It’s only normal for new parents to be curious about all the products they can introduce to their baby, especially their baby’s prepared formula. While breast milk is still ideal for babies during their developmental stage, knowing whether you can give her bottled water can be helpful. So, can you use bottled water for formula?
For many parents and caregivers alike, this article will help you with the basic information about bottled water so that you can decide which water for baby formula is ideal for your baby’s needs. If you want to learn more, feel free to continue reading.
Water for Baby Formula
Bottled water may be the best option for parents and caregivers who only want what’s best for their children. There is even low-fluoride bottled water available in the market made especially for babies, so you wouldn’t have to worry about too much fluoride when you mix the formula.
However, these products can be expensive, especially when compared to fluoridated water. Fortunately, there are various other products available when making baby formula.
Types of Bottled Water
Packaged Drinking Water
Bottled water is primarily sourced from lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. Manufacturers typically purify these products using UV rays to remove inorganic ions and other impurities to improve their water quality. Once the water supply has undergone the procedure, bottled water will soon acquire its unique flavor.
Mineral Water
Another bottled water product that you can use for infant formula is mineral water. Compared to other bottled water products, mineral water contains more dissolved minerals as it gets extracted from underground spring water or groundwater. When used for infant formula, mineral water for babies is okay as long as it has low dissolved minerals.
Distilled or Purified Water
Many would agree that distilled water is the purest form of water that you can use for infant formula. That’s because distilled water doesn’t contain minerals or even gases compared to tap water. What’s great about it is that it isn’t only used for baby’s infant formula, many industries also use distilled water for a couple of their processes.
Which Types Of Bottled Water To Avoid When Making Baby Formula
Baby formula is so important for your baby’s health, so it’s no surprise that you want to make sure your baby’s water is safe and clean. But what type of water for babies should you use?
It’s beneficial to use bottled water when you’re making baby formula. However, there are some types of packaged drinking water you should avoid.
Natural Mineral Waters and Spring Water
Natural mineral waters and spring water are often sourced from underground reservoirs and springs, hence the name. These types of water are unique in that they retain naturally occurring minerals and salts like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. While these minerals might be beneficial for adults due to their various physiological roles, they aren’t necessarily needed in the diet of infants, especially in high quantities. Babies are still developing their kidneys, which can be affected negatively by an overload of these minerals. This might lead to kidney stones, an issue that’s relatively rare but could be serious in infants. In such instances, distilled or purified water would be a safer alternative for babies.
Low Fluoride Bottled Water
Low fluoride bottled water, while relatively low in fluoride levels compared to regular tap water, is still not recommended for infant consumption. Fluoride is a mineral that is beneficial in preventing tooth decay, but too much of it may lead to a condition known as fluorosis. In mild cases, fluorosis can cause faint white lines or streaks to appear on a child’s teeth. However, in severe cases, it can lead to staining or pitting on the tooth surface. Infants are particularly susceptible to fluorosis because their baby teeth are still developing. Moreover, their small size means that what constitutes a “low” level for adults may actually be a relatively high dose for them. Therefore, even when considering low fluoride bottled water, parents should be mindful of their babies’ fluoride consumption and consider using a fluoride-free water source for formula preparation.
Can You Use Well Water for Baby Formula?
Although not entirely advisable, well water can also prepare milk formula. Even if municipal systems are available in most parts of the country, there are areas where they still use well water for their daily use.
Many of these wells aren’t regulated by health inspectors. So, using it for baby formula may result in bacterial contamination and lead exposure.
Besides boiling water, installing a water distillation or filtering system that can perform reverse osmosis can help eliminate germs and other bacteria from the water.
If you get tap water from the well, you should request your local municipality to test it regularly. Although it can be a rare occurrence, there may be times when toxin levels can be so high that it does more than damage a person’s dental health.
Can You Use Tap Water for Baby Formula?
Tap water in the country is safe to drink in most areas. However, boiling water is still advisable to ensure it’s safe to drink. Just remember to let it cool before using it to mix baby formula.
Boiling water effectively kills the germs and bacteria that might thrive in the water systems. Although municipal water systems go through various purification processes to keep the water clean, there are times when contamination can happen.
Old or leaky systems or calamities can damage the pipes. Thus, potentially putting water safety at risk of pathogen contamination which may cause bacterial infection when exposed.
Even more, every municipal water system puts fluoride in its waterways, which may put your baby’s developing teeth at risk. But what’s with fluoridated water, and how does it affect your baby’s health?
