All this talk about plastics, bottles, sippy cups, soothers, and all the rest of it is starting to get me really angry. What are we supposed to believe these days? We can choose to believe the people that we call "they". "They" say plastic cups and bottles with the recycle numbers 3, 6 and 7 should be thrown away. "They" say BPA can cause fertility problems and prostrate issues. "They" say latex and plastic soothers should be tossed. "They" say, and we do! This bothers me, because who are "they" and why do we believe everything that "they" say?!We could also choose to believe the stores that are pulling all the plastic bottles off their shelves. However, when you think about it... are they pulling these bottles off the shelf for our protection? Or, are they pulling them off the shelf so that they can stock the APPROVED bottles, and thus, make more money as all of us are now going to have to purchase new bottles?
Maybe we could choose to believe the manufacturers, who have yet to actually report a complete recall. Are they choosing to ignore these so-called studies, and keep their item on the shelf knowing that it could harm the public - particularly children - and even their own children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren? Or are they not reporting a recall because they know that there are no considerable studies that have shown an actual risk to humans? Maybe they just don't care.
Perhaps we should believe that everything these days is potentially going to cause cancer, or other health defects. It doesn't seem to matter if it is plastic bottles, shampoo, make-up, non-organic food items, pesticides, lotions, toilet paper, gum, paint fumes, vaccinations, hair dye, polyester clothing... is anything TRULY and REALLY safe? Even drinking water is now filled with fluoride and other chemicals. A walk in the outdoors is probably cancer-causing, because the neighbouring mill is blowing chaff out of its stacks like there is no tomorrow. Is there a tomorrow? I find it hard to believe that if it isn't going to be the plastic bottles I've used, something else is going to be the cause of cancer that kills me and my family. For all I know, "they" will be telling us next week that the plastic keys on the computer keyboard are now linked to brain hemorraging.
This makes me angry. I am angry with consumerism and advertising. I am angry at the lies, and then the lies that make me question the truth. I am angry at stores and manufacturers. I am angry at all this information that makes me as a mother worry EVEN MORE than I really need to. I am angry that I can't just live my life as healthy as I can without having to feel GUILTY that I fed my little baby boy from plastic bottles that MAY potentially cause him fertility problems in his future. Argh! I get SO frustrated by all of this. Sometimes I wish I was living in the "good 'ol days".
How do you handle it? Do you always go with the latest theory, and toss away the latest health risk you have in your home, replacing it with the newer (and usually more expensive) alternative? Or do you ignore it, and just live happily ever after with a clear conscience because inside you know you did all that you felt was necessary to keep your family safe and healthy? I struggle with a balance here. I don't want to be blamed for not taking the proper precautions, but at the same time I don't really know if this isn't all just propaganda.
38 comments :
Well there's a difference between theories and science. And while I don't think that I need to jump on every new paranoid bandwagon, I don't feel that an organization such as Health Canada is trying to play with me as a consumer. The fact is that we just don't know everything and all we can do is go with what we do know. When science gives us more information it can sometimes be scary. We worry about what effect our choices may have on us and our families. But all we can do is make the best decisions we can with the information we have.
I choose not believe that corporations are just playing around with us. The backlash would be far too great if it were to every come out. I still have faith in humanity and in science. However, we have to accept our limitations as humans. Personally, I try to be glad that we now know a little more than we did. Which is not to say that I can't identify with your frustration at all, because it is tiring to think you're doing everything in your power to keep your baby safe and healthy and find out that you've been misinformed.
But the "good ol' days" aren't all they are cracked up to be. How many people do you know who've had c-sections and one hundred years ago would likely have died in childbirth along with their fetus? I myself, would have died of diabetes as a child if not for modern science. There are benefits and risks in any age. We get what we get. We just have to live with it the best we can. :)
whoaaaa... Heather. I think you should step back and maybe think about this a bit. You do sound very angry.. and the last thing I want to do is spark a nerve.
But really.. why get so angry over this?
If you dont think theres a need to toss out a sippy or pacifier.. then dont do it. I personally had no problem throwing out our old sippys.. 1 because they were old any way.. and needed replacing... 2 I wanted to be sure my children had a safe product.
Now I agree.. who can we believe these days... but from what I have read those doing these studies on the products arent trying to make us go out and purchase more sippys from other companies...
I think they truly do want to make sure we as parents make the best decision concerning the health of our family.
It is a shame we have to watch things so carefully these days...
Its sad really.
