Current research suggests baby formula contains more microplastics than breastmilk, although both are contaminated to some extent due to environmental and material exposure. Here's a breakdown of what is known:
Microplastics in Formula
Formula is much more prone to contamination due to:
- Plastic feeding bottles: Heating formula in plastic bottles releases large amounts of microplastics.
- Preparation process: Hot water interacting with plastics during mixing can release millions of microplastic particles.
- Industrial processing and packaging: Formula is made, stored, and shipped in plastic-heavy environments/factories.
Key Study:
A 2020 study in Nature Food found that preparing formula in polypropylene bottles could release up to 16.2 million microplastic particles per litre.
Microplastics in Breastmilk
Recent studies (e.g., in Polymers, 2022) have detected microplastics in human breastmilk.
Likely sources:
- Ingestion/inhalation of microplastics by the mother.
- Transfer via the bloodstream and potentially through the placenta.
- Environmental exposure to plastics, even through food and air.
However:
- Breastmilk typically contains fewer microplastics than formula.
- No high-volume exposure like that found in heated plastic bottles or plastic-mixed formula prep.
What this means for parents wanting to reduce the exposure of microplastics to their babies?
- Breastfeeding, when possible, results in less microplastic exposure for the infant.
- For formula-fed babies, switching to glass bottles, using filtered water, avoid heating plastics, wear and use natural fibres, stick to certified organic beauty products, avoid plastic containers, avoid processed foods.
- Putting pressure on corporations that make formulas to reduce plastic usage and plastic/chemcial contamination during manufacturing.
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