Worried about baby’s microplastic exposure

[Applepie357]

My baby is 6 months old and I have been doing a mixture of pumping and using formula. For the first 4 months, I was using plastic bottles until I read just how many microplastics they shed (it’s in the realm of millions). I then immediately switched to glass bottles. However I am so worried about my baby’s exposure to microplastics in this time because according to the article, sterilizing the bottles using heat causes a lot of microplastics to be shed and I was steam sterilizing them. She also would’ve been exposed to microplastics from not only the bottles but also the pump parts and the storage bottles. The article also said shaking the bottles vigorously causes them to shed and we were doing that because she needed a medication mixed in her feeds. Worst of all we were heating the bottles by putting them in a bowl of boiling water. I’m so worried my baby will have come to harm as microplastics are associated with motor neurone disease, dementia and Parkinson’s. I just wish I had tried breastfeeding for longer. I started pumping in the hospital because she couldn’t breastfeed but the last time I tried breastfeeding, she managed for 10 minutes but I found pumping easier by that point so I gave up. I wish I continued for longer and she wouldn’t have had this exposure. I can’t stop thinking about this all day every day. I feel like a terrible mum. I just didn’t know. I assumed the bottles would be designed to withstand heat etc. I know people will say we can’t avoid microplastics but given the above, her microplastic exposure will be much higher than others’.

You did your best with the information you had at the time. Don't do this to yourself, please. Things are going to happen to your child at all life stages that are potentially not optimum. That's life, there are knocks and bruises and ups and downs and your child will have a long life full of a mixed bag of outcomes and that's perfectly normal. How are you feeling otherwise?

Aww OP don't worry, this won't have harmed her at all and the fact that you are worrying about her shows what a great mum you are 🥰 you are doing so well by pumping...I pumped for 8 weeks then switched to formula, I just couldn't take it anymore! Plastic bottles and sterilisers are safe. It's hard not to worry as a new mum but if you find you are worrying loads I would chat with your GP as I struggled with this as a new mum too

Are you anxious about anything else? I’m concerned you may have postnatal anxiety or PND.

I am very concerned about microplastics. But also I’ve just accepted that there’s very little we can do about them. They are in food, tap water, everything. You aren’t getting away from them. Try and accept that we are all constantly consuming them and it’s inevitable.

Her microplastic exposure will not be any higher than anyone else’s.

It is normal to worry about things, especially when you have a tiny baby, it’s a very intense time. But if you feel like you are having a lot of anxiety, maybe talk to your GP or health visitor or see if there any support groups. There is one near me for new mums called Parents In Mind. There might be something similar near you.