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The Impact of Water Quality on Your Baby’s Health

For new parents, everything in the world around them can suddenly seem like a cause for concern and fear. This is natural enough, as babies are very vulnerable creatures, and it is a basic animal instinct to protect our offspring. One source of concern for new parents is water–should babies drink water? What is the best source? Is tap water safe? Is bottled water? Questions like this are natural, and there are some good general tips for approaching water, but the truth is that there really are no clear-cut answers on many of these questions, because “water” is not the same everywhere, nor does it exist in the same conditions around the world, or even within the same part of the world at the same time. In this article, we’ll consider some of the basics of water quality, and how it affects you and your baby. 

water in a bottle

Why Water Quality Matters for Babies

Why does water quality matter for babies? Babies are weak, and reliant on the care and attention of their parents. As such, you need to give them all the care and attention you can, and that means showing them love, as well as giving them the best food and water. If you are breastfeeding, which is the best for babies, then you should be drinking high quality, filtered water. And if you are using formula, then experts at All Filters recommend using a high-quality source of filtered water in conjunction with your pediatrician-recommended baby formula. Whether you are buying pre-filtered baby water, or using a high-quality reverse osmosis filtration system, you need to be attentive to common water contaminants, and the dangers they pose.

Common Water Contaminants and Their Effects on Babies

Little babies are growing constantly, and at a very rapid rate. Babies younger than six months shouldn’t be drinking plain water, but only their mother’s milk, or baby formula prepared with clean filtered water. Using tap water is often safe as well, in the United States, but it is safer to go with filtered water, as many common contaminants can still make it through the distribution system and out of our taps. The levels of such contaminants are usually low, and absent a line break or some other disaster, the water is deemed safe according to US law. However, disasters do occur sometimes, and there are a wide variety of new and emerging contaminants that have not yet been adequately legislated on by US Congress. There is no reason not to play it safe with your baby’s health and use bottled baby water or properly filtered water.

Safe Water Sources for Babies

You can buy baby water from the store, and with it, a degree of peace of mind, though it also comes with a relatively high price tag. A home water filtration system is a better long-term option, even if it is more expensive up front, and will require occasional filter changes and routine maintenance.

Bottled Water (Pros and Cons)

Bottled water for babies is readily available, and you know you are getting a consistent level of high-quality water. However, recent studies have shown that bottled water almost universally contains bits of microplastic from the inside of the bottle, which is not ideal. There is no escaping microplastics, as they are now everywhere, but there’s no reason to invite them in.

Filtered Tap Water

An under-sink multi-stage filtration system is likely your best bet for getting clean, potable, and reliably filtered water right in your own home. A reverse osmosis system will get the job done–a good multi-stage RO system will feature a sediment pre-filter, activated carbon in various types and configurations, and of course the reverse osmosis membrane. This is an aggressive form of filtration that removes nearly all dissolved solids, rejecting them with a waste-water stream. The downside to this unit is that you need to do some plumbing work under the sink to install it, and direct the waste-water to a proper drainage point. Usually, this means drilling into your drain line and installing the hose with a drain saddle. 

Well Water

If you are on well water, it is highly advised that you have it professionally tested on a regular basis. Some sort of disinfection system may be called for, such as an ultraviolet light filter array, a chlorination system, or some combination of the above with reverse osmosis or nanofiltration devices. Speak to a water dealer in your area for specific recommendations.

Signs of Water-Related Health Issues in Babies

Bad water quality is a very nebulous thing, as so many different contaminants exist in water, and their effects can be equally varied. However, if your baby is crying a lot, has an upset stomach and is spitting up frequently, it may be a sign that something in your water is upsetting their system. Dry skin or rashes may also be an indication that something in your water is irritating their skin when bathing–chlorine can have this effect. 

How to Ensure Safe Water for Your Baby

The best way to ensure safe water, not only for your baby, but for your whole family, is to install a whole house water filtration system. This type of unit is highly customizable, and is installed in the basement or on the first floor, where the water line enters the house. You can install a water softener if water hardness is a problem where you live, or a multi-stage system with sediment, carbon, ultrafiltration, or whatever else you decide. As long as you are treating every tap in the house, everyone should benefit, baby included.

Expert Tips for Parents

Once you have installed an adequate water filtration system, keep an eye on the water quality over the next few days, and ask members of your family to do the same. Not all filtration setups are ideal for all homes or preexisting water conditions, so 

FAQs

How Often Should I Test My Home Water Supply?

Once a year is a good goal for testing your home water supply. You can also check in on the yearly government water quality report for your municipality–they are published annually. If you stagger your personal test for six months after the city test, then you can have results every six months on the conditions in your area.

 

Is Boiling Water Enough to Remove All Contaminants?

No, boiling water will only help in cases of microbial contamination such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and cysts. Other contaminants, such as heavy metals like lead, will only become more concentrated in water if you boil it.

 

Can My Baby Drink Bottled Water Regularly?

It is not recommended for babies under six months to drink plain water, but only breast milk or formula. After six months, they can start to drink small amounts of water in addition to their normal milk diet.

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