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Are Water Softeners Safe for Babies?

Hard water is a problem for many households, but it usually is treated easily with the use of water softeners. However, parents should be careful when using softened water, as it could contain too much sodium in it for formula-fed babies to drink.

  1. Hard Water

    • Water that has an excess amount of magnesium and calcium is considered "hard water." This can lead to a buildup of minerals in your pipes and can make soap and laundry detergent less effective, as they do not suds up as well.

    Water Softeners

    • To combat the problem of hard water, many people use a water softening system, which usually uses sodium to replace the magnesium and calcium ions. All water contains sodium, but water that has been softened usually has a higher concentration. This is usually fine for most people, unless they are on a low-sodium diet, but babies need special consideration as well.

    Baby Formula

    • Most baby formula contains sodium, and it is important for babies not to get too much sodium. Formula is designed to be used with regular water, with a low sodium level, so combining it with softened water could mean the baby is ingesting too much sodium.

    Danger to Babies

    • A 2002 study published in the "Journal of Hypertension" found that babies who were fed formula made from water that had a higher sodium content than what is usually found in North America had higher blood pressure. Parents should use caution when using a water softening product and contact the manufacturer about the levels of sodium it will produce in the water.

    Alternative

    • One way to get around this issue is to have the water softening system installed only on the hot water lines. Most of the hard water issues will be solved, and you can use the cold water to mix formula for the baby without the worry of extra sodium.

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