Feeding using a bottle

Glass bottles

Glass bottles have the advantage of being clear so the milk inside can be seen and they are easy to clean and sterilise and are much harder to scratch.

However they are heavy and may smash.

Plastic bottles

Clear shatter proof plastic bottles have become more popular because they are less likely to create the dangers of shattered glass. 

Plastic bottles and Bisphenol A

Bottles made of polycarbonate plastic, which often have the number 7 in the recycling triangle on the bottle, or the letters “PC” near the recycling triangle have now been shown to leach Bisphenol A into the liquid in the bottle.

Heating bottles or pouring hot liquids into bottles, and repeated washing which creates scratches increases the rate of Bisphenol A leaching from bottles. 

This is a chemical which causes damage to animals and probably humans during critical stages of their development. It interferes with healthy growth and body function. Bisphenol A mimics the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body It binds with oestrogen receptors but doesn’t replace the activity of oestrogen. It affects reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to hormone mimicking effects because they are growing rapidly, both in the womb and in their early months and years.

There are plastic bottles on the market that do not contain Bisphenol A. Glass bottles do not leach Bisphenol A.

NCT sales sells products for expressing or storing breastmilk that do not leach Bisphenol A .

Some toys use polycarbonate plastic and you may prefer to choose wooden alternatives.

The linings of food cans also often contain Bisphenol A leaching plastics and you may prefer to prepare baby food from fresh ingredients or to use food sold in glass jars.

Correct preparation of formula

To make up formula safely, milk feeds should be made up with water at 70^oC. This is because formula powder is not sterile and may contain harmful bacteria.

If you would like to know how to prepare formula safely, please refer to NCT Information Sheet on Using infant formula, which is also available to buy from NCT Sales.

Alternatives to feeding with a bottle

For babies from about 4 months a sippy cup or baby cup can be used for occasional feeds rather than a body.  From 6 months most babies will be happy to use a cup for most daytime milk feeds.

For very young babies especially where you do not want to interfere with the possibility of breastfeeding or for occasional use of expressed breastmilk or formula there are non polycarbonate feeding cups available. 

If you would like further information about when to introduce solids to your baby, please refer to NCT Information Sheet on the subject.