Forumula questions

I am still doing the best I can with pumping breast milk for my babies, but they are getting to the point where they are eating a lot more than I can pump, so I have been using formula for their other bottles. The premade is definitely the easiest, but it costs more (does anyone know where this is the cheapest?) But, we have fluoride in our water and with the warning from the American Dental Association about this, I am scared to make their bottles with our tap water because of the fluoride. What do most people do? Should I buy distilled? How does this affect the cost with the powder and buying water too?

 

QUOTE(MommaK @ Mar 11 2008, 11:11 AM) [snapback]663307[/snapback]
But, we have fluoride in our water and with the big warning from the American Pediatrics Association about this


What did I miss? I always thought, and was told, that the fluoride in water was a good thing.

 

Here is some info from ADA.org " Recent studies cited in the report of the National Research Council (NRC), “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards,” have raised the possibility that infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be susceptible to enamel fluorosis....

...Their recommendations:

"...For infants who get most of their nutrition from formula during the first 12 months, ready-to-feed formula is preferred to help ensure that infants do not exceed the optimal amount of fluoride intake.


If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon"

 

Interesting! That is the first I have heard of it! I know that my ped has a chart with all of the different water sources in the area(even bottled water), and how many ppm of fluoride they contain. I think that would be a good place to start.

I mixed our formula with the Nursery water brand for all 5 of my kiddos.

 

I hadn't heard this either. I have always used tap water. I guess I need to check into this.

 

I always buy jugs of bottled water, and always put small water bottles in the diaper bag for when we're out.

 

We have a well so our pedi told us to either boil our water or buy sterile water to make their formula.

 

I used Nursery Water for the first few months also. Then I got a PUR filter for the kitchen sink and we also have a Brita pitcher. I'm not a water freak or anything, but our water just tastes gross.

FWIW - my cousin, who is a gigantic idiot, made her baby's formula with water out of the bathroom tap. I don't recommend this, just want to point out that babies can survive on formula made with plain tap water. Her baby is just fine.

 

We've always used plain tap water for our babies, I asked the pedi about it way back at the very beginning and they told me it was fine. . .just another crazy thing to worry about I guess. . .

 

I used distilled water for the first 5 or so months as per the NICU recommendation. However, my pedi told us to go to tap water because of the flouride benefit. We've been using tap ever since.

 

Id say that dentists do have to say something to make themselves important!!

We're using boiled tap water and the boys (now 3 Months) are doing great.

Next thing we'll hear is they're not allowed to breath ;-)

 

We use bottled water, primarily because our city's water always seems to be under some sort of advisory. We do NOT have fluoride in our water & our Ped said that was fine to use when they were young. Now that they're over 6 mos, since they aren't getting fluoride in their water, we have to give it to them in supplements. We don't have to give the supplements on the days they're in daycare because it's a different water source & they use their tap, which has fluoride in it. I think over 6 mos, fluoride is helpful, but under can be a problem. I'm sure each dentist & each Ped will say something different, but I don't really think the cost of fluoride drops, water, & formula is that bad, especially if it'll lead to good teeth!