Microplastics are part of the world we live in, and as parents, many of us have concerns about what this means for our children's health. While we can’t avoid them entirely, understanding what microplastics are and making a few simple changes can help us reduce exposure over time.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments that form when larger plastic items break down. They can also be released directly through the everyday use of plastic products, especially when heat is involved. Due to their small size, microplastics spread easily and become embedded throughout the natural environment, finding their way into oceans, soil and air.
How do microplastics impact my child?
According to a 2024 study, plastic feeding bottles and breastmilk storage bags may expose babies to thousands of microplastic particles each day, which may disrupt developing body systems and increase the risk of long-term health effects.
For further scientific reading regarding the impacts of microplastics on child health and development, refer to this paper.
How can I reduce my child's exposure to microplastics?
With microplastics showing up in so many forms, we’ve highlighted a few of the most common sources and where you can make practical, simple swaps.
Our top tips for reducing microplastic exposure while feeding
Best pick: Experts agree that glass, silicone or stainless-steel bottles are the safest option for your baby as they don't leach microplastics when heated, sterilised, or shaken.
That said, we completely understand that plastic bottles are often a more affordable option for families—and switching to a new bottle isn’t always easy. If plastic is what works for you right now, just make sure it’s BPA-free and in good condition. You’ll also want to make sure the bottle has no scratches or cloudiness.
Following these five simple steps can also minimise exposure when using plastic:
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Boil water and sterilise your bottle, then rinse with cold water.
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Sterilise a glass container and measure the required volume of boiled water into it.
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Allow the water to cool slightly and prepare your formula directly in the glass container.
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Transfer the cooled formula into the sterilised bottle.
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You’ll want to handwash your bottles as using a dishwasher can degrade your plastic faster due to the strong heat applied.
Our top tips for reducing microplastic exposure in play
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Best pick: Choose wooden or silicone toys when possible.
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Air out smelly toys: If a new toy has a strong plastic smell when you first open the packaging, set it aside and allow it to air out before introducing it into play.
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Store unused plastic toys: Store toys that aren’t in use in closed boxes and away from direct sunlight, to reduce the risk of chemicals being released.
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Regularly ventilate the playroom: Open windows and allow airflow through the room so that any chemicals released from plastic toys don’t accumulate in the enclosed space.
Microplastics in clothing and home furniture
Polyester and other synthetic fabrics are major contributors to microplastic exposure. Clothing, rugs, throw blankets, sofas and bedding made from these synthetic fabrics often shed fibres through regular use and can introduce microplastics into your living space.
Our top tips for reducing microplastic exposure in baby clothing
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Best pick: Choose natural fibre materials, such as cotton, linen, bamboo, silk or wool.
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Vacuum regularly: This will reduce dust particles carrying microplastics in the air and prevent curious children from finding and putting dust bunnies in their mouths.
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Informed shopping: While shopping for your child, be sure to read the label closely to identify the fabric type and blend.
While it’s impossible to eliminate microplastics completely, there are plenty of meaningful steps we can take as parents. Learning about microplastics can be overwhelming and even worrying at first, but remember: knowledge is powerful. By making these simple, intentional switches, we can proactively reduce our children’s exposure to microplastics and give them the very best start in life.
