If you are using either liquid concentrate or powdered formula to feed your baby, you need to mix it with safe, sterilized water. 

How do I make sure my tap water is safe for making formula? 

Check if: 

• your home has lead pipes, soldered connections or brass or chrome-plated brass taps. These can be found in older homes. See Be Lead Aware to find out if your home could have lead. 
• your water is from a municipal well. If so, it may not be safe to use. 
• there is a boil water advisory in your community or if you are getting brown water out of your tap. If so, do not use the water. 
• your home uses a water softener. Do not use tap water if you use a water softener. 

If you do not have a safe water source, use:

• Ready-to-use formula OR 
• Bottled water to prepare your powdered or concentrated infant formula. Bottled water still needs to be sterilized before use. 

How to Sterilize Water 

Fill a clean pot with water, cover and bring to a rolling boil for two minutes. 

• Sterilized water can be stored in a covered sterilized container at room temperature for 24 hours or in the fridge for two to three days. 
• How you use sterilized water depends on whether you use liquid concentrate formula or powdered formula.  Please refer to the page on the formula type for more information. 

Did you know?

All feeding equipment needs to be sterilized. Check out this link for all your sterilizing needs. 

References

• Lead and Winnipeg’s Water – City of Winnipeg
• Be Lead Aware – Formula Feeding Factsheet – Manitoba Government