Using tap water to mix baby formula may expose your baby to unnecessary health risks. The risk depends on what’s in your water, but most people have tap water that is far less than healthy for adults. Babies are more vulnerable, with immature immune systems. This may make it harder for them to fight off some disease-causing pathogens that may be found in unfiltered water. Additionally, other substances commonly found in water from the tap, like lead, could have lasting effects on an infant.
Many parents are well aware of the potential dangers of using tap water to mix with baby formula. They worry that microorganisms may be left in their tap water, even after its normal processing and treatments have been performed. Boiling can prove helpful and does destroy a wide range of disease-causers. However, it leaves other things behind that may be just as dangerous for an infant.
Lead is one of the things left behind after boiling. It doesn’t matter how clean your municipal water is reputed to be. If there’s lead in the pipes, it can contaminate your water without you knowing it. Your water can taste great and appear crystal clear yet still have unhealthy levels of lead in it. What does this mean for your baby? Well, lead can cause not only physical development problems but also those related to mental development. And while you may be able to handle minimal lead exposure with no obvious effects, a much smaller level of exposure may irreversibly affect your baby.
Fluoride is another concern for those who use tap water to mix with baby formula. If you live in an area in which fluoride is added by your municipality, your baby may end up getting too much fluoride on a daily basis. This may lead to a condition called fluorosis, which is marked by staining and discoloration of the teeth. In fact, it can affect both your infant’s baby teeth and his permanent teeth. There’s even some discussion of fluoride’s possible link to cancer.
If you want to be sure the water you use to prepare your baby’s formula is safe, it’s best to filter your tap water before you use it. This gets rid of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens as well as lead, fluoride, chlorine, and a range of other substances you can’t touch with boiling alone. A quality water filter will even get rid of pharmaceuticals that make their way into your municipal system.
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