Sterilized and Fluoridated Water - Best Types of Water for Babies

Safety is a serious concern for parents when it comes to babies' drinking water, especially those who rely primarily on formula milk for feeding. According to the World Health Organization (2002), around 1.6 million children under 5 years old die as a result of dehydration from diarrhea that is caused by a host of bacterial, viral, protozoal and parasitic organisms present in contaminated water. Leading infectious waterborne diseases include amoebiasis, cholera, cryptosporidiosis, E. coli, hepatitis A and E, rotavirus and typhoid. Bacteria and viruses that cause these diseases are transmitted via untreated drinking water, contaminated and/or uncooked foods, and unhygienic storage and preparation of foods and utensils. Common symptoms include abdominal discomfort or pain caused by bloating or the more severe internal bleeding, weight loss due to to loss of apetite and malfunctioning digestive system, fever due to lowered immunity and other complications, and dehydration caused by diarrhea. Additionally, chemicals in regular drinking water can also have serious health effects on infants and young children. Lead, from old lead pipes, can cause learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, kidney and nerve damage, and cancer. Arsenic, which comes from minerals and ores omiitted from mining and industrial plants, can cause cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder and kidney. Benzene, which mostly comes from polluted air, can cause leukemia, and can damage the central nervous system. Lastly, nitrates and nitrites, from fertliziers and animal or human wastes, can cause respiratory damage, specifically the blue baby syndrome.

Why Infants Are At Risk for Water Contamination

Infants cannot fight off infections caused by waterborne diseases. This is because their immune system is not yet fully developed. Unlike adults who can tolerate common bacteria present in tap water, infants are not readily equipped to fend off a waterborne virus or bacteria.

Infants require more water than adults relative to their size. 75% of an infant's body content is water, compared to 50% to 60% in adults. And because of higher turnover rate of water and electrolytes due to constant urination, coupled with their relatively lower body weight, infants are more susceptible to dehydration than adults. Thus, severe diarrhea is not just harmful, but is already life-threatening to babies.

Infants are at the earliest stage of their development. Waterborne contamination can have serious long-term effects on the physical, behavioral and mental development of babies.

What the Experts Recommend

Leading world health authorities recommend using only sterilized water for infants. The World Health Organization, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the US Food and Drug Administration strongly suggest one minute boiling of regular drinking water to free it from the effects of biological and chemical water contamination. Unlike filtration and distillation, only sterilization of water can kill all forms of bacterial, viral, protozoal and parasitic microorganisms. In order to keep sterlized water clean during cooling and transferring, all containers and utensils that come in contact with the water should be sterilized as well, but make sure that such containers and utensils are, in the first place, sterilizable. It is recommended that sterilized water should be given to infants at least up to 12 months.

Water Fluoridation, on the other hand, as endorsed by leading health authorities, such as the American Dental Association, the World Health Organization and US Surgeon General, "has been the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health." 0.3-0.6 ppm of fluoride in water (or 0.67-1.32 mg of sodium fluoride in food) significantly reduces plaque formation by 40-60% by strengthening the tooth enamel through sterilization. Because teeth development starts before the teeth actually appear, it is recommended that infants get the right amount of fluoride from 6 months onwards.

Common Concerns on Water Sterilization

Some parents think that exposing the baby to some bacteria can help build immune system. This is the philosophy behind vaccination. But vaccination only uses inactivated bacteria, which a baby's undeveloped immune system can already handle. Exposing your baby to live and active bacteria is therefore not worth the risk.

Some consumers also believe that natural mineral waters offer health benefits. While this is true for adults, the high mineral content typically present in such waters may not be suitable for infants as they can tax or overwork their kidneys. The World Health Organization adds that they are "unaware of any convincing evidence to support the beneficial effects of consuming such mineral waters."

Complementary Feeding: Guide to Feeding Babies

Breastmilk, or formula milk for some, is by far the most important food source for babies. Milk is the primary dietary cvomponent for babies from 0 to 6 months. However, as babies grow, their nutritional needs also grow. In order to meet these growing nutritional needs, parents are encouraged to complement breat or formula milk with solid foods.

