Becoming a parent comes with a thousand questions. And a surprising number of them involve water. From mixing baby formula to sink baths, water touches nearly every part of your newborn’s routine.
So let’s tackle one of the biggest questions upfront: Is tap water safe for babies? The short answer? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on your local water quality and how you plan to use it.
But don’t worry. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what kind of water is safest for your baby. From formula, baths, and hydration, let’s break it all down in the simplest way possible.
When Can My Infant Have Water?
After 6 months (and only in small amounts at first), babies can start sipping a little water, especially with meals. Once your child hits the 1-year mark, small sips of filtered or boiled tap water are usually fine.
If you’re using well water or live in an area with high levels of arsenic or lead, a filter is non-negotiable. Look for a lead filter for water or a reverse osmosis system that specifically removes harmful contaminants. For the first six months, babies should only have breast milk or formula, never pure water.
When Can Babies Drink Tap Water?
- 0 - 6 months: Breast milk or formula only.
- 6 - 12 months: Filtered or boiled plain water, max 4–8 oz/day.
Note: For all infant ages, avoid alkaline/remineralized water as it can upset their stomach.
Why Can't Newborns Have Plain Water?
If you’ve ever wondered why can't you give a newborn water, here’s the scoop. While water might seem harmless, a newborn’s body processes fluids very differently than an adult’s.
Why You Should Never Give Newborns Water:
- Newborn kidneys aren’t fully developed: They can’t handle excess water the way adult kidneys can.
- Water intoxication: Even small amounts of plain water can throw off a baby’s electrolyte balance. In their small system, this could lead to dangerous complications like water intoxication.
- Disrupts eating patterns: Giving water can fill a baby’s tiny stomach quickly. This leaves less room for nutrient-rich breast milk or formula that’s crucial for healthy growth and development.
On top of dehydration and malnutrition, the fatality risks associated with water intoxication are deeply serious. That's why it's so important to follow pediatric guidance and avoid giving water to infants under 6 months unless specifically instructed by a healthcare provider.
Can You Use Tap Water for Baby Formula?
Here’s where things get a little more nuanced. You may have heard conflicting advice about whether tap water is okay to use when mixing formulas. The answer depends on a few key things:
1. Your Local Tap Water Quality
Many municipal water supplies meet basic safety standards. But those standards don’t always align with what’s ideal for a developing immune system, especially when it comes to lead and fluoride.
Tap water can contain:
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Fluoride
- Nitrates or heavy minerals
If you haven't tested your water, or even if you have, it's smart to use a home water filtration system. Municipal water quality reports don't account for household-level issues. And federal authorities have not updated water standards in decades. Filtering adds an extra layer of protection for your family.
2. Your Baby’s Age and Health
Babies under 6 months shouldn’t drink plain water at all. Their developing kidneys and digestive systems aren’t ready for it.
For babies under 3 months especially, their immune systems are even more vulnerable. If your pediatrician recommends using tap water to mix formula, make sure it’s boiled or filtered to reduce potential exposure to bacteria or contaminants.
Babies with a weakened immune system or who were born prematurely are especially susceptible to getting sick from tap water contaminants. If you’re still unsure about infant formula and preparation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines safe formula practices for new parents.
So… What’s the Best Water for Newborn Formula?
Let’s keep this simple. The best water to use for formulas, whether it be a newborn or baby older than 6 months, should be:
- Clean and contaminant-free
- Low in sodium and minerals
- Free from harmful bacteria
- Not too high in fluoride
Above all, it should be safe enough to support your baby’s developing body without adding anything that doesn’t belong.
Boiled Tap Water (Safe in a Pinch)
Boiling tap water for 1 minute kills most bacteria and viruses. If you're at a higher elevation, boil your tap water for 3 minutes.
But keep in mind:
- Boiling doesn’t remove chemicals or heavy metals.
- You’ll need to cool it before using it for formula.
- The process is time-consuming and not ideal for everyday use.
- Boiling won’t eliminate contaminants like nitrates, fluoride, or lead that can be harmful to babies.
Because of these limitations, many parents choose filtered, distilled, or purified water to ensure the safest, cleanest formula possible.
