Why You Should Feed You Baby Purified Water?

Water is essential for all life forms. It is hence essential for the well being and development of a baby. Impure or unclean water will contain toxins that will make the baby sick or cause diseases and defects.

It is best to use purified water for babies and boiled water for a baby as boiling kills the germs. If boiling the water isn't an option, parents should carefully find trustworthy bottled water manufacturers and check the packaging for the minerals in the water. Only then should the parents proceed to use bottled water for baby formula and food.

Types of Bottled Water:

Bottled water will be available in your local markets in three forms –

•    Distilled water

This water is free of dissolved minerals and impurities. It is pure water. Distilled water is not usually sold for ingestion. It is usually used in industries, laboratories, and hospitals. It isn't easily found in markets. Since it doesn't contain anything other than water molecules, it is bland in taste.

•    Packaged/ Purified water

Water is taken from any source – lakes, rivers, ponds, or tap- is then first treated with UV light and subjected to water purification systems like reverse osmosis. It contains few of the naturally found minerals in it. It tastes better than both distilled and mineral water.

•    Mineral water

The water is taken from a source and packaged for sale. It contains a lot of minerals. The minerals may be naturally found on the water from the source or added during packaging. This water is good for health as it contains most of the required minerals. It tastes good too.

What Are The Water Requirements For Babies?

According to the American and British healthcare authorities, water used for consumption by babies must have the given requirements:

•    Water should have less fluoride content. Most of the packaged water available has about 0.11 ppm of fluoride in it. It is safe for consumption, but parents should look for water that may contain a lesser amount of fluoride.

•    The sodium content of the water shouldn't exceed 250mg/L of water. Excessive sodium hinders cell growth and cell processes.

•    Sulfates, i.e., chemical compounds with SO4, should only be present with a maximum concentration of 250mg/L. Higher-level affects bone formation.

Should You Boil the Bottled Water?

It is not necessary to boil bottled water if it is purchased from a trusted brand. However, if the parents aren't sure about the water's cleanliness, they can boil it. Boiling water is always a safer option as it kills all unknown germs. Bring the water to a boil and let it continue to bubble for at least a minute. This will eliminate the bacteria and germs from the water.

While traveling, parents should purchase water only from a trustworthy manufacturer as boiling the water isn't possible enroute.

Can Bottled Water Replace Tap Water:

It is safe to use tap water for Baby food and formula if it does not contain known environmental and chemical toxins. It's not necessary to use bottled water if the local water supply has clean water.

What is The Difference Between Baby Water and Bottled Water?

There isn't any significant difference between baby water and bottled water. Baby water is just processed, packaged, and sold separately. It is also sometimes called nursery water.

Can You Use Bottled Water for Baby Formula?

Bottled water is perfectly safe and can be used in the preparation of formula for the baby. If the water being used is marked as sterile and does not need to be boiled before. Make sure that the brand is approved by your country's food safety regulations authority. If the bottle is not marked as sterile, boil the water and rapidly cool it to the body temperature, i.e., 37°C or 98.6°F, before adding to the formula.