When I was a new mom, I had tons of questions in my mind when it came to preparing baby formula, and one of them was can I use spring water for baby formula? I thought of doing a little research online, and I found pretty interesting information, which made me a little worried. So this is why I decided to create a post, especially on this topic, to finally resolve all moms’ concerns.
One of the main reasons why choosing water for the baby’s formula is important is because this will be the second drink in your little one’s life after the breast milk. Since their immune system isn’t fully developed just yet, you must be careful and use water that is completely purified and safe from bacteria and germs.
Can I Use Spring Water for Baby Formula?
I wouldn’t advise parents to use spring water if it’s not purified and bottled according to the FDA standards, as it’s not safe for the baby’s health. The main reason for this is that spring water comes directly from natural underground sources, and it’s high in minerals and bacteria that can be harmful to your babies as their immune system isn’t strong enough to fight them.
Using Spring Water for Baby Formula
I understand the struggles of all new parents out there. I have been there, and let me tell you, there are many pretty basic things that you thought you knew and sounded like something of common sense but were much more complicated than that, and one of them was the doubt about whether can I use spring water for baby formula. One of those matters was choosing the best type of water to mix with my baby’s formula.
There are a lot of options, tap water or bottled water. And this was where the bulb above my head turned on – spring water, yes! It must be their best option, but how safe is it for use?
At what age is it recommended for your baby to consume spring water?
For this type of question, I would suggest talking with your pediatrician for a more accurate answer. However, if you ask me, I wouldn’t recommend giving your baby spring water before 6 months. The main reason for this is that they will drink significantly less milk and for other reasons I’ve mentioned above.
However, it would be an exclusion if your baby has a fever since you’ll need to provide more liquids.
How is spring water different from purified water?
As simple as it can get, spring water and purified water both come from the same source. However, the main difference is that the purified water undergoes a bit more rigorous purification process, which is why it doesn’t contain the chemicals that the spring water has.
On the other hand, spring water is sourced directly from the natural springs collected through boreholes.
When it comes to the FDA guidelines, both water types need to undergo strict regulations that ensure they are tested and filtered for any harmful sediments. If we compare them both, the purified water is a better option as it’s completely safe from any impurities, while the spring water still needs to be boiled before using it in your baby’s formula.
Related: Do You Have to Boil Bottled Water for Formula?
Using spring water for baby formula is good as long as it’s purified
As its name states, spring water comes from underground sources, and it’s considered to be pre-purified as it’s delivered through natural filters like clay, sandstone, and limestone. However, all of these factors cause a high level of minerals and other bacteria residue that can be very harmful if it isn’t mechanically filtered and processed.
So what I want to say is that since babies don’t have a fully developed immune system, all of these components can be very harmful to their health. In this case, the spring water must undergo further distillation and purification processes, so it’s free from bacteria, heavy metals, and other chemicals.
How to ensure the bottled spring water is safe
I wouldn’t like to intrude my opinion on any parents out there, and I will take as much objective perspective as possible. If you go to the store, you can see a lot of spring water brands promising that their product is completely pure and safe.
I wouldn’t trust these too much. And why is that? This is because when a company states this kind of fact, they mean that the brand only refers to the source of the water and not the water itself.
The production phase isn’t much different than the tap water, so in this case, what I would recommend is taking further safety precautions if you decide to use spring water for the baby’s formula.
Follow this tip for extra safety precautions:
Tips to prepare baby formula with spring water
Boil the spring water first
Most of the time, the brand states on the product packaging whether the spring water needs to be boiled. However, if your little one is born premature or is under the age of one, I recommend always boiling the water when using it for preparing baby formula.
Make sure the water comes to a boiling point and wait for a couple of minutes to ensure that all the germs and bacteria are killed. Then proceed to prepare the formula. Still, make sure the water is cooled.
I also recommend you make a trip for when you’ll have to travel.
Read more: How Is Baby Formula Made
Prepare the baby formula
When preparing the baby formula, it’s important to follow the instructions on the product label. So, depending on the formula type, it’s recommended to use boiled water to a certain degree.
After completing the previous step, ensure it’s cooled to the right degree. Otherwise, put the bottle in ice water and let it cool down for a couple of minutes, but be careful not to become too cold, and make sure to test the formula before you give it to your little one.
