In all essence, all water should be the same. But if you look at it closely, you’ll soon see the difference between each water, especially from where it’s sourced.
So, if you’re debating whether to use tap water or bottled water for your kid’s baby formula, then continue reading. This content will discuss the different water based on its sources, including a few more pieces of information to help you determine which water is best for baby formula.
The Different Types of Water to Use for Baby Formula
Tap Water
Tap water is the most readily available water for baby formula. You can find it in every municipal water source country, including the water from your kitchen sink or dishwasher.
Although many people are skeptical about using tap water for their baby’s formula, it is safe to drink across most parts of the country. Even more, it’s much cheaper compared to bottled water.
However, it isn’t free of any potential contamination, either. Although municipal water sources go through industry regulations to prevent lead and other harmful contaminants, there are times when contamination can happen. Also, public water supplies may contain too much fluoridated tap water, making them susceptible to fluorosis.
Mineral Water
Another type of water that you can use for your child’s baby formula is mineral water. Unlike tap water from municipal water sources, mineral water comes from natural springs, making it an ultimate source of minerals such as magnesium and calcium.
Since mineral water contains healthy minerals, it provides a few health benefits you wouldn’t usually find with any other water source. Besides promoting healthy digestion, it promotes strong bones and teeth and can even prevent the risk of anemia, among many others [1].
Glacier or Spring Water
Glacier water or spring water comes from sources where it got its name– either from the glacier or a spring. These waters should be toxin-free and relatively clean. They may also contain minerals found in mineral water.
However, this type of purified water comes at a price. While it may contain the same minerals found in sparkling water, it’s more expensive than other purified water types on the list.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is another excellent choice for those looking for purified water for their growing babies. But can you use distilled water for formula?
Distilled water is excellent for baby formula, especially if you’re visiting areas with questionable water supplies. But unlike other bottled water types, distilled water for baby formula doesn’t have any benefits.
Infused Water
Flavored water, or infused water, is a drink made with water, artificial sweeteners, or sugar. It’s a tasty alternative to tap water or bottled water when making baby formula.
Infused water is an excellent choice for parents with kids who want something different from distilled water. You can either get pre-made infused water or make one by infusing the natural juices from fruits and vegetables directly into the water.
However, excessive intake of infused water can cause your baby to gain weight. Even more, it can also cause them to develop diabetes, which is why some people prefer fluoridated water.
Alkaline Water
Another bottled water option that you can consider is alkaline water. Compared to other water on the list, alkaline water has a high pH level than tap water and mineral water. Because of it, some people believe that it can neutralize a person’s acid level, halt the aging process, and may even prevent the development of cancer.
Although it’s generally safe to drink compared to tap water, the reduction of stomach acidity may cause your body’s ability to kill off potentially harmful bacteria from the stomach. Also, exposure to excessive amounts can cause alkalosis, which could cause a person to experience vomiting and nausea.
Well Water
Well water comes from below the ground, which is commonly untreated and may contain several risks. For areas near wells, it’s a convenient way to access fresh drinking water. However, since it’s untreated, it may come with several risks, which can be dangerous when used for your baby’s formula.
Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your well water is safe to drink. Besides boiling water, you can get your well water tested for bacterial contamination. You can also see how much fluoride it contains as you measure its pH level. It’s also highly advisable to install a filtration system to turn it into purified water.
Understanding How Water Gets Contaminated
Water pollution is a global problem that every country faces these days. Although most municipal tap water sources are excellent for preparing infant formula, there are times when it can still get contaminated.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency performs regulatory processes to ensure that the public water systems’ water quality is safe. However, there are times when contamination may happen, and you would need more than boiling tap water to ensure that it’ll be safe for human consumption.
Germs and other potentially harmful pathogens can penetrate the water source’s distribution system even after it’s been treated. Thus, causing everyone in the community to suffer from various health problems, including chemical and germ exposure.
Although boiling water can work in biological contaminants such as germs and bacteria, it can’t do anything to remove chemicals such as nitrates and pesticides. Boiling water can also reduce the water’s volume, increasing the contaminant’s concentration.
How to Make Sure Water is Safe For Babies
Before using any bottled water for baby formula, it’s always best to determine if it’s safe. So, the first thing that you need to do is to get the water tested. Although tap water typically has fluoride to address tooth decay, you’ll never know if it has too much fluoride that’ll affect your baby’s teeth in the future. Even more, there could be potentially high levels of lead, which can also be unsafe for babies, especially when mixed with infant formula.
Besides buying bottled water, you can also buy bottled water to ensure that what your babies drink doesn’t have too much fluoride. You can also consider installing a filtration system or boil tap water instead.
How to Introduce Water as Your Baby Grows
Breast milk or your baby’s formula should always come first from the ages of 6 months up to 1 year. But as your child grows, you can start offering at least 2-3 ounces of bottled water at a time.
Introduce Flavored Water
Flavored water can be a fun way to introduce water to your baby. Besides buying bottled water with premixed flavors, you can also try fresh fruits and mix them with their low-fluoride bottled water.
Give them fruits and vegetables
You can also start giving your babies fruits and vegetables with more than a few drops of water. It’ll keep them hydrated without the need for low-fluoride bottled water.
Give them a specially-designed drinkware
Another way to make drinking water fun is by using a fancy cup with their favorite colors. So, before you boil tap water, you can wait for it to cool down until you mix your baby’s formula. Then, you can put the drinking water inside their drinkware to make it more fun.
Consult Your Pediatrician
Choosing the best water for your baby’s formula is essential to keep them safe during their formative years. It would be best to speak with your pediatrician to learn a few tips to help you mix infant formula. Besides boiling tap water, you can also get purified bottled water to protect them from potential contamination.
I hope this article helped you to find the right answer. If you have a question, please don’t hesitate to comment down below.