Importance of Complementary Feeding: Meeting Baby's Higher Nutritional Needs

According to the Food Nutrition Research Institute or FNRI (2002), the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake or RENI per day for babies 0-6 months is 500 kcal, 9 g of protein and 0.38 mg of iron. However, babies 6-12 months need approximately 44% more calories, 56% more protein and 2500% (thats 25x) more iron. Specifically, starting 6 months onwards, babies need 720 kcal of energy, 14g of protein and 10 mg of iron in their diet every day!

Introducing Solid Fods: When to Start Complementary Feeding

It is advisable to start complementary feeding at 6 months when babies' nutritional needs are higher. This is also the time when babies are generally physically and developmentally ready to eat - they are able to control their head, they can sit with little or no support, and they start to show interest in food. (According to some research, introducing solids before this age is related to obesity and eating disorders in adults.)

Choosing the Right Complementary Food: Start Baby's Path to a Lifetime of Healthy Eating

On average, babies' stomach capacity is 1oz (or 2 tbsp) at birth, 6 oz (or 1 cup) at 6 months, and 8 oz (or 1 glass) at 1 year. By comparison, adults' stomach capacity is 32 oz (or 1 pitcher). Because babies' stomach capacity is only as small as a cup, it is very important to choose the right complementary foods for your baby.

Complementary foods should be nutrient- and energy-dense. Complete nutrition for babies should meet the earlier stated RENI per day, with sufficient carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. It is important to deliver all these essential nutrients in a small serving. At the same time, complementary foods should be gentle to babies' stomach. They should be easy to digest, and should not cause diarrhea or constipation.

Carbohydrate is important for babies' daily energy. Some examples of food rich with carbohydrate are bread, rice, noodles, potato and camote. Protein is important for the development of strong bones and immunity. Foods rich with protein are egg, fish, chicken, lean beef and pork, cheese, liver, monggo, beans and yoghurt. Fat is an important source of energy and vital for getting healthy skin. Food sources for fat are butter, vegetable oil, margarine and also meat. Lastly, vitamins and minerals are important for healthy growth and development. Vitamins and minerals can come from leafy vegetables (malunggay, broccoli, camote tops, kangkong, pechay, ampalaya leaves), non-leafy vegetables (squash, carrots, white squash, sayote), fruits (banana, papaya, apple, mango, orange, melon), and others (meat and iron-fortified cereals).

Sample Daily Menu for Babies: Complete Nutrition in Every Meal with Various Tastes and Textures

• Breakfast: Breast/Formula Milk + 2 tablespoon cereals + 1/2 boiled egg yolk + 2 tablespoon papaya.
• Morning Snack: Breast/Formula Milk + 1/2 sliced bread with thinly spread butter + 1/4 orange.
• Lunch: Breast/Formula Milk + 1/2 cup rice + 1 tablespoon boiled chicken with 2 tablespoon squash + 1/4 medium-sized banana.
• Afternoon Snack: Breast/Formula Milk + 1/4 sliced bread with grated cheese + 2 tablespoon apple.
• Dinner: Breast/Formula Milk + 1/2 cup potato + 2 tablespoon carrots with 2 tablespoon fish + 2 tablespoon ripe mangoes.

How to Start Feeding Baby: Give Your Baby One Type of Food at a Time

Before you start anything, remember to practice good hygiene in preparing your baby's food. Don't forget to wash your hands and your baby's hands, and to use clean (preferably sterilized) utensils. Introduce one new food at a time for 3 days. This is to prevent babies from developing allergic reactions to different foods. Start with giving 1-2 tablespoon of iron-fortified cereals, rice, mashed meat and fish, and pureed fruits and vegetables. Don't worry if baby refuses a type of food! It takes 10-15 attempts before a type of food is accepted. After successful introduction of new foods, you may begin to combine different foods, preferably as suggested in the sample menu above.