Once you embark on your formula journey, you may be thinking about a few things. Are you investing in a formula maker? Do you have to use bottled water? And the list goes on.

When it comes to water, clean tap water is the best water for preparing infant formula, although there are other options. If your water is unsafe, you only have access to well water that may have contaminants, or your baby is susceptible to infection, it’s best to boil the water first before preparing formula. In addition to using clean water, be sure to prepare the formula in a safe manner to avoid contamination.

One important thing is fluoride. Fluoride is good for your baby because it helps prevent tooth decay. You will need to use water to make a formula that contains some fluoride. But too much can cause fluorosis, which looks like pale white lines or streaks on the teeth. However, it does not affect the health of the teeth and can only develop before the baby’s teeth erupt.

If you are on public water, check with your local water company. If your tap water is fluoridated or contains significant natural fluoride (0.7 mg/L or more), consider using an alternative, low-fluoride bottling water source. Here’s more on exactly what to look for in the water you use for your little one’s bottles.

What water to use with the formula

Not sure what to mix your baby’s formula with? Here’s a quick guide.

Tap water

If possible, use clean, fluoridated tap water to make your baby’s formula. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency regulates tap water and sets legal limits for certain contaminants. Tap water is almost always the safest option for your baby, as long as there is no known local contamination. If you are concerned about the safety of your tap water, check with your local water company. You can also ask your local water company to test your water.

If you live in an old house that may have lead pipes, run the faucet for two minutes each morning before using the water for cooking or drinking. This reduces the possibility of contamination with lead and other minerals. Also, test the water for lead, as exposure to lead can be harmful to a child’s growth and development. If you’re concerned about lead exposure, talk to your pediatrician about getting your child tested for lead in their blood.

If your tap water is impure, boil it before using it to make your baby formula. Boil the water for one minute to kill any bacteria. Then let it cool for five minutes before pouring it into bottles or other containers and adding the appropriate amount of powdered formula. (You always want to measure the water first and then add the formula powder.) Measure the formula water after boiling, not before, as some can evaporate and change the measurement.

Another reason you might want to boil the water, even if it’s clean, is if your baby is particularly susceptible to infection. Babies younger than 3 months, born prematurely or with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to bacterial infections. For any baby who falls into one of those categories, it’s a good idea to boil the water you use to prepare the powdered formula and mix it while the water is still hot (at least 158 ​​degrees Fahrenheit or 70 degrees Celsius) to kill any germs.

Water filters

While you don’t have to use a water filter (like a Brita filter or the filter on the water dispenser in your fridge) for the water used in baby formula, it’s okay to do so. Different water filters remove different types of potential contaminants, such as hard minerals, nitrates and chemicals. Read the label on your water filter to know exactly what it is designed for.

One thing to keep in mind is that some water filters can remove fluoride from the water. If this is the case, your child may not be getting enough fluoride. If you think your baby may not be getting enough fluoride, talk to their doctor – they may suggest fluoride supplements when your baby is 6 months old.

Water from the well

If your water comes from a well, test the water to make sure it’s safe before using it for baby formula. If your well is not considered safe to use for formula (or you are unsure of its safety), you can most likely boil it to make it safe to use for formula for your baby. It would be a good idea to check with your baby’s doctor about any specific concerns you have about the water you use.

Bottled water

Bottled water is fine to use in formula, but because it’s more expensive than tap water, experts usually don’t recommend it. One case where you might want to use bottled water in addition to tap water is to reduce the amount of fluoridated water your baby is getting.

Any bottled water you buy in the US must meet the Food and Drug Administration’s water quality standards, which are at least as stringent as the EPA’s standards for tap water. Bottled water can also be helpful when you are traveling and are unsure of the quality of the water you have access to.

Distilled water

Distilled water is water that has been boiled to steam and then liquefied back into water. This is done to make it extra clean.

Distilled baby water is safe to use with their formula occasionally or alternated with tap water. While it’s nice to know it’s clean, the downside is that distilled water doesn’t have any electrolytes or minerals (including fluoride) that your baby might need. Talk to your baby’s pediatrician before using distilled water in their baby formula if that’s something you’re concerned about.

You can also see “nursery water” in stores – it’s just more expensive distilled water and you don’t have to use it when preparing the formula.

You can always talk to your child’s pediatrician if you are unsure about the water you are using. They can help you decide what might be best for your baby.