But I personally would rather be safe than sorry... and if that means buying a new 5 dollar cup.. than so be it. It actually felt good to toss out all the old ones (we had to many that people had given us).. and buy just two good ones for milk and two good ones for water/juices.
Now no concerns for me..
But really dont stress it so much that it makes you this angry...
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you.. with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Eph 4:31
Even if all these warnings on numbers on sippy cups was a lie... there really is no reason to get upset about it.
Just remember we are not to worry... when I heard these news reports on the sippys from my husband I didnt get scared or overly concerned. I wasnt fearful that my child got cancer from 1 years worth of bad sippy cups.. but I did feel the need to replace them just to be safe.
Any who. I dont want to keep talking.. and I really dont want to upset you.
We all as parents have to make the best choice we feel for our family..
Thank you for saying what I've been thinking! I'm not angry, but I am frustrated at some paranoia I see, and even now the nervousness I feel when looking at a sippy cup or anything. Sheehs, talk about minipulating the market.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! you have voiced what I am sooooo wanting to say!!!
I'm getting really fed up by everyone dropping everything & throwing everything away just because an e-mail went out! I wish more Mom's would just go with their own opinions & gut instinct instead of always following the latest trend, or trying to prove to everyone around them that their ways are the only way...it's driving me so crazy i'm having to stop reading some peoples blogs.
There are SO many warnings out there, and SO many do-not-do...our kids are going to grow up SO sheltered, it's ridiculous.
I love that Kamryn finds out alot of things for herself, and that I make mistakes that she SEES so that she doesn't have to believe that everyone is perfect...
as for you stressing yourself out about this - i don't believe you are, i just believe it's YOUR opinion & i love it. I doubt you are bitter & angry like one of the other comments said because I know you well enough to know that your smiling as you write this post. :)
anyways, thanks for saying what I have wanted to say!! :) :) :)
My belief is, if these are so bad, then they'd be pulled off the shelf by Health Canada. Honestly, we DO have very strict regulations in this country! There would be recalls just as there have been for lead paint in/on toys. I use the bottles with the liners and my son doesn't take a soother but I could stress over many other things he uses/plays with on a daily basis and just don't. Maybe I put too much faith in our regulatory agencies such as Health Canada... but I just can't stress over every product out there. That's my opinion.
Anyhow I enjoyed your post. Good on you for venting and gathering others opinions.
Good post Heather. I am not a mom but I have been reading blogs and all sorts of things about this too, and wonder what I would do, but I feel the same as you, and agree with what Mel and Janelle had to say! Way to voice your opinion.
Shannon - I agree that I WANT to be able to trust our Government, Health Canada and the like to protect us. I think I've been watching too much Michael Moore. I also agree that I wouldn't actually want to live in the "olden days", but sometimes it seems like ignorance really could be bliss - but definately not always! :)
Drea - I think maybe saying that I'm angry was a bit overboard. I'm more frustrated than angry. And not just because of the sippy cups. It just feels like there is something new EVERY week, and my personality is one that worries. I do want to give this to God, and trust that He will lead me. Guilt doesn't come from God.
Melanie & Janelle - Thanks for understanding what I'm talking about! It feels good to know I'm not the only one who worries about these things.
Elina - I feel as you do, that I want to trust Health Canada and our Gov't to take care of us... but now things just seem to be going crazy!
Gina - Thanks for reading. Some of my frustrations stem into things that also affect non-moms too. These days it just feels like everything is, or will be, a hazard to our health!
I hear ya! I'm annoyed too. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if we took away every.single.thing that MAY cause harm to us??
No, I don't want to intentionally harm my kids, but it seems like there is nothing "safe" anymore...according to "them". I also echo Janelle saying that she's sick of product promoting, bashing things/tecniques/ways & all that junk. While I don't want to be ignorant, I prefer to live the simple life. I don't need the latest kid stuff & newest inventions to be happy or to make me feel like a "good" mom.
I could go on and on...but I'll stop. It was nice chatting w/ you & Rebekah for a bit today :) Hopefully we meet up again in the coming weeks and we can walk together! After I said I wasn't dressed for a walk when I got out of the van I realized it actually was really nice out! It's crazy how it takes my mind so long to switch over to non-winter mode ;)
I understand that you are angered by it, and I was thinking the other day while watching the news that it was rather nice of them to not wait the 10 years to find out 'for sure' that it's that chemical that is being harmful to us and causing cancers before they decide to pull it off shelves...However, I didn't think about the other side that just might be marketing. I don't have little ones with bottles anymore, but I know for me, if they are saying it, I am going on the safe side and getting rid of my sip cups and such...That's just me.
