When it comes to keeping babies as , with what they eat, and what they play with, parents try to reduce the number of chemicals that they are exposed to. One chemical, known as the "everywhere chemical," according to the , is . As such, it is impossible to eliminate the exposure babies have to the chemical. However, it is possible to take steps to reduce the amounts of phthalates babies are exposed to.

Phthalates can be found in any number of items that people come into contact with, but the main source of phthalate exposure is plastics. Given that come into contact with , bottles, utensils they eat with, and more, their exposure is fairly great.

This is troubling because of a baby's body size and immature systems that do not allow them to process the chemical the way adults do. This is because while phthalates eventually do leave the body, they never do so completely, according to the NIH. As such, the chemical begins to build up in the body, wreaking havoc on the endocrine system, which can interfere with both how the hormone system behaves and how the .

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Therefore, finding ways to eliminate exposure to the chemical is important to keep babies as safe as possible while they explore the world by putting things into their mouths.

Here are ways to reduce a baby's exposure to phthalates.

5 Buy Toys Made From Other Materials Than Plastic

via Pexels/cottonbro

One of the main exposures that babies have to phthalates is with the plastic toys that they play with. This is because babies explore by putting things into their mouths. As such, they are putting plastic into their mouths this is generally of a soft variety, which allows the chemical to easily enter their body.

Fortunately, there are a variety of toys available for babies that provide the same enjoyable playtime but are made of other materials that are safer for babies to put into their mouths.

The most popular alternative to plastic baby toys is wooden toys. This is because not only do wooden toys not contain phthalates, according to , they are also better for the environment and more durable than their plastic competitors.

4 Use Glass Baby Bottles

via Unsplash/Rainier Ridao

Another way that babies are exposed to plastic is through baby bottles.

While parents know not to heat milk in plastic bottles, when the warmed-up milk is placed into the plastic bottle, it begins the process of allowing phthalates to leech into milk. As a result, babies consume a small level of phthalates every time they are given a bottle that over time, begins to build up in their body, according to the .

A way to reduce exposure to phthalates with a bottle is to use glass instead of plastic. Not only is the chemical risk reduced, but, according to , glass bottles can be sanitized better, are longer-lasting, recyclable, and more.

The few downsides to glass baby bottles are that they tend to be more expensive and are heavier than plastic, which makes it more difficult for a baby to hold up. But, by replacing a few bottles at a time and finding the correct weight of bottles for the baby's age, it is possible to replace the plastic baby bottles with glass.

3 Purchase Baby Food In Glass Jars

via Unsplash/Phong Duong

The best way to ensure that there are no phthalates in the food being given to babies is to make it versus buying premade baby food. However, for many, this just is not feasible. Therefore, the next best option is purchasing baby food from glass jars.

For those who like to warm up baby food before giving it to their babies, warming it up in plastic containers is a sure-fire way to have phthalates leech into the baby food. By purchasing baby food in glass jars, this problem does not exist.

Further still, glass jars can be recycled and can be used to store unused baby food safely, according to . And because there is not a price difference when it comes to purchasing baby food in glass jars versus , it is not a hard decision to make to choose premade baby food in glass jars to provide nourishment for babies.

2 Use Fragrance-Free Baby Shampoos & Washes

via Unsplash/Nihal Karkala

When choosing baby shampoos and washes, those that are labeled fragrance-free or specifically state that they do not contain phthalates are the best option to purchase. This is because phthalates can soak into the body through the skin, according to the .

There is a difference between fragrance-free and unscented, however. Fragrance-free does not contain scent, which means that phthalates are eliminated from the equation. Unscented, on the other hand, according to , means that some of the same properties that make up fragrances are still found in the shampoo or body wash, meaning that phthalates can still be present.

1 Use Silicone Teethers

via Pexels/Keira Burton

Plastic teethers are a huge way that babies are exposed to phthalates. This is because most are made from PVC, which is softened by phthalates. As such, there is a large risk of exposure to phthalates every time the teether is put in the mouth.

Silicone, also being called "the plastic alternative" by , is a safe alternative to plastic. Teethers made from silicone are a great alternative because they are flexible, durable, and washable, but contain none of the chemicals that plastics do. As such, many parents have opted to give their babies silicone teethers given that the cost is not much different than the plastic variety. And, they feel good knowing that their babies are putting something into their bodies that will not cause hormonal or endocrine problems in the future.

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