Hi everyone, I have a 7 week old and have been supplementing breast feeding with formula. I use the gerber pure water to make his bottles and just noticed TODAY that it must be refrigerated after opening and used within 7 days!!! I thought this to be strange being water and all but I am also very worried I may have caused my baby harm. Once I open a one gallon jug it takes me upto two weeks to use one up and I keep it on the kitchen counter....yikes!!
Should I be concerned?
Re: gerber pure water concern
This. The "nursery water" business is a load of crap.
I think they put that disclaimer on there to cover their rears. Its purified water and unless its sitting out in a hot garage its not going to collect bacteria that fast. Honestly, I would just use tap or boiled water (if you are really picky). The nursery water is marketed to sell to paranoid parents. It really isn't that much better for your kid and you can save money just boiling your tap.
I just ran water from the tap and voila. If your baby isn't exhibiting symptoms (diahrea, vomiting etc.) then I wouldn't worry.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
LOL, wow, maybe that is why I got a cavity, my mom used tap water in the 70's. I am 35.
Fluoride is for preventing cavities and not everywhere has fluoride in the water
yeah, fact checking is your friend...
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
You can safely use fluoridated tap water to prepare infant formula. Exposure to fluoride during infancy helps prevent tooth decay.
However, regularly mixing powdered or liquid concentrate infant formula with fluoridated water might increase your child's risk of developing faint white markings or streaks on the teeth ? a sign of mild enamel fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a cosmetic issue that affects both baby teeth and permanent teeth while they're forming under the gums. In young children, combined fluoride exposure from all sources contributes to fluorosis. This includes the fluoride in fluoridated water, foods and drinks made with fluoridated water, and fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses ? especially if these products are swallowed.
Fluorosis can't develop or worsen once permanent teeth break through the gums.
If you're concerned about fluorosis, consider ways to minimize your baby's exposure to fluoride.
For example, you might use ready-to-feed formula or alternate between tap water and low-fluoride water ? such as purified, demineralized, deionized or distilled bottled water ? to prepare concentrated formula.
Remember, though, early exposure to fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. If you feed your baby only ready-to-feed formula or concentrated formula mixed with low-fluoride water, your baby's doctor might recommend fluoride supplements beginning at 6 months.
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-formula/AN01699
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
My DH is an environmental scientist. He says it is important to know the quality of water in your area before feeding it to a newborn.
In our area, the parasite coccidia is prevelant in our water. Therefore, it is recommended that those with weak immune systems do not drink the tap water.
For the record, I am in a major city in the US.