What Water to use for Preparing Baby Formula?

As parents, nothing is more important than ensuring your little one gets the best nutrition. At Organic Formula Shop, we make that more accessible by providing Premium Organic Baby Formulas. Still, it would be best if you also were very selective of the water that goes into it. This guide will help you understand what water to use for your formula and how to prepare it.

The Best Water for Your Baby's Formula

Regardless of your water source, we recommend always boiling your water before mixing it with formula. Doing so will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present in the water while still keeping as many minerals in the water as possible.

Bottled water
Bottled water can provide a safe and convenient way to mix formula for your baby when on the go or away from home. However, it's essential to choose wisely when selecting an option. Aim for low sodium levels (below 200 mg/liter) and sulfate (under 250mg/ liter). This will ensure that you're providing clean hydration with every bottle prepared.

Can I use Regular Tab Water?
Tap water can be convenient and safe, but parents should watch for fluoride levels. Too much of it (over 0.7 mg per liter) can cause white streaks on children's teeth, known as enamel fluorosis, once they have teeth. So alternating between tap water with added fluoride, distilled or filtered, is key to protecting little ones' smiles! To prepare the powdered baby formula, the water should be low in sodium, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, sulfates, and manganese. Babies should be provided with clean, healthy water and relatively low mineral content. Contact your city authorities to learn more about your local area's quality and safety standards, or enter your zip code here.

Ensure your home has healthy tap water, which should be checked regularly to ensure it's safe. This could be done via your local health department also. If you have healthy water or are concerned about the safety of your drinking water, always boil it before using it to make the formula.

3 steps to prepare the Baby Formula

So now that you've chosen a water source based on your situation and needs, you need to prepare the formula safely and reliably. There are three basic steps in this process.

#1: Boiling Water
To ensure your safety, start by thoroughly washing and sanitizing all equipment. Follow these five steps to boil water before using it to make Infant Formula:

• Pour cold tap water into a pan
• Bring the water to a rolling boil on the stove
• Allow the water to boil for 1 minute
• Take the pan off the heat and allow the water to cool for 30 minutes before preparing a bottle

Once prepared, cool the bottle off by running it under cold tap water or placing it in ice water. Aim for 104 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Before bottle feeding, always test the bottle's temperature by putting drops on your wrist before giving it to your baby!

 
#2 Mixing the Formula

After boiling water, add 2/3 of the desired amount of water to a bottle. Then add the total amount of formula powder, according to the Feeding Chart, using the scoop included in the package. This Formula Feeding Charts page provides clear guidelines on the amount of water and formula powder to use in your baby's bottle at various stages of growth.
After placing the nipple and lid onto the bottle, shake it up for about 15 seconds until everything is dissolved. Add the remaining 1/3 of water, then double-check that the temperature has dropped to around 98.6°F (body temp) before feeding time. If it needs more cooling, run it under cold water or place it in the refrigerator. Once ready, give the bottle to your baby immediately.

Tip: If you want to warm the bottle, run it under warm water or place it in a bowl of warm water (never use the microwave!)

#3: Storing Prepared Formula
After your little one begins to feed, check the time. This is because if there's any remaining formula in the bottle, it must be discarded within one hour from the beginning of a feeding. The reason is that the bacteria from your baby's mouth will affect the formula after this hour.

You can premake formula and then store it to give to your baby later by following these guidelines for proper storage:

• A bottle can be left at room temperature for no longer than two hours.
• In a cooler or ice pack, a bottle can be stored for four hours.
• A bottle can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
• Never freeze-prepared baby formula.
  
  

Recap

When it comes to preparing infant formula, safety is a priority. Many parents wonder which kind of water is best for making infant formula. Tap water is often safe, and if you aren't sure about your tap water, ask your baby's healthcare provider or your local health department. Water from a well needs to be checked regularly. Bottled water may be an option, but it's essential to consider what kind of bottled water is and how long it's been on the shelf. Make sure to boil the water so that you are ensured that no bacteria are present.

Fluoride is essential to prevent cavities, but too much can cause mild white stains on teeth, called fluorosis. Be sure to talk with your baby's healthcare provider about the type of water you're using to make bottles and whether or not it has enough fluoride to meet your baby's needs.

Most importantly, no matter which kind of water you end up using, be sure to follow the preparing instructions on the formula container to ensure you are mixing the formula correctly every time. Hence, your baby gets the nutrition they need!

Any questions?

If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact our friendly and dedicated support team.
Please shoot us an email at support@organicformulashop.com. We're here to help!