Breaking News: We just got off the phone with Scott Rhodes, a representative from Handi-Craft, the company behind Dr. Brown's bottles. We discussed Bisphenol-A and polycarbonates in Dr. Brown's bottles (the bottles themselves are made of BPA-containing polycarbonate, but all internal parts, including the highly-regarded two-piece vent, are made of polypropylene) and he was very interested in arguing with us about the safety of the materials they use.
Once we were able to get past our disagreement about the state of the science and what it means for concerned parents (he repeatedly referred to the current concerns about BPA as a "scare tactic" to sell alternative-plastic bottles), I asked him if Handi-Craft had considered making a non-polycarbonate bottle for those consumers who demanded an alternative. He stated that Handi-Craft would "never" abandon polycarbonate bottles but that the company intends to begin production on a line of Dr. Brown's glass bottles that will be on the market within three to four months. The line will use the same (non-PC) venting system as existing Dr. Brown's bottles.
I told Scott about the many loyal Dr. Brown's customers who had decided to try alternative bottle brands due to the polycarbonate issue. He remained convinced that anyone looking at "the research" would determine that there was no reason to shy away from BPA even when alternatives were readily available, and I welcomed him to comment on either of our existing reports (bottles, sippys) with whatever links to alternative studies or organizations he would like to share. Look for comments from him or another Handi-Craft representative soon.
We concluded our conversation amicably, agreeing that while we may disagree on the significance of parents' concerns regarding BPA, we still had a shared role in disseminating information to the public to allow them to make informed choices. I told him that based on the interest we had seen in BPA over the past months, we suspected that Handi-Craft would be quite happy with the success of their new glass bottle line.
I asked him to again confirm the target availability of glass bottles within a three- to four-month window, and he did. I also asked him to confirm that they would continue to produce polycarbonate bottles, and he confirmed this as well. Scott refused to provide me with a job title, stating that Handi-Craft, a small company, was "not big on titles."
Dr. Brown's also makes a toddler cup, which is also made of polycarbonate plastic.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
This Just In: Dr. Brown's To Begin Distributing Vented Glass Bottles In "Three to Four Months"
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19 comments:
I had emailed Dr. Brown's about this issue a few weeks ago, and got a response from Scott Rhodes (no title for me either). In a nutshell, he maintained that BPA was safe, there were scare tactics, etc. Regardless, I had already sold mine on Craigslist -- a shame, because I do think they're amazingly well functioning and the valve is brilliant, but the BPA isn't worth the risk. Glad to hear they're responding to the consumer with the glass bottles!
We used Evenflo glass bottles without incident for our daughter. We'll be using glass again for our second child.
I *just* returned home with my new Gerber Fashion Tints bottles. I had been a loyal Dr. Brown's bottle user, and still want their venting functionality but I also want to mitigate the potential risk of BPA. So, out go the original Dr. Brown's BPA bottles, off come the new Gerber caps/nipples, and on go my original Dr. Brown's vent, cap & nipples. Solved! IF Handi-Craft had already addressed consumers' concerns about BPA by releasing a glass or a non-BPA version of Dr. Brown's bottles, they would have gotten my vote with my dollars. But, since Handi-Craft hasn't yet responded with alternative product choice in the marketplace, Gerber got my vote with my money. I assume Dr. Brown's will quickly see the value in providing consumers an alternative to BPA bottles -- that is if they can get to market quickly enough before consumers find an alternate, non-Dr. Brown's solution. I'm delighted to hear that Handi-Craft will be releasing a glass option. It's about time they (and other companies) stop arguing the merits of the reserach and start responding to consumers' concerns. Marketing 101: Consumer is Boss. Perception is reality.
I have been using Dr.Brown bottles for my 7 month old despite the debate. Now I am convinced and feel so guilty that I didn't switch from the start. I am glad to know that all the Dr. Brown parts fit into the 8oz. evenflow glass bottles. However is the vent have BPA issues? If anyone knows the answer please get back to me.
Thank you!!!
@Anonymous: Both pieces of the vent are polypropylene, and thus BPA-free.
Thank you so much! Have you looked into spoons for babies? Also, what about the plastic containers that Gerber baby food comes in? I feel like this opens a can of worms but I am just trying to be safe. You are amazing with your reporting!
I have bought both glass evenflow and Gerber clear view to use with my Dr. Brown's. However, they don't work well together. I saw that someone wrote about them fitting on Fashion Tints. Is this true? I am getting frustrated buying all these different types. I would like to keep the Dr.Brown nipples and vents. Can anyone help??
