Why is silicone better for babies?

By Farah Halabi

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Bright colours, easy to clean, unbreakable- it is easy to see why silicone products have taken over the kids and baby market. Today, we are giving you an overview on why Silicone is now the better alternative for baby goods.

What is Silicone?

Silicone is derived from silica, a natural substance found in sand. Since sand is the second most abundant element found in the earth&#;s crust, it&#;s a good starting point for a sustainable material. The silica is then processed with oxygen (to form the element silicon (Si)), hydrogen and carbon to create a non-toxic polymer. In contrast, plastic is made from crude oil, a non-renewable resource, and contains harmful toxins such as bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS).

Here's why WE love it:

• Silicone is 100% food-grade.
  Made specially to be non-toxic and hypoallergenic, silicone can withstand heat and cold without leaching off harmful chemicals, unlike other polymers. These properties make silicone baby bowls and plates incredibly safe for contact with food. They&#;re not only non-toxic&#;they&#;re also odour-free and stain-resistant.

• Silicone is BPA-free.
  BPA is a chemical found in many plastics and resins. It&#;s harmful to human health, seeping into food or beverages when a container with BPA is heated. The substance is known to affect the brain and blood pressure of adults and kids alike. Fortunately, silicone does not contain any BPA, making it a safer choice over plastic.

• Silicone is soft and flexible.
  Silicone is a very soft material, much like rubber. Bowls and plates made of silicone won&#;t break into several sharp pieces when dropped, making them safe for your child. Silicone

   

  cups

   

  and

   

  cutlery

   

  are also more gentle on sensitive lips and gums.

• Silicone is Eco-Friendly, just like our bamboo highchair footrests.

  Made from an abundant natural resource, silicone is significantly more ocean-friendly than plastic since it doesn't break down when lost in the environment into micro pieces like plastic does. Compared with plastic, silicone is also the most durable option. It can withstand high heat, freezing cold and immense pressure, making it a robust choice for child&#;s play! Silicone can also be recycled multiple times, which gives it another advantage over many plastics.

• Silicone is easy to clean.

  Further reading:
  Colloidal Silica vs. Fumed Silica
  Which type of poultry farming is most profitable?
  Automatic Bamboo Round Stick Forming Making Machine

  If you are looking for more details, kindly visit silicone baby product.

  Silicone is non-porous which means it&#;s a hypoallergenic material that is waterproof and can&#;t harbour germs. It is also odour-free and stain-resistant.

We hope this helps you to understand why Nibble and Rest has chosen silicone to make our children&#;s eat-ware. As parents ourselves, we think kids deserve better materials for their health and their environment.

(Click images to be taken to product page)

We asked experts at the Children's Environmental Health Center (CEHC) for their take on using silicone products around children. Dr. Sarah Evans, PhD MPH, from the CEHC shares her thoughts with us here:

Food grade silicone is an FDA-approved synthetic rubber made of bonded silicon, a natural element found in sand and rock, and oxygen.  Silicone has a long track record for safe use in baby bottle nipples, pacifiers and teethers, and has recently become popular in bakeware and kitchen items as an alternative to latex, plastic, and Teflon.

From an environmental standpoint, silicone is reusable and extremely durable. Although not biodegradable, it is recyclable.  While silicone is purportedly nontoxic to aquatic wildlife, some siloxanes, silicone-oxygen compounds used in many silicone products, are persistent in the environment and their toxicity profile is not well established1.

Health Canada has concluded that silicone is safe for use in baby products and bakeware as it is stable and does not leach chemicals or off gas fumes2. However, studies of silicone products exposed to high heat over long periods of time are lacking.  Simulation studies show that low molecular weight siloxanes, formed by the reaction of silicone and oxygen, can migrate from silicone into food and that migration rates depend upon temperature, fat content of the food, and length of contact time3.  A recent study demonstrated much lower siloxane content and migration from silicone bottle nipples compared with bakeware4.  Limited evidence from laboratory studies suggests that some siloxanes may be estrogenic or carcinogenic, but further study is needed5. No human health effects from silicone or siloxane exposures have been reported.

The bottom line:  When deciding whether to use silicone products, it&#;s important to talk to manufacturers about their composition.  Choose food grade silicone that is BPA/BPS/BPF and lead-free and does not contain additional fillers. Silicone baby products, when used as directed, seem to pose little risk of harmful exposures. Likewise, silicone kitchen products that are not exposed to high heat such as spatulas or cutting mats should pose minimal risk.  Glass, ceramic, or stainless steel are good options for items that come into contact with food at very high temperatures.

Follow the CEHC on twitter and receive updates on the latest environmental health research. 

1. Norden. . Siloxanes in the Nordic Environment. TemaNord :593. Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen. Available at http://www.norden.org/pub/miljo/miljo/uk/TN.pdf.
2. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/product-safety-securite-produits/consumer-consommation/education/household-menagers/cook-cuisinier-eng.phpKai Zhang, Jon W.
3. Helling R, Kutschbach K, Simat TJ. Migration behaviour of silicone moulds in contact with different foodstuffs. Food Addit Contam A. 27.:396&#;405.
4. Wong, Timothy H. Begley, Douglas G. Hayward and William Limm
Determination of siloxanes in silicone products and potential migration to milk, formula and liquid simulants. Food Additives and Contaminants Vol. 29, No. 8, August , &#;
5. http://oehha.ca.gov/multimedia/biomon/pdf/cyclosiloxanes.pdf

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