Glass vs. Plastic baby bottles

We have access to a lot of great information because the internet is accessible to most, at the touch of our phones. Though sometimes it leaves us wondering what the right decision is, with so many options available to us. 

Recently, I ran into some helpful information on the debate on whether to use plastic or glass bottles for babies. Plastic often comes with labels such as BPA Free, especially baby products that we want to be safe. We already know BPA is bad and we do not want any of that near our babies. But what I learned is that many times the BPA is not the only “bad” we need to consider when choosing plastic especially from what is going to feed our precious babies.

Whether you breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or a combination of all of those, at some point we end up using a bottle for our babies. Now what is it that we need to consider? 

Glass Pros:

The glass they make baby bottles with is extremely sturdy with baby’s safety first in mind. Though it may be a little bit heavier, the exchange is a chemical and toxin free bottle for your baby. Not only will glass not secrete any toxins or chemicals, making it worry free, but also stinky free. The glass, not being porous like plastic, is more hygienic, and won’t pick up smells or stains allowing for the baby to get wonderful taste. The glass is also eco-friendly because it is made of natural material. It is 100% recyclable and long lasting, meaning reusable for as long as you and baby need, limiting your carbon footprint. In addition to longevity, heat will never bend or distort the bottle, and it is easier to clean.

Plastic Pros:

The most notable quality of plastic is that it is lightweight. There is less worry of the baby dropping it on themselves or adding extra weight to the baby bag. Plastic bottles are also much more accessible; they are easy to find and you can get one at most grocery stores, and local retailers. Overall, you won’t have to hunt any plastic bottles down. With the easy accessibility comes also a lighter weight on your wallet; plastic bottles are typically less expensive than glass. 

Glass Cons:

The glass they make baby bottles with is extremely sturdy with baby’s safety first in mind; that being said, glass is a bit heavier than plastic, which may add extra weight to the baby bag. Glass bottles may have to be ordered online vs grabbing one at your local grocery store, and though they last a lifetime, the initial investment is more than that of plastic bottles.

Plastic Cons:

Plastic, though a lighter weight, may come with heavy consequences. Even though baby bottles read BPA free, plastic is not equipped to handle high temperatures seamlessly. This means if the plastic is hot or heated, it could release micro-plastics and chemicals into the baby’s food. The porous material that plastic is made of could make cleaning a more laborious task as well. The bottles cannot be in high temperatures (which help eliminate bacteria and other pathogens), can become warped, and hold in smells and stains. Lastly, plastic has a shorter life span with you and a longer one in the landfill, looking at a 450 year sentence on each bottle. 

Final Thoughts

Whether glass or plastic is better for your lifestyle, it is important to find brands that you can trust for your baby. For plastic, make sure they are labeled BPA free to reduce the amount of toxins your family is exposed to. For glass, ensure the bottle is shatter proof and provides non-slip features such as added textures or a sleeve to protect the baby from the bottle. From mom to mom and child to child, our preferences may differ, but what all have in common is the passion to do what is best for our families.