Are you sure that your baby is safe using their bottle? Beware ! Recent study shows that almost all baby bottle sold in the markets contain Bisphenol-A.

Bisphenol-A, also called BPA, is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic, the key ingredient in clear, shiny baby bottles and many other plastic products. When exposed to heat or stress, Bisphenol-A (BPA) can leach out of the plastic baby bottle and into the formula it contains.

Lab tests prove that when these bottles are heated, as many parents do to warm formula or breast milk, potentially dangerous levels of BPA leak into the liquid. While industry leaders continue to defend the use of BPA, environmental experts question the possible link between BPA and early puberty, and possibly autism. Research indicates that at very low levels, BPA has the potential to disrupt the normal functioning of hormones, cause hyperactivity, impair learning, affect the onset of puberty, and lead to other health problems.

As a parent, there is nothing more precious to you than your children. Make sure to protect your little one by switching from polycarbonate bottles to safer alternatives like glass baby bottles and non-polycarbonate plastics.

An easy way to check to see if you are using a polycarbonate plastic bottle is to look at the bottom of the bottle. There will be a triangular recycle symbol with a number if the middle of it. If that number is 7 then you are using a polycarbonate bottle.

Although we can’t protect our children from everything, we certainly can take baby steps in the right direction.

These are some recommendation to reduce exposure to BPA:

• Learn to identify polycarbonate plastic containers so you can avoid them. They are generally clear and rigid, and may have the recycling symbol 7 marked on the bottom.

• Select bottles made of tempered glass or polyethylene or polypropylene (recycling symbols 1, 2 or 5), which do not leach chemicals into formula or breast milk. Use glass or polypropylene bottles (the #5 plastic) instead of polycarbonate, which is hard, shiny, clear or tinted plastic.

• Avoid heating breast milk and infant formula over the stove or in the microwave in plastic; dangerous chemicals are more likely to leach when you heat in plastic. Instead, use glass or ceramic containers.

• To avoid bacteria, look for scratches in plastic bottles.

• Avoid plastic bottles that have decorations printed on the inside. These can come off into formula when it’s been heated.

• To avoid shards of glass ending up inside the bottle, glass bottles with cracks and chips should be discarded immediately.

• Avoid disposable nursers if possible, as the plastic bags may leak or burst. There have also been incidents of babies choking on the plastic tab inside.

• Do not use harsh detergents on polycarbonate bottles, or put bottles in the dishwasher. Use warm soapy water and a sponge.

• Cut consumption of canned foods and beverages to reduce exposure to BPA from the interior coating of the container.