WOw, this is quite the rant! very good post. Honestly, i don't comment that much on other blogs, this one just makes me want to join in!
These are good thoughts and I agree with you! The consumerism part. Go to www.thestoryofstuff.com and there is something that will open your eyes a bit more......
It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the cancer causing things and getting paranoid....when I think of it, I start getting anxious and knots in my stomach! But what can we really do? I guess I just ask God wo protect me and do the best that I know how. Eat in moderation, exersice....Don't play in toxic waste piles....you know, the norm...
and just to add, you wrote this really well! i love your wording and all!
I'm going to post the link to the story of stuff on my blog, if youre interested in checking it out there
You are such a neat person
Heather, you rock.
I completely hear where you're coming from. Here we are, trying to do the best that we can, and all we're bumbarded with is "you're doing it wrong, you should be doing THIS..... no no no, you should'nt be doing that anymore, it's wrong now, now you should be doing THIS"
I hate the pressure that falls on us as parents! And if it's not pressure from "them" and what "they" say, it's pressure from other moms who are doing what "they" say, and think that you should too. There's such a wall, there's the moms who listen to "them" and the moms who don't. Both sides judge eachother, and it's dumb. I admit, I do too, why? Why is there such a force putting up walls of division, instilling so much confusion, creating worry and fear?.....could it be that there actually is a force??? And no, the realities don't come from Michael Moore (haha, had to laugh that you've been watching too much of him, I get like that after watching him too). The bible says that the battles we fight are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and principalities of this world. It's unwise of us to think that everyone has our best interests at heart, because the reality is, we live in a world of corruption and selfish sin, and not everyone does. I'm not going to say Health Canada is out to get us, but I will say there are things going on that we don't see.... Michael Moore or no Michael Moore, the facts still remain. The enemy is trying everything he can to get his hands on the next generation, FEAR FEAR and more FEAR I believe is how he gets his foot in the door.
But anyways...... this is the verse that stood out to me as I read this:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You asked over and over, who do we listen to? The answer is simple (and I know you know this) it's God, and His word. He is one that you can BE SURE has your best interests at heart. I believe that when we submit our fears to Him, that He will guard our hearts, He will let us know if we should do this or do that, He will not let us walk this road alone with no guidance.
I liked how carebears suggestion was to not play in piles of toxic waste. I'd better get rid of those toxic waste piles in my backyard.
Bless you Heather, bless your heart and your desire that wants to please and follow the LORD, and NOT "them".
Trust in the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding (or someone elses), in ALL of your ways acknowledge Him, and He WILL make your path straight.
Our God is a God of balance, and He will show you what that looks like.
holy crap that's a long comment
Nin (and Carebear too) - I love the verses that you posted! I thought about also twisting this rant into a spiritual post, but decided it was long enough - and that people will know my heart, and my desire to entrust the care of my family to Christ. :) Thanks for your encouraging words. Love ya!
love this post.
the whole deal drives me nuts too.
I totally agree with you Heather! And you have every right to be angry or frustrated. As parents, we need to do what we feel is right for our children. And what Nin and Carebear said about being anxious for nothing but make our requests known to God is so true! God will give you the peace you need to make the right decisions regarding James!
Drea: I don't think Heather meant for this post to be an attack on you or your post!
Sorry Heather...I was on my sister's computer when I posted the first comment...that was the Mrs. Ramsey...my sister, and it was me...Leslee...
HEATHER! That's just to say "hi" . . .
:)
This is jmo - of course, but one of the most valuable lessons I've learned in life is to question, question, question. Always. Don't just take things at face value or be a lemming and just soak things in and blindly follow whatever - which of course you don't . . . I just believe very strongly that there is a reason God made humans intelligent beings with the ablility to reason - so you're just putting to use what the good Lord gave you! To do otherwise is very dangerous, irresponsible and negligent - that's how cults get started . . .
Having said that, I really haven't had a chance to read up on this plastic stuff so I can't really offer any sort of "informed" opinion - not that you'd care for it anyway - ha! I've heard co-workers talk about it, but that's about it - however, like you, I instantly questioned it.
They could be right or just partially right or totally mistaken. I do know that on a legal level if "they" were really convinced they'd recall. The law suits alone would be disatrous for any of those companies. A company is liable once they even have a fraction of knowledge that their product is unsafe and they don't do anything about it.
