Q: Is Using Spring Water For Baby Formula Safe? (Know The Facts)

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There are several significant misconceptions concerning the usage of spring water, which is frequently seen as a secure and organic option for baby formula. Is spring water truly the ideal choice for infants? Does it have all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that babies require? What about pollutants like bacteria? To ensure your baby's health and safety, it is crucial to understand the facts regarding spring water. Continue reading to discover more reasons why spring water might not be the greatest option for infant formula.

TL;DR

Spring water is the best choice for preparing baby formula.

  • It is free of contaminants and minerals that can be found in tap water.
  • It has a neutral pH level, which helps to protect babies from digestive issues.
  • It is easy to find and affordable compared to other types of bottled water.

Learn more about why spring water is the safest and most cost-effective option for preparing baby formula!

Are you thinking about giving your baby spring water?

***NOTE: Take control of how much water you drink per day with a high-quality personal water bottle. Lifestraw bottles can filter water from practically any source, giving you clean drinking water wherever and whenever you need it.

Can you use spring water for baby formula?

What is spring water, anyway?

Spring water is water that comes from a natural spring. It may be bottled directly at the source with nothing done to it at all, or it may be treated or processed enough to remove contaminants and pollutants while preserving the good qualities of the spring water.

One of the biggest reasons why people like to drink and use spring water is because it contains a lot of minerals the human body needs in order to survive and feel good in the process. However, these minerals may not be ideal for use in baby formulas.

In this article, we’ll break down the reasons why you should probably avoid giving your baby formula mixed with spring water. You’ll be able to find out what the risks are and weigh them against any benefits, too. You can use this information to make a decision about what you think is best for your baby, and you may even want to spread this knowledge on to other parents you know as well.

If you’re looking for more information about spring water for use in baby formula, we’ve got everything you need to know below. Read on to learn more.

Spring Water for Baby Formula

It’s very important to have a solid understanding of the relationship between spring water and your baby, especially if you’ve been considering using this type of water to mix formula for your child. Here are some facts to keep in mind about using spring water for baby formula. Read through this section to get a better idea of whether or not this is the right decision for you and your baby.

do you have to boil bottled water for formula

1. Spring water contains a lot of minerals that are not good for babies.

Babies do not need to be exposed to most of the minerals present in this type of water, and in some instances, it can be very dangerous to do so. Babies are capable of getting just about everything they need from the formula itself or from breastmilk, and this is why most pediatricians recommend using distilled water or purified water for mixing formula. This way, you aren’t giving your child anything more than just what he or she needs to survive and thrive in a healthy way.

  • Formula contains the minerals your baby needs already, so if you mix it with a type of water that is also packed with minerals, you may risk seriously harming your child with mineral overdosing. This is a very real condition that can be potentially fatal for smaller infants, so be very careful.

2. Spring water does not contain fluoride, which is actually good for babies who are a little bit older.

Younger babies do not need fluoride, but as they age past about 12 months, they start to need a little bit in their regular diet. Most babies can get this from the introduction of tap water into their routines, but if you are giving your child formula mixed with spring water—or if you’re giving your child spring water to drink instead of tap water—your little one is not getting the fluoride he or she needs.

is it ok to use tap water for baby formula

3. Spring water may have contaminants.

One of the biggest concerns with using spring water for your baby’s formula is that it may have contaminants or pollutants in it. Most spring water is filtered or treated in some way to remove these contaminants, but not all of it is, especially if it’s the type of spring water that isn’t intended for drinking purposes. If this is the case, you should absolutely not use it for your baby’s formula at all.

  • Spring water may contain heavy metal pollutants, chemical pollutants, sediment or dirt, and microorganisms. Again, this is not very common, but it is a possible risk you need to keep in mind.

4. It is possible to make spring water safe for babies by purifying it, such as running it through a filter. 

If you purchase spring water that’s already been purified, this is a good step, but chances are it still contains a lot of minerals you don’t need to give your baby. Therefore, it’s crucial to run your spring water through a high-quality filter once more at home to strip it of the pollutants and minerals that may still be present in it.

  • A refrigerator pitcher is not usually good enough to filter this type of water. You should make sure you have a very high-quality and powerful home filter if you’re going to go this route. Otherwise, chances are good you won’t be able to remove enough of the minerals and contaminants to make the water safe for your little one to use.

5. If you filter your baby’s water, be sure to use the right kind of filter. 

Use activated carbon whenever possible, as this type of filtration system will help you remove what needs to come out of the water without replacing it with anything you don’t need. Using something like a sediment filter is a step in the wrong direction.

  • Most home water filtration systems operate on a carbon filter design, so chances are good if you already have one in your home, this is the type.
best bottled water for baby formula

Conclusion

So what do you think? Were you able to learn a little something about the relationship between spring water and your baby’s formula? You may be surprised to find out just how bad for your baby spring water really can be. In fact, it’s usually advised not to give this type of water to children at all until they get a little bit older and are not on formula at all anymore. If you want to give your baby the best and safest formula option, you should stick to distilled water or even tap water, depending on how the water quality is where you live.

Should you totally avoid spring water, or can you use it if you prefer to? We feel that it’s probably best to avoid spring water altogether, since there are just too many risks to take into consideration to make it seem worth using for your baby’s formula. If, however, you find yourself in a situation in which you need to use spring water for whatever reason, make sure you filter it thoroughly with a good quality water filter, even if it is already purified. If you cannot do this, then it’s better to use a different type of water and avoid the risk instead.

Additional Research:

https://community.babycenter.com/post/a65303857/spring-water-ok-for-formula
https://ccbw.com/what-water-should-i-use-for-my-infants-formula/

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Spring Water for Baby Formula

  1. Look for spring water that is free of contaminants and pollutants.
  2. Choose spring water that has been tested and certified by a third-party laboratory.
  3. Check the label to make sure the spring water does not contain any added minerals or chemicals.
  4. Opt for spring water that is bottled in glass containers, as plastic can leach chemicals into the water.
  5. Make sure the spring water you choose is sourced from a reliable source with a good reputation.

ALSO: Consider using a home filtration system to ensure your baby's formula is made with clean, safe spring water!

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About The Author

Joseph Bartley
Editor-In-Chief
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Joseph Bartley, also known as the WaterFilterFanatic, is a seasoned content writer who specializes in water filtration and water quality topics. On AllAboutWaterFilters, he has written a range of water filtration system reviews, water health and quality articles, swimming pool, hot tub and aquarium filtration guides, DIY methods to assist people clean their drinking water, and much more. Joseph enjoys spending his time working with the #AllAboutWaterFilters Editorial Team to provide some of the best quality water filtration content available on the web.

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