order. I'll report back.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll be buying this tub for B. Rae. It does make me smile tho.