Is silicone a plastic? Good question (in short, yes, it is). Here are some others... Is it a rubber? Is it natural? Is it synthetic? What the heck is it?

Link to HEORSHE

And most importantly: Is it safe?

What is Silicone?

The plastics industry considers silicone a plastic, and so do we, regardless of much of the green marketing claiming it is not a plastic.

Technically, silicone could be considered part of the rubber family. But, if you define plastics widely, as we do, silicone is something of a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a synthetic plastic polymer. Silicone can be used to make malleable rubber-like items, hard resins, and spreadable fluids.

We treat silicone as a plastic like any other, given that it has many plastic-like properties:  flexibility, malleability, clarity, temperature resistance, water resistance.

Like plastic, it can be shaped or formed and softened or hardened into practically anything. But it is a unique plastic because it is much more temperature resistant and durable than most plastics and has a low reactivity with chemicals. And while water resistant, it is also highly gas permeable, making it useful for medical or industrial applications where air flow is required. It's also easy-to-clean, non-stick, and non-staining, making it popular for cookware and kitchen utensils.

So what exactly are silicones (or siloxanes, as their backbone chemical structure is called)?

Many people seem to think they are a natural material derived directly from sand. Not so.

Like any plastic polymer, silicones are synthetic and include a mix of chemical additives derived from fossil fuels. The key difference from the common carbon-based plastics we describe here is that silicones have a backbone made of silicon. It&#;s important to get the terminology right here, and there are three distinct related substances to understand:

• Silica:

  When people say silicones are made of sand, they are not incorrect, though that&#;s too simplistic a description. Silica&#;or silicon dioxide&#;is what they are referring to. Silica is the raw material used to make silicone resins. Beach sand is practically pure silica, as is quartz.

• Silicon: This is the base element that makes up silica, but silicon is not generally found in nature in this elemental form. It is made by heating silica at very high temperatures with carbon in an industrial furnace.

• Silicone (siloxane): The silicon is then reacted with fossil fuel&#;derived hydrocarbons to create the siloxane monomers (alternating silicon + oxygen atoms) which are bonded together into polymers to form the backbone of the final silicone resin. The quality of these silicones can vary greatly depending on the level of purification done. For example, the silicones used to make computer chips are highly purified.

Thus, while most plastics have a polymer backbone of hydrogen and carbon, silicones have a backbone made of silicon and oxygen, and hydrocarbon side groups - all of which gives them plastic-like characteristics.

Silicone is often used for baby nipples, cookware, bakeware, utensils, and toys. Silicones are also used for insulation, sealants, adhesives, lubricants, gaskets, filters, medical applications (e.g., tubing), casing for electrical components. 

Is Silicone Safe? 

Many experts and authorities consider silicone completely safe for food use. For example Health Canada states:  "There are no known health hazards associated with use of silicone cookware. Silicone rubber does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes."

Scientific American reports that in the US Food and Drug Administration determined silicon dioxides&#;the raw material for silicone products&#;were safe for food-grade applications. However, the first silicone cookware only appeared a decade later (e.g., spatulas) and no follow-up studies were done to assess whether silicone cookware leaches anything potentially harmful. 

The fact is, there has not been a lot of research done to date on the health effects of silicone.

Nonetheless, our own research and review of peer-reviewed scientific studies that have been done indicates we should begin to be cautious about silicone.

Here are some highlights:

• Silicones are not completely inert or chemically unreactive and can release toxic chemicals. They can leach certain synthetic chemicals at low levels, and the leaching is increased with fatty substances, such as oils. 

• One study tested the release of siloxanes from silicone nipples and bakeware into milk, baby formula and a simulant solution of alcohol and water. Nothing was released into the milk or formula after six hours, but after 72 hours in the alcohol solution several siloxanes were detected.

• Another study found siloxanes being released from silicone bakeware, with leaching increasing as the food fat content increased.

• A review of the literature indicated that the key critical effects of common siloxanes, as shown in animal studies, are impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity ( Report by the Danish Ministry of the Environment: Siloxanes - Consumption, Toxicity and Alternatives).

