Question for USA Mummies - Can I use tap water to make up feeds?

[eldar]

I am holidaying in the states and I will be bringing along all the powdered formula that we need for two weeks - My question is do you boil tap water in the USA or use bottled water to make up your feeds?

I'm going to Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite and then San Fransisco.

If you do use bottled water then do you have a brand you can recommend that isn't high in minerals - and do you still boil it first?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mrsthomas623]

In most places you can just use cold tap water, but if you are uncomfortable with the idea you can buy nursery water at any grocery store. I use ready0made formula so I am not sure what the typical procedure is.

 

[eldar]

Cheers for the reply.

I wasn't uncomfortable with using tap water - until I got spooked by people saying not to trust it! So I am consulting my trusted forum full of real mummies who do real things in the real world (unlike the old wife's tales, gossip world of people with no children but lots of advice!) and looking for what the mummies in the USA really do!

 

[britt1986]

I just use cool tap water. In the very beginning I used bottled water. Any brand worked for me.

 

[cleckner04]

My SIL and family always just use cool tap water! I had actually never even heard of boiling the water until joining this forum.

 

[Seity]

We just use tap water when making formula.

 

[Trinity42]

in my area i use bottled water... Just taste the water before making a bottle for baby and if it doesn't taste right to you then use bottled water
If you do use bottled water get distilled its what works best for Mika

 

[PrayinForBaby]

I use warm tap water

 

[tinkerz23]

I have never heard of using plain tap water, but I suppose you can. I think I would make sure that I had a water filter before doing so, depending on water quality in your area. I have always used bottled nursery water, the cheapest in the store.

 

[Tiff]

I'm not in the States (close enough? ) but I always boiled my tap water. You never know when something is going to happen. Maybe if the Walkerton Tragedy hadn't happened I'd be more comfortable... but yeah, for the all of 10 mins it takes to boil the water, its worth it to me.

 

[Kel127]

I just use warm tap water

 

[blondeNklutzi]

I use plain tap water. I filter it through a pitcher, not for safety reasons, but because we have hard water that tastes a little funny if it isn't filtered. I'm not sure LO would notice the difference but I just make his bottles out of the water OH and I filter for our use. One warning to the US mommies. Be careful about using warm/hot tap water. Many water lines in the United States are still lead. Warm/Hot water leaches more lead from the pipes than does cold. Having said that, cold water usage does not contain enough lead to harm baby, and warm most likely will not either, but I feel better using cold. Plus Mika doesn't like his bottles warm anyway.

 

[MrsRabbit]

I'd use bottled water - distilled. You won't know the condition of all the tap water, the pipes leading into the places you'll be staying etc. Boiling doesn't reduce chemicals in the water.

We use distilled water because of our 100+ year old water treatment center - every summer we get put under a boil order so we don't drink or cook with it.

I'd never use warm tap water - you get build up in the hot water tank which can get into the water. Yuck.

 

[eldar]

Thanks all for the replies!

I think I will taste the tap water and see what I think. I would always boil it before using it for a babies feed anyway but if it tastes odd to me then I will try to buy the nursery water - which I've never heard of and isn't sold over here!

 

[mrsthomas623]

Thanks all for the replies!

I think I will taste the tap water and see what I think. I would always boil it before using it for a babies feed anyway but if it tastes odd to me then I will try to buy the nursery water - which I've never heard of and isn't sold over here!

Its just plain old distilled water with a baby on the front of the container

 

[Tiff]

Thanks all for the replies!

I think I will taste the tap water and see what I think. I would always boil it before using it for a babies feed anyway but if it tastes odd to me then I will try to buy the nursery water - which I've never heard of and isn't sold over here!

Its just plain old distilled water with a baby on the front of the container

You can also buy regular distilled water as well, from most major grocery stores. It won't have a picture of a baby on the front, but it'll be a third of the price of the "nursery" ones.

 

[Nic1107]

If the place you're staying has well water, it's recommened to always boil tap water before mixing formula.
If the place you're staying uses city/municipal water, it's supposed to be safe but we've had major cryptosporidium outbreaks (in WI, nowhere near where you'll be) from our city water so I don't take the chance.

I always use 'baby' bottled water for Carmen's formula; Gerber markets some (among other brands) and you can almost always find it at a local Wal-Mart or Target (those stores are everywhere) and everywhere I've seen it, even in California, it is only $1 for a gallon.

 

[China girl]

I always boiled my water when I made my boys formula. In my opinion it was safer than the tap. Since your going to be here in the States for 2 weeks, I would suggest getting some "baby" water or the distilled water like the other posters suggest. I woudl not take any chances with tap water, but that's just me.

Good luck & have a wonderful & safe trip

 

[mrsthomas623]

Thanks all for the replies!

I think I will taste the tap water and see what I think. I would always boil it before using it for a babies feed anyway but if it tastes odd to me then I will try to buy the nursery water - which I've never heard of and isn't sold over here!

Its just plain old distilled water with a baby on the front of the container

You can also buy regular distilled water as well, from most major grocery stores. It won't have a picture of a baby on the front, but it'll be a third of the price of the "nursery" ones.

Haha I know... here in the States if they say "for baby" or "for pets" we will pay the outrageous prices! Its sooo silly!

 

[Eve]

I would boil the water... I have never heard of using regular tap water for infant formula under 6 months of age! Maybe I am old fashioned, since it's been 8 years since I have used the stuff, but to me, sterile is a good thing for infants!

Also, most doctors recommend not switching water either. A friend of mine who uses formula came to stay with me for 2 days and she brought pre sterilized water from her house because she didn't want to switch water. Maybe I'm wrong, since I don't use the stuff lol