In parts one and two of our series we covered some of the science behind the bisphenol A (BPA) debate and the key governmental decisions related to BPA. In our final section, we suggest some ways that you can minimize your exposure to BPA with easy alternatives.

While there are strong believers on both sides of the BPA debate–assuring you of its safety or its danger–we think there is enough evidence to justify lessening the amount of BPA in your life, especially since it’s so easy to switch.

We’ll start with baby bottles and sippy cups, since scientists are most concerned about the effects of BPA in babies. For a long time, just about all baby bottles and sippy cups were made from polycarbonate and that meant BPA was involved (unless you breast fed up until your child was ready for a glass cup). Recently, many manufacturers have announced plans to phase out BPA, including Playtex, and are working to offer BPA-free alternatives. We like Born Free, Green to Grow and ThinkBaby, who have been producing BPA-free bottles for awhile now and feature the innovations of conventional brands (things like inner valves and air vents) while avoiding potentially harmful chemicals.

While many of you may have already switched your baby bottles in light of recent headlines, it’s easy to overlook another area of BPA-leaching–packaged baby food. Much of the plastic and metal baby food packaging on the shelves contains BPA (or other potentially harmful materials like Styrofoam). You can switch to buying baby food in glass containers or go homemade with a baby food kit and take complete control over what’s in your baby food. Click here to read more

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Most people remember Kellie Martin for her portrayl of the daughter on Life Goes On (though there were many devoted fans to both her series Christy on CBS and her stint on ER), so it may be a jump to think of her not as a socially-awkward teen but a woman with a child of her own. But Martin is now the proud parent of a two-year old girl and one of the developments that has come with motherhood is a renewed commitment to going green (a trend we’ve mentioned regarding fellow mom Jessica Alba). Martin is working to one day have everything that fills her daughter’s room or touches her daughter’s skin be free of toxic chemicals, and one of the ways she’s setting to work is by favoring eco-friendly, natural products over conventional alternatives. Martin is dressing daughter Margaret in organic cotton clothing, applying natural baby skin care products and handing over wooden toys for playtime. Click here to read more

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