Mom Advice

Using Tap Water to Mix Formula Print E-mail

Question

Hi Savvy Mommy,
My mother says I'm killing the baby by using tap water to mix his formula? Am I really hurting him?
- Tara, Albany, New York

Answer

Dr. Ari Brown, an award winning, Harvard trained pediatrician, mom and co-author of Baby 411 : Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year (Windsor Peak Press, 2006) graciously answers this question -

In the 'olden days', parents were told to boil their water before using it to prepare formula. That was before water purification became more sophisticated. While problems with water purity can still occur, it is quite rare. The only issue now with tap water is the amount of fluoride that is in your community water supply. The American Dental Association recently released an advisory (November 2006) that suggests that babies under six months of age who eat powder or liquid concentrate formula have it prepared with either fluoride-free bottled water or tap water that contains low levels of fluoride (you can get more information about their statement at ada.org).

About Dr. Ari Brown:

draribrown.jpg Ari Brown, M.D., FAAP, is an award winning pediatrician and child health advocate. Before entering the world of medicine, Dr. Brown completed a bachelor’s degree in child development. She completed her general pediatric residency and fellowship in developmental pediatrics at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Brown is Board Certified and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She works full-time in private practice at Capital Pediatric Group in Austin, TX. Dr. Brown’s passion to educate families about children’s health led her to co-author the books, Baby 411 : Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year (Windsor Peak Press, 2006) and Toddler 411 (Windsor Peak, 2006). Her practical and reassuring style resonates with today’s parents. She is an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, and regularly on the Rachael Ray Show and Surviving Motherhood. She also serves on the advisory board for Parents Magazine.

If you have a question, you would like to see answered here, send an email and a leading mom expert in the appropriate field will respond to it in the Ask Savvy Mommy section. Remember to include your first name, city and state.

< prev Best Remedy for Colic | Giving Motrin to a Newborn? next >
 

Mom Advice

Subscribe to our feeds

Subscribe to one of our feeds and get notified instantly whenever there is anything new on Savvy Mommy. Need help subscribing?

Favorites - Quick Shop

Advertisement