Babies and tap water

[RachelG]

Hi, I wondered if anyone can help me.

My son is 8 months old, and he likes lots of water with meals etc (he's breast fed also). For about 2 months I've been giving him tap water, with no problems. Today someone from my local Mums&Tots group says I should only give him cooled boile water. Is this true? I stopped sterilising bowls 2 months ago, and only sterilise stuff that's involved in his milk (breast pump, bottles etc), so surely normal tap water must be safe?

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Rachel

we filter ours, personally i wouldnt bother with cooled boiled water unless he has sickness/upset tummy etc

tap water from 6 months is fine. According to the government booklet and the fsa web site.

my son is 10 months. he has had tap water for his cold drinks for a couple of months but i still boil for milk.
he has been fine also.

\link{http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/childrenshealth/203080.html\this} is quite good info.

You should not be so concerned with boiling the water because the reason you do that is to kill bacteria and viruses.

What you should be concerned about is the chlorine, chloramines, THM's and lead which are in most water supplies and are harmful to your health. It is technically and economically impossible to reduce these substances to zero so there are limits places on them that are allowed in drinking water.

Having a filter that can reduce the amount of the above contaminants has no downside and only upside.

I use filter water at home so my babies all started with that at 6months.

I always boiled water and cooled it for my two children until they were 1 year old. My sister just gave hers filtered water from the tap from 6 months.

My sister said I was obsessed - and I think she was right - Our mother just breastfed us and gave no water until we were about 3 months old and then it was from the tap.
If you are clean and your cups/bottles are clean I don't think there is much to worry about.

just regular tap water from 6mths for all mine and they all seem fine :)

I use water straight from the tap for 6mo dd.

18 months ago my HV said tap water at 1 year old, but I reckon that was a bit neurotic. DS number 2 will probably get it much earlier (like 6 months).
Sounds like the advice has changed anyway if the latest government booklet says 6 months. Maybe your Mums and Tots friend was working from old advice, like I was? Tap water at 6 months will be sooooo much less hassle!

When do you start to give water as well as milk? I'm a bit lost and need your help!

once you start weaning just offer water in a beaker with food, so at meal times and they can have it inbetween but tbh its normal for them not to drink much at all at first, most of their water will still come from their milk and also the liquid in food.

i just went with a bogstandard tommee tippee cup, for like £1:99 the anyway up onces were crap i found and the TT one is easy to use.

Will do, starting weaning about 4 weeks ago but didn't even think until now that maybe he needs water

Thank you btw

The TT cups are in Poundland for a pound dur me

Perfect! I love watching dd pick it up and help herself to water -+need to get out more--

Just gave him some water in a bottle and he looked a bit baffled!