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?

The UK tap water is cleaner. Bottled water is either mineral or spring water. Neither of which meet the UK tap water cleanliness standards.
In the UK there is no need for anyone to drink bottled water. It's a marketing trick from other countries without our clean mains water supply.
Plus it is one of the most carbon heavy products to buy, due to its weight.

I thought it was nitrate levels in some bottled waters that were the issue.

Nhs only mentions sodium and sulphate levels for babies:

If you do have to use bottled water to make up a feed, check the label to make sure the sodium (also written as Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre. The sulphate (also written as SO or SO4) content shouldn't be higher than 250mg per litre.

Like tap water, bottled water isn't sterile, so it will need to be boiled before you use it to prepare a feed.

Thank you everyone! And yes I agree it is a lot of plastic waste!

I was just about to tell you the advice from France op, then saw that you are from here!

When I had DS three years ago, I breastfed exclusively for the first month then started giving him the occasional bottle of formula. The midwives all told me to give him Mont Roucous water, then another brand, and Evian was third on the list. I know a lot of parents who use MR for their kids too.

I've added a photo of the sodium levels as I'm useless with units and things - you mentioned 250mg/L and this says 3, so perhaps it should be 300?! 🤷‍♀️

No its 3.00 sodium

It also says suitable for a low sodium diet

Never understood the thing about sterilising... Formula powder isn't sterile, so why go to the bother of sterilising bottle, teat etc?

I suppose its in case traces of formula are left in the bottle then if they are sterilised the traces might be there but will do no harm. Formula powder gets sterilised by adding 70⁰C water

Just thought 3.00 just seems incredibly low when compared to the other numbers posted above. Still, it certainly hasn't done DS any harm so far!

Even my dc were formula fed babies (youngest is now 8), Evian was recommended for making up bottles if safe tap water was no available, because it had low sodium compared to other bottled waters.

Dhalilama the tap water should be above 70 degrees so it kills any harmful bacteria in the formula.
The sterilising the bottle and teat is so the baby doesn't get thrush or anything like that

The reason you sterilise the bottle, etc in addition to the formula is because the fats from formula can stay on the bottle if not washed well and can lead to bacterial growth. There are cases of babies dying from improperly made formula and unsterile bottles, not as much here anymore, but certainly elsewhere in the world and in previous generations.

Tap water is produced to tighter regulations than bottled water and is therefore safer. That's why. Former water company employee here.