Before becoming a parent, you might not have paid much attention to how much plastic you use. But once you have a baby, it’s hard to ignore the huge amount of plastic that fills your home. From colorful toys and baby seats to tiny bowls, sippy cups, and spoons, the list goes on and on! But the big question is: is all this plastic safe? Here’s a handy guide to help you know which plastics your family should try to avoid.
Are plastics dangerous for babies?
Will your child get seriously sick just because they have a plastic dump truck? No, not really. But it’s important to know that being around certain plastics a lot can be harmful. Some chemicals in plastics, like phthalates and bisphenols, are already banned in baby products because they can pose risks, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Here’s a quick look at these two potentially harmful chemicals:
- Phthalates: These chemicals can mess with hormones, which can affect things like male genital development, childhood obesity, and heart health. That’s why the Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned some phthalates in baby products, like teething rings and rubber duckies.
- Bisphenols, like BPA: BPA can mimic estrogen in the body, which might change puberty timing, lower fertility, increase body fat, and impact the nervous and immune systems. Because of these risks, BPA has been banned in baby bottles and sippy cups.
There’s also strong research showing that being exposed to phthalates and bisphenols during pregnancy can be harmful. A recent study involving 6,000 pregnant people in the U.S. found that those exposed to multiple phthalates had a higher risk of preterm birth, which can lead to complications for both the parent and baby. Plus, a 2019 study suggested that high levels of phthalates in the womb might be linked to asthma in children.
Are microplastics dangerous for babies?
Microplastics are tiny plastic bits that are less than 5mm in size. These little particles come from bigger plastic items that slowly break down or wear away over time. Unfortunately, microplastics don’t break down easily, so they end up floating around in dust and food—and even make their way into our bodies. A small study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that infants have 10 to 20 times more microplastics (specifically PET or polyethylene terephthalate) in their poop than adults. We still don’t know a lot about how microplastics impact kids, but experts say it’s really important to help limit children’s exposure to these tiny plastics.
How to Avoid Potentially Harmful Plastics
The good news is that chemicals in plastics, like phthalates and bisphenols, don’t stay in your body for long. They usually leave your system in about 5.5 to 12 hours. This means it’s never too late to make positive changes in how much plastic you use. Here are some easy steps you can take to reduce your family’s exposure to phthalates, bisphenols, microplastics, and more.
Reduce exposures from toys.
Most parents probably have a bit of a love-hate relationship with plastic toys. We love seeing our kids have fun, but we can’t stand how our living rooms are overflowing with all those noisy, flashing toys! Now, there’s another reason to be concerned about some of these toys. While certain phthalates in soft plastic toys were banned in 2008 and more in 2018, a global study in the journal Environment International found over 100 “chemicals of concern” in kids’ toys. The main culprits were volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which quickly release into the air and smell like plastic, and plasticizers that can leak chemicals for up to 15 years (yikes!).
But don’t worry—you don’t have to toss out all your child’s favorite plastic toys! Instead, try to limit your toy collection and follow these simple tips:
- Store any unused plastic toys away from your child to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Consider using wooden or silicone toys, especially for little ones aged 6 months to a year who like to put everything in their mouths.
- If a toy smells like plastic when your child opens it, take it out of rotation until the smell goes away. If that’s difficult, limit playtime with it at first and try to air it out.
- Make sure to regularly ventilate the playroom or whatever space your child plays in the most.
Swap plastic for stainless steel.
Stainless steel sippy cups and straw cups have become must-haves in kindergarten cubbies and backpacks for good reasons! One big reason is that they help reduce your child’s exposure to microplastics. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Chemistry found that water from plastic bottles had about double the amount of microplastics compared to tap water.
Worried about microplastics in your tap water? You can use a home filtration system, like the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher, to remove them before filling up your child’s reusable metal water bottle. (And don’t forget to check how much water your child should be drinking!)
Store and heat meals in glass containers.
Microwaving plastic containers, putting them in the dishwasher, and even storing warm leftovers in them isn’t the best idea. These everyday actions can increase the chances of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates leaching into your food. A 2022 report even found that millions of micro- and nanoplastics can be released from plastic food packaging when exposed to high temperatures.
So, if you’re heating up some homemade mac ‘n cheese for your little one, it’s better to use the stovetop or a glass container in the microwave. And if you’re not a fan of hand-washing dishes, consider switching to glass! By the way, plastic food containers labeled “biobased” or “greenware” are generally safe for storing food, according to the AAP. Just be careful with those that have recycling codes 3 (phthalates), 6 (styrene), and 7 (bisphenols)—those are best avoided.
Prepare infant formula this way.
Here’s some good news: BPA is no longer used in baby formula packaging! However, there’s a bit of a downside. When you prepare infant formula with hot water in a plastic bottle, it can cause micro- and nanoplastics to flake off into your baby’s milk.
Researchers found that when they filled plastic baby bottles with room-temperature water and shook them for about 60 seconds, they released hundreds of thousands of microplastics. But when they heated the water to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, the bottles let out anywhere from 1 million to 16 million particles per liter, plus trillions of nanoplastics. While we still don’t know how these microplastics affect health, here are some tips to help limit exposure:
- Let plastic bottles cool completely after you sterilize them in hot water.
- Rinse the bottles at least three times with room-temperature water.
- Prepare powdered formula in a glass container as directed.
- Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to a plastic baby bottle for feeding.
- Consider using glass bottles instead.
And remember, never microwave a bottle filled with formula or breast milk! (You can find more tips on preparing and storing baby formula.)
Also Read: 14 Best Eco-Friendly Toys for Kids
Limit package foods.
Store-bought snacks are super convenient when you need something quick to toss in your diaper bag or your kid’s lunchbox, but they’re not always the healthiest choice. Experts say it’s best to avoid them or save them for special occasions. One big reason is that the more processed or packaged a food is, the more likely it is to contain harmful chemicals, according to Consumer Reports. A 2019 study published in Environment International found that people who eat more fresh foods and fewer processed ones have lower levels of phthalates (chemicals found in plastics) in their bodies. To cut back, try focusing on fresh, whole foods, and when buying packaged goods, read the labels carefully. For example, if you’re grabbing canned beans or pineapple, look for BPA-free cans or products packed in glass.
When it comes to personal care products, go for fragrance-free soaps, shampoos, and lotions. Phthalates, especially diethyl phthalate (DEP), are often used in scented products, and their concentration can increase over time. The FDA says DEP doesn’t pose any known health risks, but many experts still recommend using fewer phthalate-containing products on your baby. Be cautious when shopping—just because a lotion is labeled “phthalate-free” doesn’t mean it’s free from all phthalates, especially if it lists “fragrance” on the label. U.S. regulations don’t require the full list of fragrance ingredients to be disclosed.
Finally, while it’s not the most fun task, vacuuming and dusting regularly can help reduce the amount of microplastics your family is exposed to. Microplastics, including phthalates, can accumulate in household dust, especially from things like vinyl flooring and wallpaper. A 2021 Australian study found that 39% of the dust in homes was made up of microplastics, and homes with carpets had almost double the amount of microplastics compared to those with non-carpeted floors. Kids who crawl and play on the floor are likely exposed to the most plastic-filled dust. To minimize this, experts recommend vacuuming with a HEPA filter, which is better at trapping dust.
