Tags
babies, baby, bottle feeding, formula feeding, parenting, research
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote this post about the fact that, contrary to what new parents are often advised, breastfed babies do not need extra water in hot weather. I mentioned that the situation was a little different when it comes to formula fed babies, and also that it is important to be careful when using bottled water either to supplement the fluid they’re getting in hot weather, or to make up their feeds in the first place.
This is important because of the mineral content in many bottled waters, which may be dangerously low or high for small babies. The safest water to use in the UK is tap water, which must be boiled and used no cooler than 70C to make up the feed. Then it must be allowed to cool further before you give it to your baby. The high temperature is to kill any bacteria that might be present in the powdered formula.
But what happens if you’re abroad, in a country where you can’t trust the tap water? Well, there are some bottled waters that are safe to use. What you need to know is that some bottled water is regulated, and some isn’t. In general, bottled water that says ‘natural mineral water’ on the label is not regulated and could be dangerous for your baby to use.
The safest way of checking, though, is to check the sodium and sulphate levels on the label. To be safe to give to a baby, they must have:
less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre of sodium (sometimes written as Na)
less than 250mg per litre of sulphate (sometimes written as SO or SO4)
You may find that what you read on the label contravenes what you’re reading here. Some manufacturers have started producing bottled water for babies that says things like ‘no need to boil’ on the label. Please ignore such statements – all bottled water, unless it is labelled specifically as sterile, should be boiled.
If you boycott Nestle, you may also want to avoid the following bottled water brands that are owned by Nestle, although clearly this is an ethical issue, not a safety one!
Aqua Panna
Aquarel
Buxton
Contrex
Perrier
Pow-wow
San Pellegrino
Santa Maria
Valvert
Vittel
You can find more information on the NHS website, and, if you’re interested in the politics of bottled water for babies, there is also detailed information on the Baby Milk Action website.
Please share this post with anyone who may be formula feeding and isn’t yet aware of the bottled water issue – it seems that it’s shockingly not widely publicised.
I live in France and am a formula feeder. They advise bottled water over tap water here, and there is a little logo on the bottle and the text something along the lines of “suitable for the preparation of baby food”. I was never told by the midwives or my paediatrician to boil the water, in fact they said it wasn’t necessary (different practices in different countries – yet another example).
We use Evian (due to the fact that my mother in law insisted and it was an easy battle to give in to) but there is also Cristalline. Vittel is a no-no, as is in fact any type which doesn’t specifically say it is suitable.
I don’t know what, if anything is wrong with the tap water – I suspect nothing much – but I’ve followed the advice for an easier life.
That’s really interesting. Yes, advice certainly differs in different countries. Many don’t even sterilise bottles!
The French used to be very strict about that but in the last year or so have moved sterilising bottles to optional, as long as they are washed OK. I tend to sterilise, but have slipped up on occasion when I’ve been in a hurry.
As for heating milk – the packets suggest they should be heated to body temp (not enough to kill any bacteria I think you’ll agree) – there is no advice about heating to 70°. Consequently, and since my daughter prefers her milk cold I haven’t heated at all. It’s only in the last week that I read the UK guidelines and realised what was recommended over there.
The UK guidelines have changed fairly recently, in response to the times that dangerous bacteria have been found in tins of powdered formula milk, as I understand it. I think the risk is very low, of course, but anything that minimises it is worth governments making recommendations on I suppose!
QUOTE: bottled water that says ‘natural mineral water’ on the label is not regulated and could be dangerous for your baby to use END QUOTE
So what does it say on the ones that are regulated/safe? Thanks
Anything but ‘natural mineral water’ Martina as far as the guidelines say. Also checking the amounts of sodium and sulphates in them against the list will confirm whether or not its safe.
Thanks