Two chemicals that have gotten a lot of press recently are phthalates and BPA (bisphenol A). Such chemicals have been identified as being potentially harmful, and most experts agree that it is best to limit your child's exposure. Phthalates are added to plastic to increase its flexibility and have been prohibited in the United States in "children's toys" or "child care articles." This is meant to include pacifiers, nipples and hopefully anything else that your infant may be sucking on. BPA is most often used in the linings of cans and in some clear plastic baby bottles.

To reduce your infants' exposure to BPA, use glass bottles or plastic bottles that are BPA free. Many options are now available and hopefully soon all baby bottles and food containers will be BPA free. Avoid heating food or beverages in plastic containers as it is thought that the heating process may leach the chemical into the liquids.