There are differing opinions on the topic of water consumption for babies. These raise many questions. Is it dangerous for babies to drink water? What drinking water limits should be observed? In this guide, we have summarized the most important facts for you and answered your questions.
When should babies start drinking water?
Doctors know that infants should not drink water until around 6 months of age . Babies' kidneys are not yet fully developed, and therefore, excessive water intake disrupts the water-mineral balance of the young organism. This can lead to water retention, which in the worst case scenario can lead to severe symptoms similar to poisoning. Diluting breast milk or drinking tea is also prohibited in the first few months, even in summer.
Complementary feeding begins around the 7th month of life. Experts believe that additional fluids should be given with the third complementary meal. This is also when water drinking begins...
Is water dangerous for babies?
Tap water in Germany is generally among the most strictly controlled foodstuffs. This suggests that it is safe for babies. However, there are a few things you should check before giving your baby tap water to drink or preparing baby food with it.
Standing water —that is, water that has been sitting in the house's pipes for hours—should not be used for babies. Extended periods of standing in pipes give the water time to accumulate various substances. Instead, let the tap run for a while and use only cold water. Warm water straight from the tap could be contaminated with germs, among other things, which could weaken your baby's immune system.
Tap water, if it comes from lead or copper pipes , can contain traces of lead, copper, and other heavy metals. Infants should only consume these substances in very small amounts, or ideally not at all. While the limits set by current drinking water regulations are helpful in this regard, they are generally not intended for babies and small children. Therefore, you should not give your child tap water from lead pipes, for example.
Be sure to check your water supplier's information on nitrate levels ! See below. The best solution would be to use a water filter to remove such contaminants from tap water.
Nitrate is usually not a problem in large cities. Therefore, a CARBONIT countertop filter is ideal for this situation. It safely and reliably removes all possible heavy metal contamination and, with its NFP premium filter cartridge, also ensures virtually germ-free drinking water. This eliminates the need for laborious heating to sterilize the water.
Note: There are always germs in the air and therefore also on the inside of the tap spout, but these are generally harmless. Therefore, the water is practically never completely germ-free anywhere!
If nitrate is also a problem, the only solution is a water filter that also removes dissolved salts, such as a reverse osmosis system. These filter systems directly remove germs and all kinds of contaminants from tap water. The water is low in both nitrate and sodium, making it ideal for baby food.
If you are unsure about your water quality, contact your local health department or waterworks.
Which limit values in drinking water do I need to pay particular attention to?
Regular tap water can be dangerous for babies. Some drinking water limits are set too high for these small, immature organisms and can have negative health effects.
Special problem nitrate
The limits for drinking water vary for different age groups. While the limit for nitrate for adults is 50 mg/l (Drinking Water Ordinance), politicians and health experts believe it is a maximum of 10 mg/l for babies – five times lower. This is because babies are significantly more at risk if their tap water contains nitrates. The originally natural nitrate converts to nitrite in the body, and in this form becomes dangerous.
At this young age, a baby's body doesn't develop sufficient amounts of the enzyme that can reverse the conversion of blood pigment to nitrite. Too much nitrite is therefore especially dangerous for babies and young children. If the blood pigment isn't converted, it can result in the blood not being able to carry enough oxygen. This can be fatal for infants. So avoid nitrate in your baby's drinking water!
Another risk factor for nitrate in a baby's body is the bacteria in the stomach. Children younger than six months do not yet have a fully developed stomach. The lack of acid allows special bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrite. An increased conversion of nitrate to nitrite, in turn, endangers the blood pigment, as described above.
To be on the safe side, we recommend a reverse osmosis system. This is the only way to reliably remove nitrates and other harmful salts from your drinking water, allowing your baby to drink without any problems.
Special problem lead
Lead is also a limit value that can cause varying degrees of harm to different age groups. American scientists have discovered that even low levels of lead in drinking water can cause dangerous health problems in children and infants. Therefore, the limit value for lead is still dangerous, even if it is adhered to by the Drinking Water Ordinance (max. 10 µg/l).
According to the researchers, children with blood lead levels roughly equivalent to the safety limits had lower IQs than children with lower lead levels. Children with higher blood lead levels actually performed 2.4 IQ points lower. This suggests that despite "safe lead levels," children's IQs are reduced. Therefore, there is no 100% safe lead level in the blood. Lead in drinking water should therefore be strictly avoided, especially for younger age groups .
Both activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems effectively filter lead out of drinking water. This way, you can ensure good, pollutant-free water quality for you and your children.
Should I boil water for my baby?
Babies' immune systems are not yet fully developed at a young age and are therefore more vulnerable than those of adults. It is therefore important that your baby is protected, especially against pathogenic germs. To do this, you can boil tap water, for example, before consumption to kill all germs/bacteria. You should boil the water for at least two to three minutes. However, this process can be tedious and take too long in the long run. In addition, existing germs are only killed but not removed. Alternatively, you can connect a high-quality activated carbon block or reverse osmosis water filter to your water line, which filters out germs without you having to boil the water first.
Do babies need water in summer?
In summer, when it's warm and dry, everyone is very thirsty – even babies. Mothers therefore usually drink more because they are thirsty. The baby is also breastfed more often because, like the mother, it is also thirstier.
When it's warmer in the summer, both mother and baby simply drink more frequently. Babies often drink for shorter periods of time in the summer, but more frequently.
Conclusion
Babies need drinking water just like we adults do. However, it's not easy to get clean, contaminant-free water without endangering your baby. However, with a few simple steps, it's certainly possible.
Sterilized or germ-free water : You can boil tap water before drinking it. Germs are often found right next to the tap and can therefore end up in tap water at any time. Boil the water for a few minutes (and let it cool, of course) before giving it to your baby to remove any germs and sterilize the water. However, this will not remove possible contaminants such as lead, nitrate, and traces of other chemicals .
Provide enough water : Drinking enough water is important for both babies and adults. In summer, babies may need more water than in winter due to warm temperatures. Be mindful of your baby's needs.
Avoid nitrate and lead : Nitrate and lead are dangerous for babies in several ways, even when legal limits are met. Nitrate can affect blood oxygenation, and lead can cause brain damage in babies. To eliminate these contaminants from your baby's drinking water, invest in a water filter.
