The Low Down on Tap Water

Contrary to popular belief, tap water is perfectly fine for your baby from 6 months (so long as the supply in your country is safe). It is only neccessary to boil tap water if using with formula, to kill ay bacteria present. 

Remember when you boil water it increases the sodium levels in the water. So if your tap water is suitable for you to drink, then it is fine for your weaning baby too. 

The quality of tap water also varies a lot between countries. There are many places where it might not be safe to drink water from the taps. As a baby's immune system isn't fully developed, they're more susceptible to infection. It's therefore vital to only offer tap water that's safe to drink. 

The Low Down on Bottled Water

Bottled water is safer when travelling however, bottled water may contain too much sodium or sulphate. It is best to always check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium (also written as Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre, and the sulphate (also written as SO or SO4) content is not higher than 250mg per litre. 

Bottled water is not usually sterile, so it is best to boil it first. Some bottled waters are labelled as suitable for babies, so go for these where and if you can.