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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feed my baby using plastic bottles. Just had a row with DP

216 replies

CassandrasCastle · 19/10/2020 20:14

[https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/bottle-fed-babies-swallow-millions-microplastics-day-study]
I have just been accused of not caring for our baby (formula fed since week 2. My decision, I couldn't take it anymore. I still don't think he completelyunderstands this.) because I'll continue to use plastic Tommee Tippee bottles after reading this Guardian article DP found today. He's usually incredibly wonderful and supportive, and I think I'm probably being a cow.
But we're currently not really speaking despite apologising to each other about outburst on both sides.
If I continue with the plastic bottles for 6 month old DD AIBU?

OP posts:
OP posts:
AriettyHomily · 19/10/2020 20:15

No YANBU. How does he propose you feed the baby?

MaskingForIt · 19/10/2020 20:15

If he doesn’t like it he needs to provide some non-plastic bottles then, doesn’t he?

Thehop · 19/10/2020 20:16

Can you afford to swap to glass bottles?

If he’s concerned and you can afford to buy glass then it seems a no brainier.

Ohtherewearethen · 19/10/2020 20:17

What exactly is he suggesting as an alternative? How does he imagine your baby will get fed? He's as likely to produce breast milk as you are at this stage, with the right drugs. Why not suggest that to him and see what he says?

dementedpixie · 19/10/2020 20:19

Ithe vast vast majority of feeding bottles are plastic although you do get glass ones. I don't know anybody that has used them though

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 19/10/2020 20:20

If you wanted to reduce the risk you could use a cold water sterilizer (im assuming you don't already, sorry), and you could make up feeds in a glass jug instead of the bottles, and then let it cool before putting in the bottle. It's the heat from sterilizing and making them up in the bottles that increases the microplastics apparently. (I've only read about this all today, and happy to be corrected, just a thought that could be a compromise).

Plussizejumpsuit · 19/10/2020 20:20

So I assume your milk supply has stopped now? How would he propose you feed the baby?!

Mylittlepony374 · 19/10/2020 20:20

Can you swap to glass? Seems like that would be happiest outcome for all.

BrutusMcDogface · 19/10/2020 20:20

What is his solution to this problem, then?

AliasGrape · 19/10/2020 20:21

I couldn’t breast feed. There was no milk. I tried everything.

So in all honesty what’s the alternative to plastic bottles? Just not feeding my baby?

I already have horrendous mum guilt about the whole thing and am so sick of constantly hearing about all the many and various risks I am exposing my child to. This just feels like something else to make us feel worse.

Original poster
CassandrasCastle · 19/10/2020 20:22

I think he's proposing glass bottles, or preparing the formula in a glass container then transferring to bottle. To be fair, I didn't give him much opportunity for propositions, after he suggested I might not care for DD

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 19/10/2020 20:22

Ahh something else for people to worry aboutHmm. According to that article, there’s micro plastics in everything! Goodness knows what else we are all unwittingly exposed to.
YANBU ... what does he expect you to use?

Original poster
CassandrasCastle · 19/10/2020 20:23

@AliasGrape

I couldn’t breast feed. There was no milk. I tried everything.

So in all honesty what’s the alternative to plastic bottles? Just not feeding my baby?

I already have horrendous mum guilt about the whole thing and am so sick of constantly hearing about all the many and various risks I am exposing my child to. This just feels like something else to make us feel worse.

Exactly how I feel x
OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/10/2020 20:23

The link gives workaround options

The scientists suggest an additional washing step can cut the microplastics produced during usual formula preparation. Water boiled in a non-plastic container and then cooled is used to rinse the bottle three times after sterilisation. The formula is also made in a non-plastic container, then cooled and poured into the clean bottle.

Other solutions include using glass bottles, though these are heavier for babies to hold and are breakable, and developing tough new coatings to prevent plastics shedding particles.

IMNOTSHOUTING · 19/10/2020 20:24

He was out if order to accuse you of not caring but I don't see why you wouldn't change to a different type of bottle if its so important to him (assuming you can afford it). Sounds like he's reacted to the new baby with a lot of anxiety. If this will help why not? It's his child too.

Suzi888 · 19/10/2020 20:24

Oh saw your update, well let HIM prepare bottles according to the method stated in the article then.

Glass bottles would be even more dangerous when baby inevitably drops them.

ShebaShimmyShake · 19/10/2020 20:26

Does he feed the baby? What's his alternative? You say he didn't understand why you stopped breastfeeding, is there more to that story?

ArizonaRobbins · 19/10/2020 20:26

Urgh he sounds overly-involved, OTT and pushy. Is he pissed off that you stopped breastfeeding? Bet that’s the real source of his irritation. Grim.

ZippedyBooBah · 19/10/2020 20:27

Stainless steel bottles are cheaper and more durable than glass Smile

D4rwin · 19/10/2020 20:27

Stainless steel bottles?

Ohalrightthen · 19/10/2020 20:28

He has a point - this was one of the many reasons we pushed through with breastfeeding, microplastics and carbon footprint. Both switching to glass bottles and making up feeds in a glass jug are good alternatives.

Tbh, if I'd brought something like this to my partner's attention and they'd shrugged and gone "fuck it, I'll stick with what I'm doing" i would similarly be pretty pissed off, and questioning how much they cared about the baby vs their own convenience.

PullTheBricksDown · 19/10/2020 20:28

I would expect him to go out and get the glass bottles.

Terrace58 · 19/10/2020 20:28

You aren’t breastfeeding so he gets an equal day in how the baby is fed. If he wants to use glass bottles he should go buy them, wash them, and have them sitting there ready for the baby to be fed.

StatisticallyChallenged · 19/10/2020 20:28

If he wants to get glass bottles he can bloody buy them

If he's suggesting you fanny around with alternatives prep methods that require extra steps, extra cleaning, transferring from container to container then he can do it. Whilst juggling the hungry baby if the timing is off.

If he's not up for the extra work he can stfu.