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Safe Water Bottles for Kids

The water bottle your child drinks out of may or may not be safe for kids. Many types of plastic water bottles are made with Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a chemical that has been known to leach small traces out of plastic materials and into foods and beverages. If you want to make sure your child is not exposed to BPA, look for BPA-free water bottles.

  1. BPA-Free Bottles

    • BPA-free water bottles are made out of plastics that do not contain Bisphenol A. These types of water bottles typically advertise that they are BPA-free, so parents and other consumers can easily identify them among the many options of water bottles out there. Aside from BPA, you should make sure there are no other toxic chemicals that can potentially leach into the beverages in the water bottle. Always check to see if the product has an ingredients list and look up the compounds that are unfamiliar to you.

    Durable

    • Give your child a water bottle that is durable and will not break if it accidentally falls to the floor. Kids are known to accidentally drop things from time to time. The more durable the water bottle is, the less concern you need to have about your child getting injured from accidentally dropping it.

    Lightweight

    • A lightweight water bottle is safer than one that is heavy. Remember that your child will be using the water bottle when it is full of liquid, which will make it heavier. As such, find a lightweight water bottle that your child can easily maneuver. You also don't want the water bottle to be heavy in case your child accidentally drops the bottle on his foot. Plastics may be more lightweight than stainless steel water bottles.

    Choking Hazards

    • Identify any potential choking hazards on the water bottle you select for your child. For instance, check to make sure the bottle cap is not choking-size, or that it is connected by a latch to the water bottle so it cannot come off and end up in your kid's mouth.

    Design

    • Find an age-appropriate water bottle design for your child. Some toddlers are not ready for a streamlined water bottle and require one that has a built-in handle with a sippy top. Many water bottles also come with a stem tube that the child sips out of, which may be better for younger kids.

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