What Kind of Water Should I Choose for My Baby? A Guide to Choosing Safe Water for Japanese Parents
What kind of water should I choose for my baby?
Many parents probably wonder what kind of water to choose
for preparing formula and hydrating their baby.
Especially when living overseas,
you may feel anxious about the differences in water types and components.
When choosing water for babies,
it's important to prioritize "gentleness" and "drinkability" even more than for adults.
What is the difference between soft and hard water?
Water is broadly classified into "soft water" and "hard water."
The difference lies in the amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
・Soft water: Low in minerals, smooth on the palate.
・Hard water: High in minerals, with a distinctive taste.
Japanese water is mainly soft water,
known for being easy to drink every day.
Why is soft water suitable for babies?
Babies' digestive systems are still undeveloped,
so they are thought to be easily affected by the components in water.
Therefore, soft water, which is generally believed to have fewer minerals and be less burdensome,
tends to be preferred.
Additionally, soft water has less distinctive taste,
which means it's less likely to alter the taste of milk.
Tips for choosing water abroad
In many countries overseas, including Thailand,
hard water, which contains many minerals, is widely available.
Therefore, if you choose water with the same感覚 as in Japan,
you might find it difficult to drink.
When choosing water, it's reassuring to check the following points:
・Hardness (mineral content)
・Drinkability
・Reliability of quality control
Characteristics of Onsensui 99
Among these choices, ultra-soft water is chosen by those
who seek a gentle drinking experience.
Onsensui 99 is natural water sourced from deep underground in Tarumizu Onsen, Kagoshima Prefecture,
and is ultra-soft water with an extremely low hardness value of 1.7.
Furthermore, despite being alkaline with a pH of 9.9,
it features a mild and easy-to-drink taste.
It is chosen by many people as water that is easy to use for daily hydration
as well as for preparing formula.
※Please use according to your household's judgment for specific uses.
Tips for choosing water in daily life
Choosing water for your baby doesn't have to be a special task;
even a little awareness in daily life can make a difference.
For example:
・Choose water that is easy to drink.
・Check the ingredient label.
・Choose reliable products.
These accumulated efforts lead to peace of mind.
Summary
When choosing water for your baby,
it's important to prioritize "gentleness" and "peace of mind."
Soft water, in particular, is chosen by many
for its drinkability and ease of use.
By being a little particular about water in your daily life,
you might be able to live with greater peace of mind.
■ Related Articles
・What is Water Hardness? Explaining the Differences Between Soft and Hard Water
・What is Onsensui 99? Features and Commitment
・Comparison of Mineral Waters Available in Thailand
