Finally, there is the potential hazard for children to become ill as a result of contaminated lidded cups. Unless great care is taken to clean bottles and cups, an unsuspecting child may find a lost cup, hours or even days after it was used. If the child then sucks on this drink there is a high chance it will be contaminated.

In her recent survey, Ms Adams, a news reporter in Louisville, USA, found that infant lidded cups tested at laboratories, were teeming with bacterial growth (Eig 2002). This may seem extreme but should be a cautionary tale for any parent.

What Material?

What materials are used in the manufacturing process of plastic cups? Are they safe? Most commercially available bottles and cups are made from polycarbonate. When heated there is the potential for migration of the chemical Bisphenol-A (this is a chemical softener) from the container into the contents. This is less likely to occur when a bottle or cup is new, but old or scratched containers may be more likely to leach. The levels of this hormone-like substance found under test conditions are very small, but as babies’ immature systems are more sensitive to chemicals, there is no safe limit. It is therefore prudent to keep any exposure to an absolute minimum. It may be wise to rinse thoroughly any container that has been unused for a period of time, with plain water, to aid the removal of any residues that may be present.

Safe alternatives

It may be advisable to opt for bottles or cups that are made from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethersulfone or glass. Advice to mothers, if they are not sure what material a bottle or cup is made from, should be to avoid abrasive scrubbing and to change them every six months. Also, old bottles from a previous baby should not be kept. They may have deteriorated with age.

In the UK, a company recently launched a new design of cup called the ‘Doidy’ cup. This is manufactured from high density food grade polyethylene, and conforms to current EN14350 regulations. It has also been tested by two independent laboratories. The open slanted rim (see picture) allows the contents to be seen but not spilled and the two handed design makes the cup easy to hold.

Feeding bowls and utensils are also likely to be made from plastic. So, once again, parents should check the materials these are made from and if they are not listed, the manufacturer should be asked for the information. Ceramic plates and cups are a good alternative to plastic ones. They are perfectly safe and can withstand the microwave and dishwasher and ranges of ceramic bowls are becoming more available.

© Sharon Trotter

© Tips Limited

To view cups and other products visit www.medela.co.uk

This article can also been seen at MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 16:3 2006