The Best Nontoxic Water Bottle to use in Pregnancy
If you’re reading this, you are probably pregnant- congratulations! At the time of writing this, I am also pregnant. Pregnancy is such a particular time. Alongside nutrition, there is an emphasis on consuming enough water during pregnancy. The containers we use to hold food and drinks matter; what better way to nurture your pregnant body than the best nontoxic water bottle?
Amount of Water
ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recommends drinking 8 to 12 cups of water daily to promote a healthy pregnancy (1). This equates to 64 ounces to 96 ounces a day! Remember that while most sources consider tea and coffee to count toward total water intake, they can also act as a mild diuretic and have a dehydrating effect when consumed in excess. While the effects are usually mild, increasing water intake further if you are pregnant is generally advisable to ensure proper hydration.
Drinking enough fluids promotes many health benefits, including reduced swelling, decreased morning sickness, decreased constipation, healthy amniotic fluid, and support for higher blood volume during pregnancy. Drinking this much water can sound overwhelming if we do not have a suitable vessel. Investing in a large water bottle will ensure you get enough fluids to support your health and your growing baby.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Many pregnancy symptoms can be relieved with inadequate fluid intake. Signs of dehydration include muscle cramps, dry mouth, feeling of thirst, dark-colored urine, headache, and fatigue. If these symptoms are present, or to avoid these symptoms, adding a squeeze of lemon or other fruit juices to your water is a great way to help restore electrolytes and add vitamin C and other essential nutrients.
Contaminants in Water
While increased water consumption is essential, water quality is equally important. In general, drinking tap water during pregnancy is not recommended. Several studies show a positive correlation between tap water consumption during pregnancy and birth defects.2 Frequent contaminants in water include PFAs (3), lead (4), and the industrial chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) (5). The presence of these contaminants plays a vital role in our health.
BPA is in bottled water and plastic bottles. Most recently, scientists have developed technology that detects high levels of microplastics in the placenta of pregnant women. This study (6) found the increase in microplastics in the placenta has a positive correlation with the consumption of plastic, namely bottled water. At the same time, this study (7) also states the potential risk of the increase of microplastics found in amniotic fluid. These findings can be alarming; however, you can decide where your water comes from with this knowledge.
Tips for Reducing Contaminants in Water
- Filter your water at home either through a pitcher or water filtration system such as a reverse osmosis system
- When traveling, it is a good idea to bring a large water bottle filled with filtered water from home with you
- Reduce plastic use overall, especially with single-use water bottles
Top Recommendations for a Nontoxic Water Bottle
- Glass
A glass bottle is the ultimate nontoxic water bottle during pregnancy; this is the safest material for a water bottle. While glass can break, my favorite water bottle brands include a silicone sleeve to cushion the bottle and a hook for easy carrying.
- Stainless steel
A stainless steel water bottle is the second best option. These tend to be more durable and more challenging to break. Also, the insulated bottles can act as a hot water bottle for tea or keep beverages cool for much longer. The downside, however, is that many can contain high levels of lead, which can leach into the water.
The infamous Stanley Cup, sadly, has been tested for high levels of lead. Stanley countered this claim, stating once the cup is sealed, the stainless steel layer covers the lead, leading to no exposure to water. The lead is covered; however, many individuals have stated that with typical usage, this lead piece can be removed from its location, making me hesitant to recommend this water bottle brand.
- Material not recommended
Reusable plastic water bottles are not recommended. Yes, BPA-free water bottles exist. However, the BPA is replaced with another plastic called bisphenol S (BPS). It is debatable whether BPS is a safer alternative to BPA. However, a recent study (8) found that BPS can cause hormonal effects in the body that are equivalent to or worse than BPA.
Plastic is linked to premature birth and high blood pressure, two things we want to avoid during pregnancy. When the reusable water bottle heats via the sun, this magnifies the amount of contaminants introduced into the water. Keeping all of this in mind, I have vetted several water bottle brands and can now share a list of my favorite nontoxic water bottle brands.
Favorite Water Bottle Brands
Bink has designed a glass and silicone “Mama Bottle” that is 27 ounces. This bottle has time-tracking markers to ensure you keep up with your water intake throughout the day! Bink also sells car cup holders to accommodate the large size. Bink recommends filling this 3x a day for pregnancy and 4x postpartum (consistent water intake is essential for breast milk supply!).
With a silicone sleeve and hook on the lid, breaking this bottle is unlikely. If it breaks within the first year of purchase, Bink asks that you only pay for the shipping of the replacement bottle. That is what I call customer service! The sleeves also come in 17 different beautiful colors. With free shipping on orders $50 and over, this is my top recommendation for a nontoxic water bottle.
BKR’s water bottle is break-resistant glass. They come in a silicone sleeve and have a silicone straw option. There are several sizes, including 32 ounces, 22 ounces, and 16 ounces. The larger size allows for fewer refills and promotes more frequent drinking! Fill the 32-ounce bottle twice, and you will have hit your water goal for the day!
Check their sales page for a discounted price on select items. They also have a 30-day warranty, which promises to replace the bottle if it breaks within the first 30 days. With free shipping in the US over $50, this is my second recommendation for a nontoxic water bottle.
Use this link for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.
The Hydro Flask bottle is my top stainless steel bottle recommendation. Tested for heavy metals, the company prides itself in its manufacturing process to ensure a lead-free product. The standard cap is plastic; however, they have additional accessories, including stainless steel reusable straws. Their bottles range from 24 ounces to 40 ounces.
They also have a popular tumbler in 32-ounce and 40-ounce sizes. Their warranty includes a limited lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects for the product’s life. They have free shipping on orders over $39 and often run sales! The Hydro Flask is a great option if you want to opt for a stainless steel bottle.
In Conclusion
Whether you are newly pregnant or in your second trimester, the good news is it is never too late to make the switch to a nontoxic water bottle. It is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. The journey to a less toxic life is ongoing, and every small change is a step in the right direction for your health and your family.
If you’re on the journey to less-toxic living and curious about washing your newborn baby’s clothes and what detergents are safe, check out this article.
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Sources
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30400949
3. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health
5. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10593309/
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724011835