• The European Union considers certain siloxanes to be endocrine disruptors (Study on enhancing the Endocrine Disruptor priority list with a focus on low production volume chemicals, ENV.D.4/ETU//00w28r)

• Silicone tubing commonly used for medical applications has been shown to leach several chemicals, including dioctyl phthalate ( study in International Journal of Pharmaceutics: 

  Extractables/leachables from plastic tubing used in product manufacturing

• Silicone intravenous devices have been shown to leach silicone and cause local inflammation ( Study in Archives of Disease in Childhood:  Plastic migration from implanted central venous access devices)

Recyclability 

Low recycling rate.

Silicone does not biodegrade or decompose (certainly not in our lifetimes). Silicones are very persistent in the environment.

Silicones are recyclable, but not likely through your local municipal recycling program. You likely would have to take them to a specialized private recycling facility. Such specialized recycling companies will typically down-cycle it into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines.

Our Approach 

Relatively safe. But silicone is not as inert, stable and chemically unreactive as many claim. Use with caution, and if you can find an alternative, use it. 

As you can see from our product line, we carry a number of items that contain silicone, usually in the form of seals or gaskets. Silicone has become a standard high quality seal for products requiring an airtight watertight seal, and a suitable alternative has not yet become available. Natural rubber can be a good alternative for things like soothers and bottle nipples, as long as there is no risk of rubber allergy.

For now, we are comfortable continuing to carry products that have high quality, food grade or medical grade silicone parts. We balance the toxicity information stated above with the knowledge that silicone is a high quality, relatively stable material, and leaching of chemicals from other plastics is of much greater concern.

Some basic tips for safe silicone use:

If you are going to use silicone, be sure it is high quality, food grade or medical grade silicone and does not contain any fillers. 

• To test a product for fillers you can pinch and twist a flat surface of it to see if any white shows through. If so, a filler likely has been used. As a result, the product may not be uniformly heat resistant and may impart an odor to food. But most importantly, you will have no idea what the filler is and it may leach unknown chemicals into the food. For all you know, the filler may be a silicone of low quality or not silicone at all.

• Bottle nipples and pacifiers should be safe, but best not to put them in the dishwasher, and if they get cloudy or worn out, replace them (ideally, they should be replaced every six to eight weeks). Natural rubber is another option, as long as your child does not have an allergy to natural rubber latex.  

We feel uneasy about silicone cookware.  

• While silicone is durable and has a high temperature resistance, it makes us queasy to be heating food to very high temperatures in a material like silicone which has been shown to leach chemicals and is not completely inert and stable. 

• There are excellent glass, ceramic and stainless steel options for cooking and baking. Yes, we do consider silicones a safer alternative to Teflon and similar non-stick cookware that may have perfluorinated chemicals, but we would opt to use it only when there is really no other choice. We just don&#;t like the idea of it being subjected to such extreme temperatures while in direct contact with food (often oily food).

• Things like silicone oven mitts, utensils (spatulas, spoons), splatter guards and pot holders should be fine given the minimal amount of time they are in contact with food. But again, we prefer to avoid them for direct food use where possible. We get rather queasy about leaving a silicone spoon soaking in a simmering batch of tomato chili, or a spatula flipping burgers on a hot, oily griddle or flaming barbecue.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While we strive to provide as accurate and balanced information as possible on our website, Life Without Plastic cannot guarantee its accuracy or completness because there is always more research to do, and more up-to-date research studies emerging -- and this is especially the case regarding research on the health and environmental effects of plastics. As indicated in our Terms & Conditions, none of the information presented on this website is intended to be professional advice or to constitute a professional service to the individual reader. All matters regarding health require medical supervision, and the information presented on this website is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician.

Regardless of how you choose to feed your baby, at some point, you will need to buy a few bottles and teats. Though the task may sound simple, it is actually very difficult because the options can be overwhelming. There are countless models to choose from.

Let us help you make the best choice. Will you use silicone or latex teats? At first glance, it may be difficult to know the difference. Let&#;s review the telltale sign of a latex nipple and understand the differences between these two common teats.

