Recently I was having a conversation with someone about sippy cups and they told me that their grandchildren only use stainless steel sippy cups. This idea seemed strange to me at the time. I went home and did some research and found out about the controversy over BPA (Bisphenol A).

I was shocked to learn that even at low and short-term doses BPA is linked to breast cancer, prostate disease and cancer, compromised immune system, miscarriage, impaired female reproductive development, sperm defects, Down’s syndrome, reversal of normal sex differences in the brain structure, increased aggression… and that is only some of the potential side effects.

So I know what BPA is and I know that it can be dangerous, my next question; how can I avoid the negative side effects? Bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate and can be found in baby bottles, baby formula containers, sports water bottles, baby food jars and plastic containers, and other plastic products. After a certain amount of being washed or exposed to heat the chemical can ‘leach’ from the product and contaminate your food or drink (such as breastmilk or formula).

A lot of baby bottles and sippy cups now have a label that lets you know whether that product is BPA free. If the product you are considering doesn’t make it clear then you can check the recycling label for plastic #7 (which DOES contain BPA).

Using stainless steel sippy cups doesn’t seem like such a strange idea to me after all.