Curious what other are using?

Question

I have a 4 month old daughter; she was born 5 weeks early. I'm worried about using tap water, even filtered. I'm concerned about minerals and whatnot. We've been using distilled water to mix her formula. Is this ok? I've asked her doctor, but she tells me to use what I'm comfortable with.

So, my question is: What do/did you use to mix your baby's formula?

I would appreciate if those "breastfeed only' types would NOT respond. As I stated my daughter was born prematurely and I could only pump for her (she was unable to latch on) and I was only able to do so for 4 weeks before my supply dried up.

jessan925 - TY

Answer 1

I second that with the obnoxious breastfeeding moms!! I was in the same situation (my daughter was 4 weeks early) I used distilled water until she started to cut teeth and then I switched to nursery water which is distilled water with fluoride added. You can get it anywhere.. walmart, babies-r-us and my local publix foodstore has it. you are doing a great job and dont let anyone tell you otherwise!

Answer 2

When my son was born, I did what every first time mom does. I used only bottled water to mix formula. Then I got to the point that I just started using tap water for the conveniece. Your baby is old enough now that you shouldn't have to worry about minerals or anything in your tap water. If you drink it and are ok, then why can't she? She will eventually be drinking water from your tap anyway when she gets older. I have my third baby and from when she was first born, I used tap water for her bottles, she is just fine. If you are worried about introducing it to her, do it in moderation, like say you make an eight ounce bottle, fill 6 oz with your distilled water and 2oz of tap water, then every week or so start increasing the amount of tap water and decreasing the amount of distilled water until you are solely filling her bottles from the tap. Another factor for consideration, if you are on city water and not a well, the city has probably put fluoride into the water, your baby's doctor and dentist will tell you that this is essential in the growth of her healthy teeth. However, you must do what you feel comfortable doing, you are your baby's mother, only you can decide how to raise your baby and what to give her and what not to give her. I wish you the best of luck in deciding what to do. Go with your instincts.

Answer 3

For the first two months or so, I used bottled water (not necessarily distilled...just spring water, bottled water, nursery water...basically whatever didn't come out of my tap at home, lol). My sons' pediatrician said that's not necessary as long as you live in an area with clean drinking water and you don't have a well. If you have a well, you should buy nursery water to mix formula. Distilled is fine for a while, but at about 3 - 4 months old, your baby needs flouride that's in city water or nursery water. When both of my boys were a few months old, I switched to tap water, and they're fine. I lived in an area that had some of the cleanest drinking water in the country, so I was comfortable doing it. If you're concerned, I'd continue using bottled water, but switch your daughter to nursery water so she can get the flouride (even if she doesn't have teeth yet, she still needs it for her developing teeth).

Answer 4

I use tap water.

We had our water tested before I gave birth (we have city water - the water dept will do a test for free). The reason I use city water is that they treat the water with flouride, and with our daughter, I wanted to give her the benefits of that for her new teeth.

If you do buy water, try to find the stuff they treat with flouride. I have seen it in the infant section at Wal Mart. But tap water is fine - I have been doing that since my daughter was 3 months old - she is 11 months now, and very healthy - no ill effects from using tap water.

Call your water department - they will usually come out and test your water for free or a very small fee (I've heard of $20). Typically, city water is fine - well water is more of a concern because it is not treated, and there could be unknown minerals in the pipes.

Answer 5

My daughter was 5 weeks early too. I used bottled drinking water with her because I don't trust my water at home, I don't even drink it. When I'm at my mom's I just use tap water because I trust her water. Like your doctor said use what you're comfortable with. If you have a filtration system like water on your fridge or whatever then you can use that and it won't harm your baby at all. Mine is 8 months and 3 years and they are both doing fine. My oldest was 6 weeks early and I used plain ole tap water for her from the very beginning.

Answer 6

If you want to know the *right* answer (as opposed to just the experiences), please call the manufacturer. Tap water does contain minerals--essential ones in addition to sometimes harmful ones. If the formula is made to be mixed with tap water and you use distilled instead, you could be depriving your daughter of nutrition. However, if you use tap water when you should be using distilled, you could be giving her *too much* of something. You should never use bottled water because it definitely has too much of some minerals.

Answer 7

I used tap water. I have heard that tap water has fluoride that can help protect babies teeth that is not in bottled water. I feel that buying water is just a waste of money. Formula is expensive enough all on its own. Plus you can take that extra money you are saving and buy all those really cute outfits.

Answer 8

I was in your shoes not too long ago ( my son is 13months old now) and I also worried about what water to use... after much debate and research, I used boiled tap water... I used a pot and boiled his water everyday.. I used this water until his last day of formula usage... his 1st birthday! My pediatrician said that was fine and cheaper than buying bottled water and that nursery water....

Answer 9

I did exactly what you are doing. Both my husband and I were concerned of what may have been in our tap water. My son's pediatrician like yours said that same exact thing. However, ours suggested that should we continue to use botteled water to use a water with flouride. When I told the doctor that water with flouride was difficult to find the doctor prescribed a flouride prescription that we would give a dropperful to our son every morning.

Answer 10

I am a nutritionist

as long as you use city water tap is fine for a baby of any age

if you have well water use distilled if you do not have the well checked regularly