Latex Teats

The very first teats were composed of latex. These teats were an incredible development because they allowed for the diffusion of baby bottles. These latex teats also allowed for sterilization. This was a big deal because the most similar material, &#;black Indian rubber&#; released a very pungent smell after heating.

Vulcanized rubber was invented sometime during the s. In , Elijah Pratt, from New York, patented the first rubber nipple. However, this nipple would not be produced in bulk until the early s.

Characteristics of Latex

Latex nipples are very soft, malleable, and feature a bold amber color. This yellow coloring allows moms to easily distinguish which teats are latex. Another common characteristic of latex teats is their ability to retain flavors and scents. This scent retention can be incredibly comforting or terribly disturbing for babies.

The telltale sign that a latex teat is worn out is the development of a sticky coating on its surface. Latex teats will develop a sticky coating when they start to break down, this typically occurs after two months. Regardless of the material you choose, always check the teats for signs of wear and tear. Nipples need to be replaced regularly to guarantee the baby's safety.

Advantages

Latex teats have been around for over one-hundred years. They offer many advantages and benefits. Let&#;s take a look at the top advantages offered by latex teats.

&#; The material is relatively inexpensive.

&#; Latex is often softer than silicone and features a natural, skin-like texture.

&#; This material is resistant to tearing and piercing.

Disadvantages

Latex does have a few disadvantages as well. Let&#;s review the disadvantages of using latex teats.

&#; Though rare, your infant could have an allergic reaction to latex. Allergies can be also a problem for the mother or the father when they have to clean and handle the nipple.

&#; The material retains odors, which could be displeasing to some infants and mothers.

&#; Edible fats and direct sunlight cause latex teats to deteriorate more quickly.

For more silicone feeding bottlesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Silicone Teats

Silicone teats took the world by storm in the s. These teats have quickly become the most commonly used nipples for baby bottles across the world. The popularity of silicone teats is because silicone is a man-made, highly durable material that does not retain scents or flavors and it&#;s 100% non-allergic. This last feature has been probably the most powerful drive for the success of silicone nipples. Many mothers also prefer silicone teats, due to their easy appearance.

Characteristics of Silicone

Silicone is a man-made material that is clear in color. This material is much stiffer than latex teats. But, the material offers much more heat resistance, which allows the teat to receive efficient sterilization. Silicone teats are currently the gold standard in the baby bottle industry.

Advantages

Silicone teats are the most commonly used nipples today. Listed below are the incredible advantages of using silicone teats.

&#; The clear appearance of silicone teats is preferred to amber latex teats.

&#; Silicone retains no odor or flavor.

&#; There have been no reports to date of a baby being allergic to silicone.

&#; This material is durable and capable of withstanding higher temperatures.

Disadvantages

Like every other product, there are some disadvantages to silicone. Mothers may prefer latex teats to silicone teats due to these disadvantages.

&#; These teats are more expensive than latex teats.

&#; The material is harder than latex and more likely to cause nipple confusion.

&#; Silicone is less resistant to tearing and piercing than latex.

Which Teat is Best for Baby?

Whether you decide to breastfeed or not, you will eventually need to purchase a bottle and teats. But, which teat is the best for your baby? That is the question every mom must ask herself. Silicone teats are by far the most common option for baby bottles worldwide. They are more durable and most importantly proven safe for babies. But, silicone teats are much more firm than latex and this causes nipple confusion and discomfort for your little one. This could cause your infant to refuse their bottle even if they are starving.

Our Solution: The Teatle

As we have seen, the material building the nipple can have an impact on the functioning of the baby bottle but there is a lot more to that. What about the shape and consistency of it? Could these factors be important as well? Here at the Teatle, we think that another kind of bottle is possible and that&#;s why we designed this new product with one idea in mind: getting as close as possible to breastfeeding so babies won&#;t experience anymore the issues of nipple confusion and baby bottle refusal.

The revolutionary REALATCH&#; technology in our teats takes some of the guesswork out of bottle feeding. These teats are composed of premium silicone but offer a natural skin-like texture and color. This may comfort your baby and encourage them to take a bottle when necessary because they are the closest thing to breastfeeding ever made to date!

Want more information on Dental-Care Sippy Cup? Feel free to contact us.