Can I use bottled water to make formula at 6 months?

What the evidence says

Yes, you can use bottled water to make your baby's formula at 6 months. Health Canada says both regular tap water and most bottled water are fine for mixing powdered or concentrated formula, as long as it is not carbonated or mineral water.

No matter which water you pick, the powder itself is not sterile, so Canadian guidance says to heat the water first. You cool boiled water to 70 degrees Celsius before mixing it with the powder, then cool the finished bottle down to room or body temperature before feeding.

One thing worth knowing about is fluoride, a mineral added to many community water systems to protect teeth. Some bottled waters contain fluoride and some do not, and using fluoridated water often to mix formula can slightly raise the chance of a cosmetic tooth condition called dental fluorosis, which shows up as faint white marks on teeth. This is usually mild and does not hurt tooth health.

If you live somewhere with naturally very high fluoride levels in the water, Health Canada suggests choosing a lower-fluoride bottled water for formula. Otherwise, either tap or bottled water is a reasonable everyday choice, and you do not need to stick to only one type.

If you are ever unsure whether your local tap water is safe, for example during a boil water advisory, bottled water is a good backup option, just remember it still needs to be prepared the same careful way as tap water.