What if I Have No Choice but to Use Tap Water in Making Baby Formula
It’s crucial to remember that the quality of drinking water plays a significant role in preparing your baby’s formula. If you don’t have access to bottled water, there are a few precautionary steps you can take to ensure that your baby receives safe and clean formula when using tap water.
- Filter the tap water: To eliminate contaminants from the tap water, it’s essential to run it through a filtration system. If you don’t have one installed in your home, consider obtaining a portable alternative, such as a Brita pitcher or a faucet-mounted filtration system. Many grocery stores and supermarkets offer filtered water dispensers as well. Running your tap water through a filter helps remove contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals, and certain bacteria that might be present in your water supply.
- Boil the tap water: Before making the formula, be sure to boil the tap water for at least one minute. This process will kill any remaining pathogens (bacteria, parasites, or viruses) that may be present in the water supply. After you have boiled the water, let it cool down and sit undisturbed for about 30 minutes. This will help bring the water to a safe, manageable temperature while also allowing any sediment or particles to settle at the bottom of the container. Avoiding this sediment will further reduce potential contaminants.
- Check with your local water supply agency: It’s necessary to stay informed about the quality of the tap water in your region. Local water supply agencies generally provide water quality reports that contain information about the levels of various contaminants in the tap water. Familiarize yourself with these reports and, if you’re concerned, consult healthcare professionals or your baby’s pediatrician for guidance.
Taking these steps ensures that tap water can be a suitable temporary alternative for your baby’s formula preparation. The process involves filtering the water to remove most contaminants, boiling it to eliminate any harmful pathogens, and familiarizing yourself with local water supply reports to remain informed about your tap water’s quality. If in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional or your baby’s pediatrician to assess the best course of action for your baby’s nutritional needs. This way, you can ensure the safest possible formula for your child even when using tap water.
What You Need to Know About Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral found in nature. Alternatively, it’s also an active ingredient in various dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse.
Fluoride is an effective way to fight off dental problems such as tooth disease and dental cavities. However, too much fluoride can also have an effect on a child’s developing teeth.
When exposed to excessive amounts of fluoridated water, American Academy of Pediatrics members say that a baby’s teeth can develop faint white lines on their surface. A baby exposed to more than 1.5 mg of fluoridated water is at risk of developing mild dental fluorosis, especially once their adult teeth come in.
So, when choosing low-fluoride bottled water for your baby’s formula, you must read the label to see if it’s deionized, purified, demineralized, or distilled. Doing so will help you choose the best product for your prepared formula.
Do You Need to Boil Bottled Water?
Yes, you can boil bottled water. However, it’s unnecessary, especially if you purchase it from a trusted brand.
Boiling tap water for your baby’s formula is crucial in disease control and prevention, especially if there’s a known leakage or contamination in the area [1]. You must bring the water to a rolling boil for a minute to ensure that harmful pathogens will get eliminated to prepare baby formula safely.
However, you must let the water cool for five minutes until it resembles your body temperature before mixing infant formula. You need to put a few drops of the mixed infant formula on your wrists to gauge the temperature.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to use water from a safe and trusted source when preparing infant formula. If you have a baby that’s six months old and below, it’s highly advisable to boil tap water and let it cool to prepare baby formula safely.
Meanwhile, if your baby is at least six months of age or older, there’s no need to boil tap water. That’s because doing so doesn’t have to remove fluoride content mixed with the water.
Practical Tips When Mixing Your Baby’s Formula
When preparing your baby’s formula, it’s crucial to read the formula label printed on the packaging. You can also check reliable websites to learn tips to make the most of it. Here are a few tips that you can consider when preparing powdered formula for babies:
Start With the Water
Preparing the drinking water before adding the powdered formula is always a must. Doing so will make it much easier to create a concentrated liquid formula.
Boil Water if Necessary
AAP says premature infants, babies under three months, and weakened immune systems should consume concentrated liquid formula prepared with hot water. That’s because babies born prematurely have poorly developed immune systems, which makes them prone to water intoxication, slow growth, and even contamination.
Check the Formula Temperature
As previously discussed, you need to ensure that the prepared infant formula is at the right temperature before feeding it to your baby. You can run it in cool water or place it in an ice bath to let it cool down. Although boiling the water is an effective disease control method, feeding your baby without checking the formula temperature may hurt the infant.
Summing Up
Besides speaking with a pediatrician, AAP also suggests coordinating with the local health department in your area to know how much fluoride water is in the system before preparing your baby’s powder formula. Speaking with the local water company will also help you get your water tested for any potential contamination.
Bottled Water is entirely safe for babies, especially when it comes to formula preparation. Speaking with your baby’s doctor for advice when preparing powder formula is best.
