Why It’s Important to Choose BPA-Free Products October 20, 2015 15:46

As you start purchasing bottles and a breast pump in Seattle, you’ll notice that the Medela and Ameda products that we sell are labelled as being BPA free. What does this mean? Is this important to know? Should you only choose products that don’t contain any BPA?

BPA stands for Bisphenol A, which is an industrial chemical that companies use to create plastics or line cans and other products. Unfortunately, this chemical can lead to many negative health effects. Because of this, countries like Canada and Japan have banned BPA entirely. Some states have also passed legislation to ban products that contain this chemical. Here are some of the health effects that can occur to a fetus, infant, or child:

  • Stunted brain development
  • Behavioral problems in toddlers, such as hyperactivity or attention deficits
  • Increased risk of obesity
  • More likely to have asthma
  • Stunted ovarian development in females

When using products that contain BPA when you’re pregnant or with young children, you can set them at risk for any of these problems. For this reason, it’s important to refrain from using the products. But BPA can also have negative consequences for adolescents and adults, such as the following:

  • More likely to have diabetes
  • Increased risk of heart disease
  • Thyroid problems
  • Prostate gland problems
  • Increased risk of breast or prostate cancer
  • Increased levels of liver enzymes
  • Miscarriages
  • Reproductive problems for males

The countries and states that have worked to ban this chemical have replaced it with a safer substitute, such as vinyl, polyester resin, acrylic, or modified polyester. As you’re looking for any products, such as baby bottles or a pump, you need to choose BPA-free products to protect yourself and your child from the harmful effects that come from exposing yourself to this chemical. Do your research to make sure that you’re choosing products that are safe for everyone to use. All of the breast pump products we carry OurPerfectBaby.com are free of BPA and completely safe for you and your baby.