It's times like this I wish I was back home :(
For the time being I managed to find bottled water which is apparently recommended and used for babies at carrefour- it's called 'Sanine'?
To be honest though I don't trust any of these options...I have an appt with Dr. Syed Ahmed at City Hospital next monday, I'll also ask him what he thinks I should do. I feel helpless and don't want to give anything that's potentially harmful to my LO :(
My pediatrician says the best thing to do is get one of the water fillter jugs (like Brita Navelia) fillter tap water then boil it. He says the mineral content in bottled water is too high for babies not just the sodium content.
I would not even use tap water for my own tea here so would definitely not give it to my baby! I boiled bottled water for the first 6 months and then started using the bottled water unboiled, straight from the water cooler, as boiling does increase the mineral content of the bottled water which isn't really desirabe either. Whether you use boiled tap water / boiled bottled water / unboiled bottled water for formula - none of the options available here are ideal, in the absence of official guidance all you can really do is follow your gut!
'demineralized' is just ones with lowest Sodium content, as Chula said 'Aquafina' or 'Arwa' were the ones she used since they have lowest content in them... Both of them are easy to get in most shops. Welcome to Dubai :)
thank you so much guys!
I have also been told to buy 'demineralized' bottled water for babies formula. I'm not sure where or even if that is sold here?
Hi Cleo4e,
I've been here 10 years and had three babies born here. When i first arrived i drank the tap water and i believe it was fine but these days i prefer to drink bottled water and i have the big gallon bottles delivered. I use the tap water for cooking and tea and coffee but i have always used the small bottles of water for my babies until they are at least one year old. I usually use Aquafina or Arwa as i think the have the lowest sodium content. I don't think there is actually anything wrong with the tap water but it can be affected by how clean or dirty your tank and pipes are so i never risked it.
I hope this helps.
I've always used tap water boiled in the kettle, just a normal boil. But....my babies have all been born overseas and so might be a bit hardier than your average bear. Not sure. I do know that some bottled waters are too 'minerally' and over boiling water brings it's own problems too.
Welcome to Dubai!
Hi Guys!
I have officially re-located to Dubai. Arrived tonight with LO and DH. I had a questions regarding powder and concentrate formula.
I need to add water to the formula and was just wondering if it's safe to use tap water or would bottled water be better? Either way I intend on boiling it for at least 2 mins. I am going to look for a pediatrician first thing tomorrow. I also gave him a bath and am scared that the little bit of water he swallowed could make him sick? I'm a first time mom- can you tell? hahaha