When having a newborn, it is essential to take extra precautions, especially when dealing with the baby’s food. Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding the baby, but in today’s society, we also have the option to use baby formula. Boiled water, no matter what type, is the universal solvent to eliminate bacteria and contaminants before mixing with formula. But what if you’re on the go? Can you use bottled water for baby formula when you are out of the house and away from your kettle?
Formula milk has all the necessary minerals and nutrients that a growing baby needs. Before we answer the question of whether you can use bottled water for baby formula, let’s know what formula milk is.
What Is Baby Formula?
There is no replacement to breastmilk as food for the baby because nothing can be formulated identical to breastmilk’s natural components. When it comes to feeding a newborn baby, baby formula is the next best thing. Baby formula is carefully designed with the appropriate nutrients that a growing baby needs. A newborn requires a substantial amount of carbohydrates, fats, as well as protein to cater to the growth of the child’s developing body and brain. Baby formula is modeled to deliver these three essential nutrients, at the same time, mimics the taste of breastmilk.
It is possible to alternate baby formula with baby food after a while, but baby-formula is essential for being the first food if breast milk is not available. Baby formula is made of ingredients that we are familiar with, including plant-based oils and cow’s milk. It also contains micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which are vital in boosting the immune system.
Baby formula is usually in powder form, so it should be diluted with water before feeding it to the baby. Water can contain minerals that may already be found in baby formula, and since a newborn is still sensitive to what goes into its system, these minerals may do more harm than good. It is essential to know what water is safe to use in mixing baby formula and answering the question of can you use bottled water for baby formula because it sounds like the most reliable choice.
Bottled Water
Bottled water has been around for 100 years and is recognized to be our source of quick, convenient hydration. Bottled water follows a strict standard protocol when it comes to its manufacturing quality. Because it is mass-produced, it is considered a consumer food by the FDA.
Bottled water has several types, and the FDA states that the kind of water should be clearly printed on its label. Knowing what type of bottled water is essential in answering the question, can you use bottled water for baby formula.
Types Of Bottled Water For Babies
There are different types of bottled water to mix with powdered formula. We’ll go through them one by one to see which one works best for your baby’s nutritional requirements.
Spring Water
Bottled spring water comes in two varieties, natural and purified. To obtain natural spring water, the manufacturers must dig deeper underground, surpassing the reservoir of well water. Purified spring water is water from a local source, like tap water, that is filtered for contaminants and bacteria.
Is It Safe To Mix With Formula?
- Natural spring water, because it comes from a natural source, may contain harmful bacteria for the baby and is not advisable to use with formula unless it is boiled first.
- Purified spring water is safe to use for baby formula and is also up to FDA standards. But everyone has mixed feelings regarding this matter, and some would still prefer to boil purified spring water before mixing it with formula.
Distilled Water
Although some may argue, distilled water is still a type of bottled water. Distilled water is water boiled down into steam, evaporating into a basin, and condensed back into a liquid. The process takes away all the contaminants and bacteria that water may pose and brings with it the essential nutrients that waters have—leaving an ultra-clear liquid that may not necessarily provide you with any minerals that regular water offers.
Is It Safe To Mix With Formula?
To answer the question can you use bottled water for baby formula if the water is distilled, the answer is yes. Because baby formula already has all the necessary nutrients and minerals, distilled water acts as an excellent solvent for baby formula. Distilled water is quite reasonable to use with baby formula, although it should not be given in excess.
Because distilled water has all its essential nutrients and minerals removed, it does not contain fluoride, electrolytes, and calcium. These three nutrients are crucial in the development of a baby’s teeth and bones and replace nutrients lost during sweating.
Nursery Water
Nursery water is a form of bottled purified drinking water that has been branded for babies. This may be the most definitive answer to the question can you use bottled water for baby formula because this type of bottled water was intended for this reason. But this may not be your only and first option, because depending on what the label states, some may contain high amounts of fluoride.
Conclusion
I hope this article has answered the question, can you use bottled water for baby formula. Just remember when choosing the best bottled water to mix in with baby formula, check the label first. If you want the best, make sure that the label states that the water is low in fluoride or has undergone reverse osmosis.
Although any bottled water that has been purified, distilled, demineralized or deionized will work fine with formula, it never hurts to go the extra mile with boiling each type. Unlike an adult, a newborn baby is very susceptible to bacteria and harmful contaminants, especially in water. Keeping safety as a number one option is always an excellent choice because it makes life more secure and provides you with true peace of mind. Know more about baby diet.