Making baby formula is an important skill for any new parent – after all, your baby can’t eat it if you don’t make it! And although choosing the best baby formula is super important, knowing how to make baby formula also means knowing about the water you use to do it.
With tap water, bottled water, purified water, and distilled water as options, you might find yourself asking,
“Can you use distilledwater for formula?”
Yes, Distilled water is safe and is quite acommon health recommendation these days as it is the purest form of water as it has no water cut with it hence no admixtures.
In this extensive guide, you’ll learn why many have made distilled water their water of choice, how it stacks up against other waters, and receive expert recommendations on preparing formula safely.
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is produced by boiling water into steam and then condensing it back into liquid form in a clean container. This process removes nearly all impurities, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and minerals, resulting in pure H2O.
Unlike tap water, which may contain trace minerals or contaminants, or purified water, which undergoes filtration but may retain some minerals, distilled water is exceptionally clean. This purity makes it ideal for applications requiring minimal contamination, such as medical procedures and preparing baby formula (Baby Brezza).
The Distillation Process
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Boiling: Water is heated until it turns into steam, leaving behind contaminants.
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Condensation: The steam is collected and cooled back into liquid form.
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Collection: The resulting water is stored in sterile conditions, ensuring no recontamination.
This process ensures that distilled water is free from harmful substances, making it a reliable choice for mixing with baby formula.
Benefits of Using Distilled Water for Baby Formula
Distilled water offers several advantages when used for preparing baby formula, particularly for infants with sensitive systems. Here are the key benefits:
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High Purity: Distilled water is free from bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that could be present in tap or well water. This reduces the risk of infections, which is crucial for newborns whose immune systems are still developing (WaterSmart).
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No Unnecessary Minerals: Baby formula is designed to provide all the essential nutrients, including minerals, that an infant needs. Distilled water’s lack of minerals ensures that the formula’s nutritional balance remains intact, avoiding potential overload of minerals like sodium or calcium.
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Fluoride-Free: Many municipal water supplies add fluoride to prevent tooth decay, but excessive fluoride in infants can lead to dental fluorosis, a condition causing white spots or streaks on teeth. Distilled water contains no fluoride, making it a safer choice for formula preparation (Mayo Clinic).
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Consistent Quality: Unlike tap water, which varies by location and treatment processes, distilled water offers consistent purity. This reliability ensures that every bottle of formula is prepared with the same high-quality water.
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No Boiling Required: Since distilled water is already sterile, there’s no need to boil it before mixing with formula, saving time and effort for busy parents.
Comparing Distilled Water to Other Types of Water
When choosing water for baby formula, parents have several options. Below is a comparison of distilled water with other common types, highlighting their pros and cons:
|
Water Type |
Pros |
Cons |
Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Distilled Water |
Free from contaminants, bacteria, and minerals; no boiling needed; reduces fluorosis risk. |
Lacks beneficial minerals like fluoride; may be more expensive than tap water. |
Ideal for infants under 6 months or in areas with poor tap water quality. |
|
Purified Water |
Nearly free of impurities; may retain some beneficial minerals; safe for formula. |
May still contain trace minerals; quality varies by filtration method. |
Good alternative to distilled water, especially if minerals are desired. |
|
Tap Water |
Convenient and often fluoridated; regulated by the EPA in the U.S. |
May contain contaminants like lead or chlorine; requires boiling for infants under 6 months. |
Suitable if boiled and confirmed safe by local water authorities (HealthyChildren.org). |
|
Bottled Water |
Convenient for travel; some brands are low in minerals and safe for infants. |
Expensive; may contain high sodium or sulfates; requires checking labels. |
Useful when traveling or if labeled as purified/distilled (BabyCenter). |
|
Well Water |
May be accessible in rural areas. |
Risk of nitrates, bacteria, or other contaminants; requires testing and boiling. |
Not recommended unless tested and treated (Mayo Clinic). |
Tap Water Considerations
Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S., making it safe in most areas. However, it may contain chlorine, lead (especially in older homes with lead pipes), or other contaminants. The AAP recommends boiling tap water for at least one minute and cooling it before use for infants under two months, premature babies, or those with weakened immune systems (HealthyChildren.org).
Purified Water
Purified water undergoes processes like reverse osmosis or carbon filtration, removing most impurities. It may retain small amounts of minerals like calcium or magnesium, which are generally safe for infants. Purified water is a good alternative to distilled water if parents prefer water with some mineral content (Organics Best).
