What Bottled Water Is Safe for Babies?

If you are searching for a type of water to use in order to mix your baby’s formula, or simply wondering what kind of water you can give your baby to drink, you may wonder which types of bottled water are best for him 1. It is best to follow the advice of your baby’s doctor when it comes to the type and amount of water that your baby needs, but in general, it's best to choose bottled water with low amounts of fluoride.

Enamel Fluorosis

Many water sources contain fluoride, including some types of bottled water. Your baby will also be exposed to fluoride from food and some types of toothpaste. Too much exposure to fluoride can result in enamel fluorisis, which begins when your baby’s teeth are still forming in her gums and can result in white spots on her teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that bottled water labels may not indicate the water’s fluoride concentration, so it is best to contact the bottler to make sure your baby is not getting too much fluoride.

Safe Bottled Water

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Although it's best to ask your baby’s doctor about which type of water is best for him to drink, bottled water labels that use the terms purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled, or prepared using reverse osmosis often indicate that the water is low in fluoride. If your baby is sick, his doctor may recommend that you boil the water for one minute and allow it to cool before use.

Importance of Fluoride

Although too much fluoride can cause enamel fluorosis, fluoride is still important. It helps prevent tooth decay and strengthens your baby’s teeth. According to Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., your baby’s doctor may recommend that she use a fluoride supplement beginning at six months of age if your baby drinks only nonfluoridated bottled water.

Time Frame

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The BabyCenter website notes that your baby only needs to drink breast milk or formula for the first six months of life 1. If he is given water too early, he may experience water intoxication because his kidneys are unable to handle the water overload. When he is six months old, he can have small amounts of plain water as long as the water does not replace his intake of breast milk or formula.

Bottled Water to Avoid

Avoid giving your baby bottled mineral water 3. The sodium in mineral water can be too hard on your baby’s digestive system. You should also avoid giving her carbonated water, which can cause stomach problems and gas pains.