As parents, we make decisions every day to keep our children safe and healthy. We use eating and drinking aids such as sippy cups to help them develop. But, most parents don’t know the dangers sippy cups can pose to their child’s health; these baby-friendly cups may not be quite as friendly as parents would like.

Moldy Sippy Cups are More Than Just Gross

Mold is certainly not something you want your child exposed to, particularly on a chronic basis. Headaches, immune system disturbances, gastrointestinal problems and fatigue are just some of the health issues linked to mold exposure. Plus, children are particularly susceptible to mold allergies. It’s easy to understand why the potential for moldy sippy cups strikes a nerve with so many parents, as they’re trying to shield their children from unnecessary and avoidable harms in the first place.

Bisphenol-A and Other Chemicals

For several years now, moms have been making the choice they thought was best for their little ones: steering clear of bisphenol-A (otherwise known as BPA). BPA is the toxic substance in plastic that may mess with the endocrine system, disrupting hormones and causing a variety of short and long-term health concerns for our children including asthma, cancer, and ADHD. However, recent studies show that those “BPA-Free” bottles are not nearly as safe as we thought. Researchers tested 50 reusable BPA-free plastic containers and found that some products leached hormone-altering chemicals even before being subject to the heat of the dishwasher or microwave. On top of that, more than three-quarters of the containers tested released synthetic estrogens.

Combat the Chemicals

Although these baby-friendly products may not be as friendly as parents would like, there are many ways to move away from the dangers. First, use sippy cup models in which you can see all the parts and clean them with soapy water after each use. Also, be sure to let all the components dry fully before storing. When children use the no-spill bottles equipped with a valve and filter, it can trap liquids inside making it a great environment for mold to grow. Second, BPA-free cups and containers are notorious for concealing other lesser-known chemicals. A few containers to avoid would be the AVENT Baby Bottle and Weil Sippy Cups, as they seem to contain more chemicals than just BPA.

Additional resource: The Hidden Dangers of Baby Bottles, Pacifiers and Sippy Cups