Distilled/Purified Water for Baby Formula (Store Bought)
Distilled water is created by boiling water into steam and then condensing it back into liquid, effectively removing minerals, chemicals, and contaminants. Purified water, on the other hand, is filtered through processes like reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, or deionization to eliminate impurities.
The key is that both distilled and purified water removes most contaminants, making them safe and reliable choices for mixing baby formula. Babies are more sensitive to minerals, chemicals, and bacteria, so water that’s clean and free from harmful substances helps protect their developing systems.
RO Filtered Tap Water (Best Everyday Choice)
RO filtration provides reliable and healthy water for babies on a daily basis, removing:
- Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and uranium
- Chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride
- Common contaminants like nitrates and other harmful substances
A reverse osmosis (RO) system is a smart choice for families because they remove up to 99% of common tap water contaminants and effectively reduce fluoride, lead, and nitrates.
Using filtered water gives parents peace of mind when preparing formula every day.
Why Reverse Osmosis Is the Best Water for Babies
If you're thinking a simple pitcher filter will do the trick, here's the catch. Most basic filters can't remove things like:
- Arsenic
- Nitrates
- Lead
And those are exactly the kinds of contaminants you want to keep far away from your baby's bottle.
That’s where RO shines. Think of it as the gold standard for water filtration. It doesn’t just clean your water, it transforms it into healthy, delicious drinking water.
Aquasure’s Premier Elite Series Reverse Osmosis System offers thorough filtration, making it a smart choice for families focused on their baby’s health.
Premier Elite Series RO systems offer:
- A 4-stage filtration process to remove 99% of contaminants and toxins
- An NSF/ANSI 372 certified drinking faucet so your filtered water is lead-free and safe for the whole family
- A pressure pump to boost water pressure and deliver a strong and steady flow of purified water
With reverse osmosis, you get peace of mind in each sip. Clean, safe, and reliable; just the way baby water should be.
Can You Bathe a Newborn in Tap Water?
Yes, but with a few caveats. While bathing a newborn in the sink is generally safe, there are a few things to account for.
Bathing an infant in the sink? Make sure:
- The water temperature is warm (not hot).
- The sink is clean and rinsed of cleaning chemicals.
-
You’re not dealing with hard water or chlorine sensitivity.
For babies with eczema or skin sensitivities, hard tap water can sometimes cause irritation. In those cases, consider a whole-house water filter or using a gentle water softener that’s baby-safe.
Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener
The Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener reduces hard minerals that cause skin irritations. It’s an effective way to not just protect your newborn, but provide your entire family with water that’s healthier for your skin and hair.
Plus, it protects plumbing and water appliances so your money goes toward lasting home comfort and savings for your growing family and not costly repairs.
Fortitude Pro Series Whole House Water Filter System
The Aquasure Fortitude Pro Whole House Filter removes harmful chemicals like chlorine, VOCs, and heavy metals from every tap, giving your family, especially babies, safer water for drinking, mixing formula, and daily use.
With long-lasting filtration for up to 600,000 gallons, it ensures clean, great-tasting water without slowing your flow.
It’s a simple way to protect your home and provide peace of mind with every sip.
Your Baby & Tap Water, Simplified
Here’s the quick guide to help you remember what water is safe for babies:
- Under 6 months: Do not give your baby water on its own. Use filtered or boiled water for formula.
- Best water for formula: Filtered tap water (ideally with reverse osmosis), or distilled/purified water labeled for infants.
- Avoid: Unfiltered tap water, particularly if fluoride or lead levels are unknown.
- Baths: Tap is usually fine. But for added security, use a water softener, especially if your baby has sensitive skin.
- After 6 months: Small sips of filtered water are okay. When in doubt, always check with your pediatrician.
Safe Water, Happy Baby, Relieved Parents
Worried about what’s in your tap water? You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. With the right water filter, you can feel confident knowing your family (and your tiniest human) is drinking, bathing, and growing up with safe, clean water.
Explore our Premier Elite Series RO System, Harmony Series Water Softeners, and Aquasure Fortitude Pro Whole House Filter to protect your baby from the contaminants you can’t always see but you know you don’t want them drinking or bathing in.
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