Thank you for this information! I became a Dr. Brown's believer when my first born had gas and bloating problems from the start. These bottles were the only ones that actually made a difference in his after-bottle discomfort, and the difference was immediate, so I stocked up.
I'm now due with our second child in January 2008, and I am concerned enough about BPA to replace all our existing Dr. Brown's bottles with glass. If there were no glass Dr. Brown's alternative, I would switch brands. That is how concerned I am about BPA. I'm not taking the chance now that I know about BPA and can make an informed decision. I'm glad to hear about the glass alternative because I don't want to use another brand besides Dr. Brown's.
But I think Scott Rhodes is in a bit of denial if he thinks that parents are going to keep using the plastic with even the chance of chemical leaching when it comes to feeding their infants. We don't have a whole lot of money and I know Dr. Brown's bottles are pricier so why should I buy glass bottles when I already have a whole collection of plastic ones from my first child? But even the threat of a problem with the plastic bottles is enough for me to do further digging and the conclusion I've come to is that, rich or not, I'm going to be using glass the second time around. But rather than waste money finding a glass bottle of another brand that I can Frankenstein with the Dr. Brown's insert, I'll wait for the Dr. Brown's glass line and hope that they hit the market before my baby's born.
I've been able to use the Dr. Brown's "straw," tops and nipples with Gerber clearview bottles. All I had to do was cut the straw (you can use exacto knife, strong kitchen scissors, etc.) about an inch, and then it works fine together. Alternatively, I already had a couple of the smaller Dr. Brown's bottles (4 or 5 oz)with the shorter straws. And those too work with the larger size Gerber clearview bottles.
I agree it is a big shame that Dr. Brown's don't just start making non-BPA bottles.
Has anyone tried the "Born Free" bottles? I've heard they're wonderful and completely safe!
I noticed tht\at Gerber Clearview comes in a pack of 3 and also single bottle packs (Cream packaging).. are both also BPA free as i noticed the single bottle looks clear and not cloudy? they are not the premium gerber though
Isn't anyone concerned over glass bottles breaking and injuring babies? I would think this is a real and obviuous concern that would outweigh a potential concern with shaky science. How many times have you seen a bottle dropped or banged on a hard surface? Scary if you ask me.
I use the Dr. Brown's wide neck bottles. Does anybody know which brand of glass or BPA-free bottles will be compatible with the wide-neck bottles? I want to stop using the BPA Dr. Brown's immediately. Thanks in advance for your responses.
I have been using glass bottles with my now 9 month old since the day he was born and have had no breakages. We use both evenflo glass bottles and Born Free glass bottles. I've even dropped them on our hardwood floors and in our cast iron sink with no issues. They are pretty resilient. And even if they did break, what are the chances that they'll break while you are feeding your child? I'm not exactly sure how they would get injured.
I have used Dr. Brown's since my daughter was born 5 months ago and switched to Born Free bottles b/c I wasn't sure that the inside parts were BPA free (they are). I'm having my husband pick some Dr. Browns glass bottles up today as the Born Free bottles are really messy. Perhaps if I'd started with them, we'd be used to them, but we really love the Dr. Browns. Although we don't like the shape of the Born Free brand, they promote all BPA free products - if you have any concerns with other brands, you can switch to this one and know you're being safe.
We use the Born Free bottles and LOVE them. We've never had a problem with them leaking, except when we forget to put in the valve component.
We've also used Evenflo's glass nursers, and they are really sturdy. However, you aren't supposed to allow children to self-feed wtih them if they are walking/crawling. (If they fall and land on the bottle. . .)
I highly recommend the Born Free bottles even though they are pricey (and we're far from rich!). The starter kits are nice since they come with both 4 oz. and 8 oz. bottles and a sippy cup.
DH and I went to our local Babies R Us to purchase the glass Dr. Brown's bottles, and I wasn't surprised to hear they are out of stock and didn't know when they'd be available.
They did however have in stock Dr. Brown's "BPA FREE" bottles, made of polypropylene.
Wouldn't these be a good alternative, and just as safe as the glass, thus avoiding breaking the glass bottles?
@anonymous: Yes, Dr. Brown's PP bottles are a great option. This post is pretty old and was written before they had announced plans for a polypropylene bottle.
I believe brick-and-mortar Babies 'R Us are the only stores that have them at this time. They appear to have underestimated demand for both new versions of the bottle.
I am in the UK, also using Dr Browns wideneck bottles and want a BPA free bottle. Does anyone know of an alternative bottle that the parts/vent etc will fit?
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