A Guest Blog Post by Beth Rush, the Mindfulness Editor at Body+Mind.
You’ve probably got your hands full mastering diaper changes, late-night feeds and deciphering baby cues, but there’s another essential factor you may not have considered yet: your home’s water quality. Whether you’re preparing a bottle, washing a bottle or running a bath for your little one, the safety of the water is more important than you might think.
From lead to per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS), harmful contaminants can find their way into your home’s water supply, posing potential risks to your baby’s health. Fortunately, testing your water at home is simpler and more affordable than ever. By understanding common contaminants and the practical ways to ensure your water is safe, you can take the necessary steps to protect your family’s health.
Why Water Quality Matters for New Moms
Infants are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults since their kidneys and other essential organs are still developing, making them less capable of filtering toxins. For example, exposing a child to even small amounts of lead can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties and behavioral problems.
Water quality also extends beyond drinking water. It affects everything your baby interacts with — from the formula you’re preparing to the bottles you use and even bathwater. Contaminants could be transferred to your baby through these routine activities, leading to unnecessary health risks. However, you might not know how to test water at home for lead or purify it at home.
The importance of clean water is widely recognized in the food and beverage industry. It relies on purified water for cleaning and sanitizing to make products safe for consumption. This shows just how crucial water purity is in safeguarding health and highlights why it’s equally important for your home supply to be free from harmful substances.
How Can I Test the Quality of My Drinking Water at Home?
Testing your water at home is a simple and effective way to ensure it’s safe for you and your baby. There are a few different methods available, depending on the type of contaminants you’re concerned about and how thorough you want the test to be. Here’s an overview of the most common options.
- DIY Test Kits
DIY water testing kits are one of the most convenient and affordable ways to check your water quality. These kits can test for a variety of contaminants like lead, nitrates, chlorine and bacteria. They are available online or in stores and often come with simple instructions for collecting a sample and sending it to the lab for analysis.
Although these kits are easy to use and inexpensive, they may not detect all the contaminants in your water and the results may not be as comprehensive as lab tests. If you choose a DIY kit, make sure it specifically tests for what you’re concerned about, such as lead or nitrates.
- Laboratory Testing
For a more thorough analysis, consider sending a sample of your water to a certified laboratory. Lab tests can detect a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria and even pollutants that are just beginning to appear. Some labs offer specialized testing for infant-specific concerns, like nitrates, which can be harmful to infants under 6 months old.
Laboratory tests provide detailed, accurate results that cover a broad range of contaminants, but they are more expensive and time-consuming because results may take a few weeks. Look for a lab that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the test is accurate and reliable.
- Water Reports From Your Municipality
Your local water supplier may provide annual water quality reports, which detail testing results and list potential contaminants. These reports can be a good starting point to get an overview of your water quality. However, keep in mind they may not cover the full range of contaminants you might be concerned about, especially those related to your plumbing, like lead from old pipes.
Although municipal reports are free and easy to access, they offer a limited scope and may not reflect contaminants specific to your home. Check with your local water utility to request a copy of the latest report. If you have concerns about certain substances not tested for, you can follow up by using a DIY kit or sending a sample to a lab.
What to Do If Your Water Isn’t Safe
If your water tests reveal that your water is indeed unsafe, don’t panic. There are several practical steps you can take to ensure that your water is safe for both you and your baby. Here’s how to purify water at home.
- Install a Water Filter
One of the most effective ways to address common water contaminants like lead, nitrates and chlorine is by installing a water filter. There are many different types, like activated carbon filters for removing chlorine and sediment, reverse osmosis systems to eliminate lead, nitrates and PFAs, and whole-house filters to clean all the water entering your home to ensure it’s free from harmful substances.
Be sure to select a filter that is certified to remove the specific contaminants you found in your water and replace it regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use Bottled Water for Formula and Bottle Cleaning
If you’re unable to install a water filter right away, consider using bottled water to prepare and clean your baby’s bottles. Ensure it’s labeled as purified or distilled, as this proves it’s been treated to remove contaminants that may have been in it.
Although using bottled water is a temporary solution, it can provide peace of mind while you take steps to address your home water quality in the long term.
- Boil Your Water
Boiling your water is another effective way to kill bacteria and parasites, though it doesn’t remove chemicals or heavy metals like lead. If you suspect your water has biological contaminants but you’re still not sure about chemical ones, boiling it for at least one minute will make it safer to use.
Go Easy On Yourself
If you do find that the water in your home is unsafe, remember to take it easy on yourself. It can be easy to lose yourself in being a parent and focus on your baby. However, it’s just as important to pay attention to yourself and your needs, especially if you have experienced infant loss or are dealing with postpartum depression. You can reach out to therapists who can help make sense of your experience or spend some time each day doing something for yourself.
Stay Ahead of the Splash
Testing and ensuring the quality of your home water is a simple yet essential step in protecting your baby’s health. With just a little time and effort, you can identify potential contaminants and take necessary action to provide safe water for bottle prep, washing and bath time.
By staying informed and proactive, you can rest easy knowing you’re taking the best steps possible to protect your little one. Safe water means peace of mind, and that’s one less thing to worry about as you embrace the joys of motherhood.
About the Author: Beth Rush is the mindfulness editor at Body+Mind. She writes about mental health during pregnancy and beyond. She also shares tips for coping with c-PTSD, PCOS, and climate anxiety. Subscribe to the Body+Mind Newsletter for more posts by Beth.