Bisphenol-A or BPA is an organic compound used to harden polycarbonate plastics.  It is an endocrine disruptor which can mimic the body’s hormones and has been linked to, among other things, obesity, breast cancer and adverse effects on the thyroid.  BPA has been found in many brands of baby bottles and it is now coming to light that many canned goods contain BPA in the epoxy liners which is leaching into cans.  The Environmental Working Group just posted a report that 9 out of 10 cord blood tests of minority babies contained BPA.  What’s even scarier is that 231 additional chemicals where found.

So where do we start?  A very easy change can be switching baby bottles to non-toxic materials.  Even if a baby is breastfed, she can still spend a lot of time with bottles if Mom is pumping.  Glass is a good alternative, and there are a lot of companies making some really great designs.  My favorites are momo baby and Life Factory (WeeGo).  Some parents are afraid their baby may drop the bottle and shatter it.  Glass can get quite heavy, especially when a 9 ounce bottle is full of liquid.  There are other plastics available that work really well.  Polyethersulfone (PES) and Polypropylene (PP) are safe alternatives that don’t leach BPA.  Zrecs posted a great article on the many different brands of bottles that are now using safer plastics.  Companies like Dr. Brown’s, BornFree and Medela are all great companies to invest in.

You can always visit Squeaky Clean Tot and search for BPA free and glass bottles.  We are constantly updating our database and have all the brands you know and trust along with some smaller companies who are making non-toxic products for your tots.

Giveaway Closed

Helen is our winner!

I have purchased a lot of Nuby gear for Matilda over the last year and a half.  I really like their sippy cups and Matilda has gnawed happily on quite a few of their teethers.  Nuby also has a line called “Natural Touch”.   These products have been designed with natural feeding in mind and helps ease the transitions between breast and bottle feeding. You will find breast pumps, bottles, sterilizers, bottle racks, pacifiers and teethers.  All of Nuby’s products are BPA free so you can feel secure knowing your tot is safe.

Nuby has generously donated a newborn pack for our grand prize winner in our blog launch giveaway.  Included is the Natural Touch soft flex Silicone Nurser for 0m+.  This bottle is made of silicone which allows the feeder to assist by gently squeezing the bottle.  There is an anti-colic valve in the nipple, which reduces the amount of air your baby ingests.  The nipple resembles the breast so it allows the baby to latch on easier as it stretches and moves. Also included is a Silicone First Teether, which is textured to help soothe baby’s gums.  It also encourages the natural action of chewing, an important skill to begin developing as a newborn. The final item in this giveaway is a pack of 2 softflex pacifiers.  These pacifiers have a natural flexing aciton which imitates the mother’s nipple during feeding.  Nuby has developed the Hygenic Air System which allows air to circulate freely underneath the pacifier, reducing skin irriations.  There are nubs on the pacifier which help to soothe irritated gums.

Two runner-up prizes will also be given away and each winner will receive  two (2) personalized Squeaky Clean Tot  luggage tags for their little tot (see image below).

The winners will be notified via email, so please make sure your email address is correct in the comment form below.

The Giveaway ends on December 12, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. PST.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email, so please make sure your email is correct when commenting.

Mandatory Entry

• Visit Nuby’s site and comment here on a product that catches your eye.  (I love their modern designs and bright colors, so in addition to browsing the Natural Touch line, don’t forget to check out their sippy cups, toys, and teethers.)

Additional Entries

• Write a review for a safe, non-toxic product you have tried at Squeaky Clean Tot.  Please see the How Do I page for assistance in writing a review.  DON’T FORGET TO SELECT THE STARS FOR YOUR RATING. (1 review = 1 entry)
• Follow Squeaky Clean Tot on Twitter (1 entry)
• Tweet the following (1 tweet per day = 1 entry) @squeakycleantot Blog Launch Giveaway: Nuby Natural Touch Bottle, softflex teether & pacifiers  http://bit.ly/6rFBgf #Giveaway
• Subscribe to our feed or sign up via email (1 entry)

When I launched my parent review site, Squeaky Clean Tot, in October of 2009, I knew I wanted to do more.  Over 900 non-toxic baby and toddler products in 45 categories was not enough.  In all the research I do, I come across some amazing companies doing really good work.  They need to be recognized.  I also come across some really nasty chemicals that are used in many baby products.  These also need to have the spotlight pointed at them.  This was my motivation behind starting Squeaky Clean Blog.

I want to do my part in this amazing movement I see happening all around me.  Parents are beginning to realize that even though a company has been around for 40 years, they may not have your baby’s safety at the top of their priority list.  They are starting to read ingredients and are questioning the ones they can’t pronounce.  Dermatitis and eczema may be curable with a simple change in bubble bath or cleaning product and they are being introduced to sites like Cosmetics Database, an amazing resource where we can find the toxicity level in all sorts of personal care products.

Our voices and demands can push this movement forward.  I will share with you all the interesting information I find, good and bad.  I hope you enjoy this blog and come back often or subscribe to my feed.  And if you would like to leave any reviews, please head over to Squeaky Clean Tot and let your voice be heard.