What Water Do You Use to Prepare Baby Formula?

Updated on July 22, 2009
M.C. asks from Ann Arbor, MI
22 answers

I've heard several different stories on what type of water to use when preparing baby formula. With my son, it was ok to use tap water. Now I'm being told that tap water is not always best. Is nursery water better than city tap? What is the best way to go on this issue?

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N.W.

answers from Detroit on

I used tap water. It has floride in it. Actually it is probably much safer than bottled water. Tap water is regulated by the EPA...bottled water is not.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.L.

answers from Grand Rapids on

We have a well (recently tested) and I run the water through a Brita filter because I think it tastes better when I drink it.

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D.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

M.; do what is best for your budget and timing, i used tap water, had not problems i guess it dpends on where you live and is it normal to drink it yourself? if you drink it and prefer it i would go for it, i even used warm water, it was a warm bottle instantly. D. s

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K.A.

answers from Saginaw on

Hi M.!
I have 3 kids of my own plus own my own daycare. I always just boiled my water for their bottles. Or you can go to Babies R Us and get the Nursery water.

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K.S.

answers from Detroit on

WOW - everyone's responses are all over the map!!! I'm not sure if this is actually helping you with everyone saying something different. I wouldn't buy the nursery water just because I do think its a waste of money. Is nursery water just distilled water? Maybe if you can get that cheaper you could use it. I have a well and I absolutely LOVE it compared to tap city water. We have a reverse osmosis system so that is the water I use to mix my daughter's bottles and I consider this water to be superior to anything I've ever had in a bottle. In fact, if I buy bottled water I look specifically for spring water because I think it tastes better. I drink water a lot so I can tell the difference and I think regular city water has funny taste but I'm sure many people would say that about well water. I think I'm just lucky to have a really good water source. I would never go back to city water if I have the choice. Someone suggested boiling the water - if you want to save money and do tap I think that is a safe bet. If you do bottle water though becareful because like someone said some are really just tap water in a bottle so look for spring water or distilled. I hope this helps, before you make a decision maybe check with your pediatrician also. Good luck!

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D.D.

answers from Detroit on

My doc always recommended city tap water, which we always used. I always boiled it first (for my peace of mind) although it really wasn't necessary.

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

M. ~
One thing about bottled water, too, is that it doesn't have flouride in it like tap water does. The newest studies have shown that children are getting more cavities since bottled water has become popular because they're not getting the flouride that they should. I realize that the baby won't have teeth, but they still need it. You can always use a Brita filter pitcher (or whatever brand), which will take out alot of things. Or just boil the water then let it cool.
D.

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J.N.

answers from Detroit on

I'd stick with tap. There isn't a lot of testing on bottled. If you feel more comfortable with filtered water, then just get a water filter. I used bottled when tap wasn't easily accessible, but it definitely wasn't my mainstay. It's just too expensive when you are preparing formula all the time.

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K.K.

answers from Saginaw on

the water just needs to be treated with flouride. Most city water is...so if you are on a city system, use tap water, if you are on a well...buy nursery water

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K.V.

answers from Detroit on

Hi M., the problem with bottled water is that it isn't monitored much at all, although there is one kind that uses detroit city water(i think it is aquafina, check the label) and that is the best water in the country, believe it or not. Well water is what I used but I had it tested, pretty easy and cheap at your local water place or you can send it in to the county(i jsut took it to douglas water and paid 20 bucks).

If you use bottled then make sure it IS NOT spring water, it needs to be purified. When I bought bottled, I bought the nursery water (you can get it most places) and it says "nursery water", it has the minerals left in and is tested for flouride, babies need that, but not too much. City water out of the tap is one of the easiest ways to go, and it is tested regularly, run it for a few seconds before you put it in the bottle to clear the lines of any bacteria.

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L.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hello M.,

I do know that people used to use tap water but it was my understanding the preferred way is nursery water now. That was when my son was born 4 years ago.

Good Luck, L. S.

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A.I.

answers from Lansing on

M.
i used bottle water with my girls when i could nolonger brestfeed tap water is no good

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

The standard for tap water is very high.. it is tested at least once an hour. Tehre is no such standard for bottled water.

If you live in an area with city water I would use tap water. ifyou are on a well that you are not comfortable with then maybe you should buy bottled water.

I would ask my physician.

but there is very little testing of bottled water.

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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi M.---The section on water in my wellness classes suggests carbon filtered water. This class is taught by a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition. Reverse osmosis water removes important minerials. Tap water contains chlorine which is a known carcinogen. The type of flouride put in municipal water should be avoided as well. It is an industrial byproduct and not the kind that is found in foods. I can share data with you about the dangers of flouride, including a higher risk of bone cancer in adolescent boys. Go to www.mercola.com and seach there for starters.

Your best bet for optimal health would be to put in a whole house charcoal filter. Leaves the mineral in the water but removes harmful impurities.

Call me if you have any questions. In health, Dianei
###-###-####

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

buy a bottle of distilled water at the grocery store last time I bought it it was 65 cents. Use that for baby formula or you can boil water for 5 min let it cool and store it in a glass easy to pour container and use that. I would use bottled water nothing out of the tap filter it and i am not crazy about the bottle water but i use it n the go.

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S.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

If you have a well, I'd go with bottled water. If you have city water, tap should be fine. They have very high standards and if you have any questions about what's in the water, call the local city offices. The contents of the water are public record. I live in Wyoming and they actually mail home a flyer every quarter with the results of water testing.

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A.S.

answers from Detroit on

My doc said to use tap since I have city water. The floride is good for their developing teeth

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S.C.

answers from Detroit on

Hi M.,

I remember hearing a story on the news (Fox 2) not too long ago about this very issue. From what I remember hearing bottled water does not have the same strict water quality standards that tap water does. Tap water is monitored by federal safety standars while bottled water is monitored by the Food and Drug Administration. Another thing to note is that the Detroit water system is the cleanest/best in the nation and in the world. Check out this article:
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/money/How_Pure_Is_Your_Bo...

I hope this helps some,

S.

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S.A.

answers from Saginaw on

If you have city water (not well) my pediatrician says to use tap. She says nursery water is a waste of money. I agree.

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M.F.

answers from Detroit on

i have always used tap water it has floride in it that the baby needs it is also ok to use bottle water but it get costly at times i have 3 kids 9 7 and 6 month

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

I've never heard of nursery water. If you can get a water treatment set-up in your kitchen that would be best. Because tap water carries with it a lot of lead and other things you may not want to have in you or your baby. I'm not an Amway seller, but that's what I have in my kitchen. They aren't cheap, but one of THE best on the market because it catches 99% of impurities because it uses a BLOCK of carbon instead of carbon crystals. That does make a difference in what comes through. Look in your white pages for Amway and you should find people you could contact and purchase from. If that's what you decide on. Brita is carbon crystals and although it's better than tap water, it still doesn't catch the bad stuff like a carbon block would.

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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

Have you thought about breastfeeding? I admitd that I am biased about this, but they keep finding more and more reasons why it's the best! You can find a LaLeche League group and lots of info at www.llli.org. You'd never regret it, I'm sure!

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