With the recent news that products that contains BPA may be harmful to our health, stores across Canada and some parts of the USA are taking these plastic bottles, sippys, and other products off the shelf.

In the meantime, you probably have some of bottles and sippy cups that do contain BPA’s. An easy way to spot them is to look at the bottom of the bottle or cup and look for the recycling symbol. If it has a 7 in it, it contains BPA’s. You will want to keep the bottles that have the numbers 2, 4, or 5. **It seems that not all #7 plastics contain BPA’s, however many do, so refer to the list for safe alternatives.

What is BPA? BPA stands for Bisphenol A and is a harmful chemical found in polycarbonate plastic which has been used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, and other such plastics.

Why is BPA Harmful? BPA mimics the human hormone estrogen, and when humans are exposed to even small quantities it has effects that include cancers, behavior disorders, and fertility issues. BPA Free Baby Products from Amazon

BPA Free Bottle Products
compiled from SafeMama.com

* Adiri Natural Nursers
* Avent “Via” disposable bottles
* BornFree - All bottles and cups BPA free
* EvenFlo Glass bottles
* Playtex Opaque Soft Bottle, Playtex Drop in liners
* Gerber: Gerber Clearview, Fashion Tints (also called “Plastic Pastels”), Gerber GentleFlow
* Medela: All bottles
* Sassy MAM bottles (UltiVent), Baby Food Nurser Kit
* Green to Grow Bottles
* Baby Food Nurser Kit
* ThinkBaby Bottles
* Momo Glass Bottles
* Nuby: Standard Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, Standard Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, 3-Stage Wide Neck Easy Grip Feeding System with Non-Drip Nipple.
* Nuture Pure Glass bottles
* Babisil Silbottles
* Weego Glass Bottles
* Siliskin Glass Bottles
* Dr Brown’s Glass Bottles (all vent system pieces BPA Free), Dr. Browns Polypropylene bottles
BPA Free Sippy Cups

* Avent Magic Cups
* Playtex: Coolster Tumbler, Insulator, Einstein Training Cup, Sipster, Create My Own, Quick Straw, Insulator Sport, Sip and Discover, First Sipster
* Gerber: Sip & Smile Spill-proof Cup, Easy Grip Insulated Soft Straw Cup, Insulated Cool Cup, Fun Grips Color Change Spill-proof Cup, Grins & Giggles Spill-proof Cup (source)
* BornFree sippy/drinking cups
* Klean Kanteen
* Thermos Foogo Sippy Cups, and drinking bottle with straw
* SIGG Toddler Water Bottles
* Kid Basix The Safe Sippy
* Boon Sippy
* GrowPure Multi-Stage Feeder and Sippy Cup
* iPlay Aqua Bottle
* ThinkBaby Training Cup
* Sassy Snack Time Infa-Trainer Cup
* Munchkin: Cupsicle, Cupsicle Straw Cup, Big Kid Sippy Cup, Mighty Grip Flip Straw Cup, Mighty Grip Trainer Cup, licensed character Sports Bottles, Re-usable Straw Cups, Re-usable Spill-proof Cups
* Nuby: No-Spill Sports Sipper, Insulated Soft Silicone Spout Cup, Soft Spout Easy Grip Cup, Gripper Cup with Soft Silicone Spout, 2-Handle Cup, Tinted Mega Sipper
* The First Years: Take & Toss, Spill-proof Cup, Insulated Cup, Licensed character sippy cups, Insulated Spill-proof Cup, 2 Handled Cups

BPA Free Milk and Food Storage

* Avent Via 8-oz. Nurser Kit
* Avent Snack Cup / Formula Dispenser
* Mother’s Milkmate Storage bottles
* Medela Milk Storage bottles and breastpump accessories
* Playtex Breastmilk storage kit
* Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bags
* Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bottles
* Gerber Breastmilk Storage Bags
* So Easy Fresh Baby Food Kit
* Baby Cubes
* Laptop Lunch System

See the Z Report on BPA for more information.

My personal opinion on the matter of BPA’s is even though there is a lot of media “hype”, even if there is just the slightest risk from the presence in baby and other plastic products it is worth it to me to make the switch. There are many plastics that do not contain any traces of BPA’s it is an inexpensive change.

Sometimes it feels like there is nothing quick and easy to give your toddler as a snack.

I know as a parent I sometimes stare at the fridge and pantry and assume there is nothing even semi healthy to give to my little one. How I forget about the little, less complicated things that can be made in a matter of minutes. Here are 20 quick and easy snacks for your toddler:

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1. Yogurt - Good with apple slices to make dippers
2. Oatmeal - use different flavors for variety
3. Mac and cheese - Make this snack into a meal by adding in corn, carrots, peas, or ground beef.
4. String cheese
5. Raisins
6. Cut up pieces of fruit - mandarin oranges, sliced grapes, and strawberries are good options.
7. Applesauce
8. Grilled Cheese - Cut up into bite size squares
9. Goldfish Crackers, Gerber Puffs, Cheez Its
10. Mini Pancakes - Eggo makes some minis that are easy to make.
11. Scrambled Eggs
12. Toast w/Jelly (or Peanut Butter if your sure your toddler has no allergy to nuts)
13. Dry cereal - Cheerios are a great staple and easy to travel with.
14. Veggies - Broccoli, brussel sprouts, corn, green beans are all great choices!
15. Mashed Potatoes - Make up a big batch and freeze into smaller portions.
16. Cheese Quesadillas - Cut into small triangles
17. Fish Sticks, grilled chicken strips (Cut up)
18. Deli Meat - ham/turkey rolled up, serve w/cheese cubes
19. Pasta - Served with spaghetti sauce or with a small amount of butter/margarine.
20. Cereal Bars (like Nutrigrain) - Easy snack for on the go!

A couple of these toddler snacks can be beefed up to make some yummy toddler meals. Mix and a match a few of the fruit and veggie choices and in some protein and your toddler will have a well balanced lunch

Do you have a snack your toddler enjoys and wants to share it here? Leave a comment and I will add it to my list.

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For a limited time, Pull-Ups brand Training Pants is offering a free Potty Training DVD to residents of US and Canada.

The DVD is called “Big Kid Central Potty Training Success” which contains techniques, tips, songs and games, to help you and your child - no matter where you’re at with potty training.

Get yours here!

Here are the Pull-Ups kits I used to Potty Train my daughter-