I am breastfeeding but am going to need to occasionally supplement with a couple of ounces or formula. Can you mix the powdered formula with water right out of the tap or do you need to treat it in some way or use bottled water? I'm a bit clueless about this. Thanks!
If you do use bottled water, then you need to use the water that fluoride added to it. Infants and children need the fluoride in their water. Fluoride helps prevent toothe decay.
When my kids where babies, if I felt uncomfortable about the tap water, I boiled it for ten minutes. Just in case.
Hi N.,
L. the Lactation Consultant, here.
Using tap water may not be the best option for mixing powdered formula. The EPA recommends that parents NEVER draw WARM tap water to prepare infant formula:
"Do NOT boil water to attempt to reduce lead. Boiling water
increases lead concentration.
Always use water from the cold tap for preparing baby formula, cooking, and drinking. Flush pipes first by running the water before using it. Allow the water to run until it�s cold.
In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level of lead (0.015 milligram per liter)can result in delays in physical and mental development,along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Very old and poorly maintained homes may be more likely to have lead pipes, joints,and solder.
However, new homes are also at risk: pipes legally considered to be �lead-free� may contain up to eight percent lead. These pipes can leach significant amounts of lead in the water for the first several months after their installation. For more information on lead contamination, see www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/lead.html....;
Source: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/wot/pdfs/book_waterontap_ful...
Since you're breastfeeding the majority of the time, baby will receive nutrients necessary for health and development through your milk. An occasional bottle of formula mixed with bottled water may be the better option.
Happy Mothering!
L.
Hi N.,
It should be ok, if you don't have a water filter on your refrigerators Most of them do and then I always warmed my up in the microwave, but when you are in a pinch, I say go for it!
Good rule, if you would not drink it, then your baby shouldn't either.
If you buy the gallon + size waters at Wal-Mart, they are great and aren't too expensive.
Good Luck!
Gladys
As long as you live in a city and are using city treated water you can just use tap water. If you live out where you are using well water or something similar you need to use bottled water.
D.
The way I look at it... I don't drink tap water so I don't expect to give my baby tap water. I make all of his bottles with bottle water. It is a little more expensive but I feel like it is better quality, especially with the drought, the water doesn't taste very good.
