Can prenatal BPA and paraben exposure affect your baby's birth weight?

What's actually in it

Bisphenol A (BPA) leaches from plastic food containers, canned food linings, and receipt paper. Parabens are preservatives in lotions, shampoos, makeup, and deodorant. Both chemicals act like estrogen in the body. During pregnancy, they cross the placenta and reach the developing baby.

What the research says

A 2026 cohort study in Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol tracked BPA and paraben levels in pregnant women and compared them to birth outcomes. The researchers found that higher exposure to these chemicals was linked to changes in birth weight and other newborn measurements.

The effects depended on which chemical and how much was present. Some combinations led to lower birth weight, while others affected head circumference or birth length. Low birth weight raises a baby's risk of health problems in infancy and later in life.

During pregnancy, switch to paraben-free personal care products and avoid canned foods with BPA linings. Store food in glass containers and skip receipts when possible, since thermal paper contains BPA.