In Search of the Safest Sippy

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As concern about toxic chemicals leaching from plastic baby products mounts, parents are examining everything that goes into the mouths of their babes. The reason for alarm: a recent report suggesting that significant (read dangerous) levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) can be found not only in baby bottles, but many other beverage containers. The report links BPA with genital abnormality, breast cancer, and obesity. Canada, in fact, just declared the chemical toxic.

Infants and young children, with their developing reproductive systems, are particularly susceptible to BPA exposure. “BPA does have an estrogenic influence, and it’s not wise to expose infants to chemicals that may alter their hormones,” says David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and Environment at the University of Albany in New York.

Why take the risk when you can sip pretty with a BPA-free cup? One tip: Avoid cups with a No. 7 recycling code. For more info go to www.chej.org/BPA_Website.htm.

Here’s a roundup of our favorite, BPA-free sippy cups:

Klean Kanteen: (12 oz, $17.95; kleankanteen.com ) Stainless steel and polypropylene cap. Excellent for purists. The Safe Sippy: (11 oz, $14.95; thesafesippy.com) Stainless steel; polypropylene cap. The rubber outer sleeve prevents denting and also provides insulation.

BornFree Training Cup: (7 oz, $9.99; newbornfree.com ) Made from polypropylene, this cup has a special spout to ease the transition from bottle to cup.

Thinkbaby trainer cup: (9 oz, $8.99; thinkbabybottles.com ) Made from polyether sulfone (PES), a high-quality, medical-grade plastic, the cup and packaging are specifically tested for phthalates, PVC, and lead, as well as BPA.

For four more safe sippy cups, go to www.naturalsolutionsmag.com .

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