BPA's and You

Bisphenol-a also know as bpa has been a hot topic lately.  The other day someone was telling me that they are even in canned food and receipts.  It seems like every where you look there is a new toxic substance we all have to avoid.  While I believe that plastics destroy the earth causing the pacific coast garbage patch and littering the sides of the road, I still didn't know anything really about bpa.  What kind of writer would I be if I didn't research and get the skinny on bpa?  Keep in mind I'm not a scientist, in fact most of my college science has nothing to do with so all I can do is give my opinion on any of these topics as a consumer, wife and nanny.

Dangers
Bpas have been known to cause an early puberty in female animals due to the fact that it mimics estrogen and other hormones.  Bpas being injected directly into rats suggests that it may pose cancer risks (NY Times).   While these tests are done on animals, it's up to you as a parent to decide if you want to risk your children or buy products and try to avoid exposure.  In fact, some countries like China and Canada have gone so far as to completely ban bpas from baby bottles.  Personally, I have taken some steps to avoid bpas in my home. 

Where to find bisphenol-a
Basically any and all plastics contain bpas.  It has been used for years to make hard plastics.  This means everything from your Tupperware to your frozen dinner trays contain bpas.  There have also been high traces of bpa found in the lining of canned food.  Even those that are labeled organic, it does not mean that they are bpa free.  Bpas are released when the containers are heated, and then it goes into the food that you eat.  Even those containers that say they are microwave safe, may have bpas.  Since children have a lot of plastic utensils and dishes, it makes them an easy target for exposure. 

How to avoid bpas
You best bet is to look for bpa-free labels on your plastics.  A ton of stores and companies are only carrying and making bpa-free plastics for children. If the label doesn't say bpa-free, that means it's not bpa-free, only trust what the label says and never assume. Sswitch out your plastic Tupperware for glass containers.  The best part about the glass means it can go freezer, fridge, oven and microwave without a problem.  As far as canned food goes, try to avoid it when possible.  Consider switching to frozen veggies instead of canned when you can't get fresh.  Some groups suggest that you don't wash your plastics in the dishwasher with harsh soaps, other groups say that it perfectly fine.

My Conclusion
It seems to me that there is some evidence of harmful effects of bpas. I will probably take even more care in purchasing products that are bpa-free especially for children.  There just really isn't any way of knowing how harmful or dangerous a lifetime of exposure could be until more research is done on the subject.  Until a statement comes out saying that bisphenol-a is not at all harmful, why not try to avoid bpas?  The truth is I don't think we can ever completely protect our family from all of the dangers in the world, we can just do our best.

Sources
New York Times
www.sciencedaily.com
Mayo Clinic

Are You Ready For Kids?

This is a question almost every person asks them self at least once in their life.  It's not a decision to be taken lightly as there is another life involved, and you can't get bored and change your mind halfway through raising it. 

Now I believe in having a traditional family, with the parents married because I've seen one too many couples that weren't married, change their minds mid-pregnancy and split.  Unless you two plan on never marrying, what's the rush to have a baby now?  You can't wait 6 months or a year to get married first and tell your child you planned for their arrival?  However, I can't tell you how to live your life and you know what is best for you.  Just make sure that you and your partner are both in agreement that you want to have a child, before you have a child.  Don't go forward with your plan in hopes that your partner will come around to wanting a child eventually. 

Money, Honey
This is the first point you should look over when thinking about a child.  Yes, love finds a way, but we all know parents want the best for their children and children aren't cheap.  There are plenty of websites to help you calculate how much your little bundle of joy is going to cost.  Keep in mind things like baby furniture, food/diapers, time off work for maternity leave, time off work for illnesses, childcare and raise in insurance prices.  Not only that but you must also consider co-pays at the doctor.  If you have a child with some weird allergy or gets sick a lot, you have to keep in mind that every time you go to the doctor there will be co-pays for specialist, prescriptions, regular visits, ect.  It can add up very quickly and it's one thing a lot of young parents don't think about before they have a child. 

Work
This goes along with money but it's important enough to consider by itself.  Are you at a point in your career when you can take time off of work for maternity leave?  You also need to consider that you will have to take a sick day every time your child gets ill because day cares and schools won't take sick children and they will need to go to the doctor.  Something a lot of moms don't consider is are you available to go on a bed rest?  You may think it doesn't happen anymore, but in actuality a lot of pregnant women end up on bed rest for a part of pregnancy.  Are you able to either work from home or step back from work to have a baby?

Bucket List
Have you gotten far enough on your bucket list?  Having a young baby at home means that it will be awhile before you can risk your life jumping out of a plane or go backpacking through Europe.  Have fun, take some vacations and cross off some things on your bucket list before you have a child.  Make sure you don't regret missing out on life because you had a baby.  Most importantly sleep in!  Enjoy it while you can because once you have a baby it will be a good 5 years or so before you are able to sleep through the entire night and possibly sleep in on the weekends. 

Test Drive
If you think you are ready to give up all of these great things for a little bundle of joy it's time to take a baby for a test drive.  Find a friend, or a sibling that is willing to give up their child for a day or weekend.  Really commit and pretend that it is your baby.  Constant crying, diaper changing and spit up might make you frustrated.  If you get really frustrated or exhausted in the one weekend, remember that it's going to be like that every day all day if you have a child. 

I hope this article doesn't make you panic over having a baby.  Trust me, it's very rewarding and enjoyable and you can overlook all of the bad for those few moments of good.  The baby just isn't a fix if you are looking for something in your life.  Don't think a baby is going to love you and give you something you're missing, a baby is selfish.  You give everything to that child and only get a teeny bit of that love back.  So worth it, but a baby is not a fix for any other problem you are having in another area of your life.  Do not have a baby to get your husband to stick around, to have someone to love you, to be your friend or because all of your friends are having them and you can't stand going to one more baby shower and hearing them ask when you are going to have a baby.  A baby is a complete lifestyle change but it is very rewarding.