How to choose the right water for a child?

What water should I choose for my child? Whether unboiled water for babies, straight from the tap, it's a good idea if it is better spring or mineral? A water for a newborn - from when it is advisable to give it and whether it should always be overcooked? Whether boiled water for the baby can help for constipation? These are just some of the questions parents ask about water for toddlers.

Good quality water is recommended in the nutrition of infants, young children and adolescents. In the following text, we explain what it actually means and which criteria should be met by good drinking water for an infant and an older child. The colloquial term "baby" instead of "baby" appears in the text due to its frequent presence in questions from parents looking for answers on the Internet.

Mineral and spring water for babies: why?

Spring and mineral water are a good choice for a child. This type of bottled water is groundwater, originally chemically and microbiologically clean, characterized by a stable mineral composition and properties of physiological significance with beneficial effects on human health. The chemical purity of the water should remain constant within natural fluctuations as water is obtained from a given hole or set of holes that make up a well.

What mineral water for a small child is the best?

Natural mineral waters, depending on their origin, may contain up to several dozen different minerals, hence they can be an important source of some elements in the diet, if their concentration is high enough and the water is consumed in appropriate amounts. Research indicates that mineral water can provide even 25% calcium and 17% magnesium recommended for daily consumption. In addition, some mineral waters can supplement deficiencies of such elements as fluoride or iodine.

Due to the total content of minerals dissolved in 1 liter of water, we can distinguish water:

• very low mineralized – below 50 mg/l;
• low mineralized – from 50 to 500 mg/l;
• moderately mineralized – from 500 to 1500 mg/l;
• highly mineralized – above 1500 mg/l.

Recommendations for water intake for infants and children were presented in 2011 and published as a medical standard. According to this standard, it is believed that spring waters and natural mineral waters - low-sodium, low-mineralized and medium-mineralized and low-sulfate waters, are recommended in the diet, especially of the youngest part of the population.

How to choose healthy water for a child? Check the composition first!

Low-sodium and low-sulfate waters are those in which the amount of sodium and sulfate ions does not exceed 20 mg / l. Such waters are recommended not only for drinking, but also for the preparation of modified milk and meals. What water for a baby and a small child will be the best? Water with a balanced mineral composition should be chosen for children. Not all natural mineral waters can be consumed by children, especially infants.

When choosing water for a child, one should be guided by the concentration of minerals contained in the water. All the necessary information about the type of water and its composition can be found on product label.

Some waters available on the market have a positive opinion of pediatric units, including a positive opinion of the Institute of Mother and Child. Such waters will have age qualifications on the label.

Water for the newborn: from when?

The question should not be "since when water for a newborn baby", but should water be given to a baby in the neonatal period, i.e. during the first month of life? In the neonatal period Breast milk provides a healthy baby with the right amount of fluids. Not recommended supplementation, i.e. the administration of additional fluids.

For non-breastfed infants receiving formula, good quality water should be used for spreading milk powder.

Since when is water for babies?

Since when is water for a breastfed infant? Until the age of 6 months, mum's food still provides a healthy baby with sufficient fluid. It is not recommended to supplement breastfed infants in the first half of their life. In the second half of the year, i.e. from the age of 7 months, it is recommended to introduce complementary foods into the diet of infants. During this time, your baby may be getting good-quality drinking water.

Since when baby water with artificial or mixed feeding? In the nutrition of infants who are not fed naturally or breastfeeding is insufficient for them, preparations that replace human milk are used, i.e. initial modified milk (from birth to 6 months of age) and subsequent modified milk (over 6 months of age). most often in the form of a powder, produced from milk subjected to the necessary quantitative and qualitative modifications of its composition, taking into account the specific nutritional needs of infants.

The water used to distribute the milk powder should be of the same high quality as drinking water - bottled and intended for consumption by infants.

Baby glucose water: yes or no?

While water with glucose for babies in the past was a common way of getting drunk, today this practice should not be used. Children should be given clean water, preferably without any flavor additives. Water with glucose for a baby is not a very good idea - in this way, we unnecessarily get him used to the sweet taste, which may have negative consequences in the future.

Boiled water for babies: good for constipation?

Constipation is a common problem among others among babies. One of the reasons for their formation, apart from an improper diet, may be too little fluid intake. Therefore, keeping the body hydrated is one of the ways to combat them. Water provides adequate flexibility of the intestinal walls and facilitates the movement of the stool mass.

In the event of constipation, pay attention to the amount of fluid consumed by the child during the day and ensure a greater supply of them. Remember that in the case of children in the first year of life, water should be boiled. If constipation persists despite the increased amount of fluids, consult your child's pediatrician.

How do I store water for my baby?

Bottled water should be stored in a dry, cool, shady, odor-free place. After opening the bottle, it is best to consume the water within 12 hours, and water stored in the refrigerator - within 48 goodness.

The child should drink water at room temperature. Water in unit containers with a capacity of not more than 1,5 l ensures quick water consumption and reduces the risk of its contamination. Children under the age of 1 should only drink boiled water.

Water of proven quality is a good choice

"Quality" is the shortest answer to the question. What is the best water for a baby and an older child? They meet the quality criterion spring waters and natural mineral waters in unit packaging, i.e. bottled water, with composition and age appropriate for children. We analyze it in detail during the assessment at the Institute of Mother and Child.

Even the best quality baby water should be boiled before serving, and after opening the bottle, it cannot be stored for too long. Such water for children is a good choice!