When can I stop boiling water for my baby?

You'll need to use cooled, boiled water for any of your baby's drinks until they are 12 months old. Boiling the water will kill any bacteria in it.

If you're making powdered formula milk, allow the water to sit for at least 30 minutes so that it's lukewarm (about body temperature) before making up the formula feed. If you're in a rush, cool it by holding the lidded bottle under cold running water.

In the first six months, exclusively breastfed babies don’t need extra drinks of water as they get all the fluid they need from breastmilk. But if your baby is formula-fed, they may need the occasional drink of water, especially on hot days. Cooled, boiled water is the best choice. Between six months and their first birthday, all babies can have small amounts of cooled, boiled water.

Avoid using bottled water which may not have fluoride added. Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.

If you have your own spring, tank, well or borehole in the garden, get your water supply checked before giving it to your baby. Many private water supplies are high in nitrate levels and not recommended for babies. If this applies to you, then bottled still water would be a safer option.

Find out how to sterilise bottle-feeding equipment.