Why is bottled water deemed bad for newborns in the UK when it has lower sodium/sulphate levels?

[Mooncake2020]

Hiya,

Can someone explain why boiled bottled water such as Evian is deemed bad for newborns in the UK?

NHS says max levels of sodium/sulphate levels in water for newborn should be 200mg/250mg per litre. UK tap water is 200mg sodium/236mg sulphate per litre (unboiled, so boiling will concentrate it higher)... Evian is 5mg sodium/14mg sulphate per litre, so much lower?

I assume its because newborns should be exclusively having milk, not water.

There may also be issues with not promoting commercial businesses to feed newborns.

I think it is probably becusse it isnt sterile plus saltlevels will vary widely depending on where it is sourced.

I assume you mean to make up formula with rather than to give on its own.

I believe, though I point to anything, that new horns have very tiny stomachs so if you fill them up with water they can't have milk and so get malnourished.

Though that's what I've always assumed and have nothing to back that up.

Its not just sodium, its that its not nutrient dense. If you fill a baby with water they wont want nutrient dense milk. Also, new babies need their blood sugars topping up regularly - water is terrible for that.

Water IS recommended for dehydrated bottle fed babies in small quantities, but thats it

I think some are way over the recommendations and some are below. The NHS has to give a clear, Consistent message that is understandable by all and has longevity (ie not impacted if a brand changed its process), so a blanket no is safer. However if you understand the science and maths then you can make your own choices

Sorry I should have specified to make up formula feeds, not just giving them water x

I can't point to anything! Not that mess I originally wrote.

If you boil it, it doesnt matter what water you use.

You need to boil it though. Just because its in a sealed bottle doesnt mean its sterile.

Because there's nothing wrong with UK tap water? I don't know anything about science but imagine the plastic consumption/waste if every one decided to use Evian instead of water from the tap to make up formula.

It’s not recommended because there is enormous variation in the mineral content of different brands of bottled water. Some of them would be fine but many are not. In France I believe the formula boxes actually say to use cooled boiled tap water, or Evian.

Microbiological standards for tap water in the UK are higher than for bottled water.

@TeddyTeddy Yes I'm from France and it's the norm with my family & friends to use boiled Evian with formula as the sodium levels are much lower and easier on a newborns kidneys. Although, then I guess there may be an issue going from lower sodium water to tap water when they are older.

The amount of plastic waste that generates is ridiculous

Where did you get your sodium figures for tap water? Are you just going by the maximum levels permitted?

plus what a waste of single use plastic if you use bottled water instead of perfectly safe tap water

@dementedpixie Yes going by max levels, even if you go to area breakdowns which are much lower, closer to 20mg/30mg, that's still much higher than Evian. I'm in London though, so it's higher again.

If you're in London you can use tap water

Well because advice needs to be general and simple to follow. In Europe they have a mark for exactly which water (Evian etc) is suitable for babies. The bottle has the safety mark for babies.
The danger would be the nhs advising that sips of bottled water are safe, then somebody giving their baby a bottled water that was WITHOUT this assurance. This is important, depending on where the water is sourced. In the uk we don’t have a very eclectic variety of bottled waters , but in Europe (particularly eastern Europe ) the selection is as diverse as fine wine. Some contain so much sodium it’s like drinking from the sea, super salty.
These are available in some Russian/ polish corner stores etc. They taste amazing but they’re certainly not suitable for babies.

Tap water is cheaper and causes less waste. As long as sodium and sulphate levels are low enough in bottled water then it could be used, but why would you if you didn't need to?

The sodium content of breast milk is apparently 150 to 170mg per litre, so similar amounts in formula shouldn't be a problem for a baby.

Might as.well use that safe water that you've already paid for and doesnt need extra packaging.

The NHS cannot analyse and advice on individual brands of bottled water. It cannot be assumed all will be the same and some brands may have higher sodium and sulphate levels.

Given the NHS needs to make a recommendation based on "bottled water" and not "X-brand of bottled water" it is logical and sensible to advise against. Otherwise they would be advising the use of high mineral water in some brands.

@Therollockingrogue That makes sense thank you! It is the NHS reasoning that seemed odd to me regarding the sodium/sulphate content, when I know Evian is much lower.

@FATEdestiny That makes perfect sense, thank you!