What Is The Difference Between Bottled Water And Nursery Water?
Nursery water, also known as baby water, is a type of bottled water that is specifically manufactured and prepared for babies. Nursery/baby water is water that is “steam distilled” to remove the impurities. Most manufacturers also infuse this type of water using ozone, which helps to further disinfect the product.
Nursery water is very similar to most brands of bottled water, with no substantial differences when comparing the two.
Is It Safe To Use Bottled Water For Infant Or Baby Formula?
Experts recommend that bottled water is safe to use for preparing baby formula, as long as the water is “sterile” and has been boiled for a minimum of one minute. For bottled water that is already labeled “sterile” and matches the FDA standards, it can be used for preparing baby formula without having to boil it further.
Bottled Water Types
Bottled water is available in three types which include distilled water, packaged drinking water, and mineral water.
– Mineral Water
This water contains high levels of dissolved minerals. The minerals in the water are either naturally present in water such as groundwater (water extracted from the ground), or extracted from natural underground springs (spring water). Alternatively, manufacturers can also add minerals to the water.
– Distilled Water
This is the purest form of water without any dissolved minerals or gases. This type of water is generally not sold for human consumption, but it is used for different types of industrial purposes.
– Packaged-Drinking Water
These products go by many names including purified water, packaged water, and packaged-purified water. Typically sourced from rivers, lakes, or even a public tap, this water undergoes a process involving reverse osmosis and UV treatment to improve the taste of the water and to remove impurities such as heavy metals and chemicals. Packaged-drinking water typically contains a couple of natural minerals which gives this water a distinctive flavor.
What Are The Requirements For Bottled Water For Babies?
The NHS and the US FDA, have stated that bottled-water for a baby needs to meet these requirements:
– Low Sulfate
There should be less than 250mg of SO4 (sulfate) per a liter
– Less Sodium
The Na (sodium) content should also be less than 250mg per a liter
– Look For “Low-Fluoride” Versions
Most of the packaged-drinking water brands, including the ones that have added minerals, have around 0.11mg of fluoride ppm (parts per million) or per liter. These levels are regarded as safe for infants.
Should You Be Boiling Bottled Water?
It is possible to boil packaged-drinking or bottled water but is not always necessary when the product is FDA-approved and produced by a reputable brand.
It is a good idea to boil water when you are unsure about the water quality. The water must reach a “rolling boil”, for at least 1 minute which will ensure any germs or bacteria are killed. When it is not possible to boil your water while traveling with your infant, it is advisable to only buy nursery or bottled water from trusted brands and places.
