There are two main choices when it comes to bottle fed babies. Parents can choose between plastic and glass bottles. One of the issues that often deter parents from choosing plastic bottles is the degradation of the plastic that occurs over time. This can cause the bottle to not only appear discolored, but also can cause chemicals in the plastic to leech into the liquids that are being placed in the bottle.
What can parents do to avoid the discoloration that can occur in plastic bottles? Discoloration occurs in the bottle because of degradation and excessive washing, as well as excessive use. To reduce the discoloration that occurs through the design of the bottles parents can avoid washing the bottles in the dishwasher. Alternatively, washing the bottle in the sink using hot soapy water can wash the baby bottles just as well but can avoid the discoloration that occurs in the plastic.
Discoloration throughout the plastic bottle can also occur due to other liquids aside from milk and water being placed in the bottle. Different types of juices that are dark in color can cause discoloration in the bottle because of the natural dyes and fruit juices in the bottle. These can be nearly impossible to remove – even with repeated washing of the bottle.
The last way to help avoid discoloration in plastic baby bottles is to reduce the length of time that milk or formula sits in the bottle, rinsing the bottle after each use and ensuring that milk doesn’t remain in the bottle for an extended period of time.
Should parents replace the baby bottle if the plastic has become discolored? Replacing the bottle if it has been discolored is not often necessary. However, if the bottle is discolored and worn down to the point where the plastic is easily scratched or is no longer translucent, parents should replace the baby bottle. Discoloration and degradation can cause the bottle to be susceptible to leech the chemicals into the liquids being placed in the bottle.
Using these guidelines while using plastic bottles can help to reduce the discoloration through the baby bottle, as well as helping the parent to know when the bottle must be replaced.