Bottled Water
Bottled water can be used if labeled as “purified,” “distilled,” or “processed through reverse osmosis” and meets FDA standards for infant consumption. Avoid mineral, sparkling, or flavored water due to high sodium or other additives.
Well Water
Well water poses risks due to potential contaminants like nitrates or bacteria. It should be tested regularly and boiled before use. The Mayo Clinic advises against using well water unless its safety is confirmed (Mayo Clinic).
Fluoride and Dental Fluorosis
Fluoride in tap water helps prevent tooth decay but can be problematic for infants. Excessive fluoride intake during the first few years of life, when teeth are developing, can cause dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition resulting in white patches or streaks on teeth. In severe cases, it may affect enamel structure. The American Dental Association notes that while fluoridated water is safe, using low-fluoride water like distilled or purified water for formula can reduce fluorosis risk, especially if the formula itself contains fluoride (Parents).
If you use distilled water exclusively, consult your pediatrician about fluoride supplements after six months, as fluoride is important for dental health once teeth emerge (Healthline).
Preparation Guidelines for Baby Formula
Proper preparation is essential to ensure your baby’s safety. Here’s how to use distilled water for formula:
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Check Formula Instructions: Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the correct water-to-formula ratio. For example, Similac recommends one level scoop of powder per 2 fl oz of water (Similac).
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Use Sterile Equipment: Wash and sterilize bottles, nipples, and other equipment before use.
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No Boiling Needed for Distilled Water: Since distilled water is sterile, it can be used directly from the bottle.
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Mix Thoroughly: Add water to the bottle first, then the formula powder, and shake well to avoid clumps.
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Test Temperature: Ensure the formula is at body temperature (about 98.6°F/37°C) by testing a few drops on your wrist.
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Storage: Use prepared formula within one hour or store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Discard any formula left out longer than two hours (HealthyChildren.org).
For tap water, boil it for one minute (add one minute per 1,000 feet above sea level) and cool to room temperature before mixing. Never dilute formula to stretch it, as this can lead to water intoxication, a dangerous condition that disrupts sodium levels (HealthyChildren.org).
Using Filtered Water
Some parents prefer using filtered tap water to remove contaminants while retaining beneficial minerals like fluoride. Filters like Brita or reverse osmosis systems can improve tap water quality, but they don’t remove all germs, so boiling may still be necessary for vulnerable infants. Ensure the filter is certified to remove lead and other harmful substances (BabyCenter).
Water for Formula When Traveling
When traveling, water quality can vary significantly. Use bottled water labeled as “purified” or “distilled” to ensure safety. Alternatively, bring distilled water or a portable water filter. If using tap water abroad, always boil it first, as water treatment standards differ by country (WebMD).
Expert Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using clean, fluoridated tap water for formula preparation but advises boiling it for infants under two months, premature babies, or those with compromised immune systems. The Mayo Clinic suggests distilled or low-fluoride bottled water to reduce fluorosis risk, especially in areas with high-fluoride tap water (Mayo Clinic).
Pediatricians often recommend distilled water for its purity, particularly in regions with unreliable tap water. For example, Dr. Lauren Beene from University Hospitals advises parents to choose water based on local conditions and consult with healthcare providers (University Hospitals).
Addressing Common Concerns
Is Distilled Water Safe for Babies?
Yes, distilled water is safe for mixing baby formula. Its purity ensures no harmful contaminants affect your baby’s health (Baby Brezza).
Does Distilled Water Lack Essential Minerals?
Distilled water lacks minerals, but this isn’t a concern since baby formula is fortified with all necessary nutrients. The absence of minerals prevents overloading your baby’s system (Organics Best).
Do I Need to Boil Distilled Water?
No, distilled water is already sterile and doesn’t require boiling, unlike tap or well water (WaterSmart).
How Does Distilled Water Compare to Purified Water?
Both are safe, but distilled water is purer, removing all minerals and impurities, while purified water may retain trace minerals. The choice depends on whether you want minerals in the water.
Can Babies Drink Water Directly?
Babies under six months should not drink water alone, as it can cause water intoxication. Formula or breast milk provides sufficient hydration (Today).
Conclusion
Selecting the correct water for baby formula is an important decision when it comes to your baby’s health. And the top choice for water is distilled because it’s pure, free of contaminants, and can minimize poison from fluoride such as dental fluorosis. Tap, purified, and bottled waters are, but distilled water provides a peace of mind and a consistency that is hard to match. Be sure to always follow formula preparation recommendations, use sterile equipment and consult your pediatrician for personalized advice, particularly if your baby has specific health issues or if you have worries about local water quality.