You're a mom to a super adorable little boy and I'm sure part of the frustration on your part comes from doing all you possibly can to be the best mom EVER for this precious child and when you hear all this stuff it drives you little nuts. Probably feel guilt - totally undeserved, unreasonable guilt, but guilt nonetheless. A guilt that tells you you've harmed your child type of crappy guilt. . .
You're awesome Heather - very caring, loving and concerned and that's why you get frustrated. You should see me when I get all riled up. Anger can be a wonderful thing! If you can look at the world around you and open your eyes to the plight of the less fortunate, the down-trodden, you need to get mad! Really mad. Martin Luther King was one ranting madman . . . By God's grace and with His guidance MLK the "madman" brought about change! Wonderful, wonderful change. . . As Christians it is our godly duty to be bothered . . .
Love your blog, James is too cute - and you rock!
This definately was not an attack on anyone elses blog! Truly, I am simply stating my own thoughts on this. If everyone else decides to go buy new cups (and I might too, who knows, although the "damage" is probably already done, if there actually IS damage), I fully support you in that! I personally just can't afford to replace everything right now, and nevermind if and when baby #2 comes along and I have to get all new bottles. I don't tend to pick fights, I'm just letting my thoughts out.
I don't know. I'd rather know if there are concerns right away, and then do my own research and make my own decisions. How many things have been pulled off the market - and we find out that they knew there was a problem YEARS ago. I'd rather have the information. Knowledge is power to me. But I totally get that it makes others worry.
I'm just hoping they figure all this out before I need to go bottle shopping... Because I don't have a hot clue what's 'allowed' now after all this fuss. And I'd hate to throw out NEW stuff!
This topic is just about more heated than I want to get into! haha
I too get frustrated with who really is "they" and why should we trust "them". At the same time I think, you don't have to do everything all at once...just baby steps otherwise you get overwhelmed! I've made a few steps in going the "greener" way, but I can't do everything at once! For the next baby I will get new bottles (buy a few here and there), but for now I don't need to do that (Izzy is done bottles too). Also, I want to use natural cleaning supplies in my house, but I can't afford to switch everything over at once...so for now I'm just using the good old water & vinegar!
As far as the plastic thing goes, I think most of my sippys are ok, and only Izzy uses a soother (a safe one I think)...but from now on I'll just heat up stuff in a glass bowl rather than plastic, but I'll still use plastic...I think the harm is when the plastic is heated, because then whatever toxins are in the plastic come out when heated...I dunno, that's my thoughts.
Don't get overwhelmed by stuff, cause there will be something new every week...just do what's right for you, pray about it, and just take baby steps!!
Love ya!
Lindsay - I don't think you'll have much choice in bottles anyway. All stores in Canada now have to pull the unsafe bottles off their shelves. Your best bet would be to invest in the Born Free bottles. You can get them at Toys R Us, and A Child's Place. Maybe you won't need bottles at all, if you happen to be a pro at breastfeeding (don't know what your plan is there).
I think that the companies that produce these bottles, sippies,soothers etc...should do a recall and give people their money back or a replacement. Baby products are not cheap and to have to replace everything would put a nice dent in someone's bank account! I know that our children are worth it and if need be then I will purchase new stuff. But it's the principle behind the whole thing!
woooee! Look at you racking in the comments! lol!!!
Here's another to add to your million.
I like what Renee said about baby steps, that's a really good way to look at it.
I think it's interesting how I was just discussing this issue with my sister today since I bought Avent bottles for our baby just in case breastfeeding doesn't work. I read a comment about certain plastics and all the "harm" they claim to cause. I don't know what to think anymore and it makes me want to keep this baby inside of me forever just to protect it. I agree with you that things are going way overboard. I believe God has given each mother an instinct to take care of our children the best way we know how. Our mothers did the same for us. Trust yourself and know that God is on our side and He will protect us and our children. Thank you for voicing your opinion, we are all entitled to it. Take care Heather!
hi!
just came here through jamie´s blog and found that post....
i live in europe and we have the same products like you do (bottles and sippy-cups); some may differ, but it´s quite the same, i think.
so, here in europe NO ONE talks about the recall, the unhealthy sippy-cups, and so on. isn´t that weird? why should your children be "poisened" and ours not? isn´t that one proof for "the playing around"?
but i can understand your frustration VERY well (like most of the moms do, right?!) and i´m just sticking to my instinct and one book i´m reading regarding upbringing, feeding,.... children.
i think it´s hard to raise children these days, because of all the information you can get and all the knowledge we have.....
here in europe it´s pretty tough raising your child trusting in Him and yourself (your family and close friends)and not being convinced that "they" know everything....
oh, and i really like your post!it´s so open and refreshing!
leslie
You know, it's not like scientists can learn everything in one day. So, when they learn something new, they share it with us. When we know better, we do better.
