As a parent, I've been increasingly concerned about the health risks posed by BPA, a known endocrine disrupter that mimics the human hormone estrogen. But did you know that even polycarbonate or lacquer lined aluminum drinking bottles contain varying amounts of BPA?! As such, Stainless Steel water bottles are indeed an attractive alternative.

Innate Gear, a Canada-based retailer, prides itself on “Clean Design” - which combines an efficient use of materials and a minimum amount of embellishment to create products with pleasing aesthetics and excellent suitability to task. These design principals are followed up with a environmentally and ethically “clean” approach to producing their products, a collection that includes food and beverage containers and travel accessories. I just love their motto : Your planet. Your choices. Your gear

The stainless-steel Innate Me-Me Gripper they sent over is a good alternative to plastic sippy cups. As you can see from the picture, it also has a unique look that my little one just loves, and it's 100% BPA free! Features:

• Ergonomically shaped, spill-resistant spout features an inner silicone valve to control the flow rate of liquid
• Easy-to-hold handles provide a secure grasp; handles and lid are removable for cleaning
• Bottle is made with premium stainless steel that is toxin free
• Inner surface is finished with an electrolyte charge and dolomitic sand blasting; finish is completely BPA free
• Certified food-grade polypropylene threaded opening and screw-top lid seal securely to eliminate leaks
• Lid is interchangeable with other Bilt bottles

I've used it to give water and juice to my kids and there's been no difference in taste or anything else.  And I just wash it in the dishwasher when it comes time to clean and it has emerged unscathed.

The second product I received was the Innate Vite V2 stainless-steel bottle which gives kids a colorful and safe container to keep their water in. Its features include:

• Easy-to-use sip top enables drinking on the go; loop on lid lets you clip bottle to a bag with an accessory carabiner
• Bottle is made with premium stainless steel that is toxin free
• Inner surface is finished with an electrolyte charge and dolomitic sand blasting; finish is completely BPA free
• Certified food-grade polypropylene threaded opening and screw-top lid seal securely to eliminate leaks
• Bottle is sized to be held by small hands and features easy-grip indents on the sides; bottle will fit in most car seat beverage holders
• Bottle opening and thread pattern are compatible with many major water filters

With both these products, I found the same con. The tip of the flow control valve comes out the top of the lid and my toddler loves nothing more than to dislodge it by pushing it down or trying to pull it out. It can't be pulled out. But when pushed down or even when it is shaken (or thrown, as kids love to do with their bottles), the valve easily comes loose and falls into the cup. Whatever liquid it happens to contain then comes sloshing out and the controlled flow is a thing of the past. The sippy cups we've used before just had a tiny hole above on the lid, corresponding to where the valve is inside the lid and as such there wasn't much a curious toddler could do to it.

Other than that, I'm happy with these safe, stainless steel alternatives to other products, even if these aren't exactly up to par.

Innate Gear has a variety of other products for kids as well as adults. To check them out, as well as for information, visit http://www.innate-gear.com/.

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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