Canada is the first country to take a stand on BPA, and hopefully they are the first of MANY. Many companies ARE pulling their products now, and they will be forced to in the next year.
If you still want to use Avent products, the colored cups are safe. You can interchange the tops to use them as a bottle. I have a whole ton of Avent bottles that I need to get rid of. Sure it sucks that they cost me money, but I think I can spare a couple $$ to get some new ones. Evenflo glass bottles are a great choice that is relatively inexpensive.
While God gave us instincts as mothers, He also told us to listen to those in authority over us. He gave us each different gifts, and things that we are better at. If someone knows more than me on a certain subject, who am I to say that I'm just following my instincts? Sometimes that's not enough.
Renee, you can get Green Works for like $3-4 at Wal-Mart that is totally safe as far as I know. But, vinegar works too!
Knowledge is POWER people! God wants us to always keep learning, and don't we all want to do our best? We can't just think everyone is out to get us!
Sorry this comment was so random.
There are so many things that I could say here. First of all, Heather I totally agree with your feeling frustrated at what we are and are not to believe. It is frustrating that the reports we are getting are so mixed up sometimes and are often from one study and stated as if they are the bottom line of all authorities on the matter.
I personally really appreciate that Health Canada is so vigilante about the items and products that are allowed and not. Our gov't's standards are so much higher than most other gov'ts and that is reassuing to me.
One thing that people are not cluing into though is that these plastics with BPA in them are being labelled as "unsafe" when they are used in the wrong way. They are not to be used in the microwave or the dishwasher. SO... use a microwave safe stoneware or mug to heat your milk and transfer it. Wash your bottles by hand and not in the dishwasher. Not sure what you can do about the whole need to sterilize bottles when they are really little though.
My husband and I have decided that for ourselves we are going to buy new bottles for our twins, ones that have no worries attached to them. We only have 4 bottles from our son's bottle days and those were passed down from a friend, so we figure it's time anyway. I'm hoping we won't need bottles too much for them anyway.
As far as our sippy cups go, we never put them in the microwave, so I have no worries. It's all in using the products you do have according to the recommendations right?
You have to do what you and your hubby think is best for your family and not worry about what everyone else is worried about.
Yeah, is there a prizr for the 30th commenter????
LOL
who would have thought that this would cause so much talk and dissucsion??
I'm to the point that my baby will be off bottles in a few months, and I'm not going to buy all new bottles!!
Like heather, you said, you Go outside and can get cancer.....
I'm tired of listening to "them" too
It really is frustrating to discover that we may have inadvertently been exposing our children to bad chemicals. We don't know what the ramifications are, and that's scary. But I'm pretty sure that you have and will take this situation to the Lord and I'm confident He will guide you, with the Holy Spirit speaking to you through your instincts and inner voice. We're investigating using glass bottles for our next baby because of these reports, which are also prevalent in the USA. I hope you can find peace through prayer and more research about what to do.
Heather,
I totally agree!! It's sooo frustrating as a parent because in a lot of ways we are helpless as to what to believe. Even as a Christian, trusting God and His protection, we are still placed over our kids and it sometimes gets so muddy trying to figure out what's best. I totally share your frustration and not just about sippy cups but house cleaning supplies, bug sprays, etc. It seems like everything could potentially be harmful.
"It was determined that the main source of exposure (to BPA) for newborns and infants is through the use of polycarbonate baby bottles when they are exposed to high temperatures and the migration of bisphenol A from cans into infant formula. The scientists concluded in this assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however, the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough." As posted on the Health Canada website.
http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/
The above has a nice list of which bottles/sippys etc. are BPA free. Other than our Avent bottles (which are not in regular use anymore), most of James' cups are in the BPA free list. Phew! Thanks God!
Hey Heather...that link didn't work?
Christy - It works if you copy and paste it into your browser. Sorry, I don't know how to make links in the comments!
That is what I did but the first time it didn't work for some reason but this time it did!
Thanks!
I had been thinking about going with glass for the next baby any how, so it doesn't really bother me. As far as sippies, I think all but like 2 are on the safe list, so that's not too bad! But when you have 3 kids (my 2 plus a part-time daycare boy) drinking from sippies you need more than just a few!
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