What kind of water should you choose for your baby? How to choose water that every family member can feel safe drinking [For residents of Thailand]
Are you concerned about choosing water for your baby?
What criteria should you use to choose water for preparing baby formula and baby food?
Especially for Japanese families living in Thailand, many people
- find that there are many types of mineral water,
- don't understand the difference between soft and hard water,
- and are looking for water suitable for their baby.
In fact, choosing water is an important point that affects not only your baby but also the health and daily diet of the entire family.
This article explains everything from the basics of choosing water for your baby to how to choose water that your whole family can drink with peace of mind.
What kind of water is suitable for babies?
For preparing baby formula, soft water with low mineral content is generally considered suitable.
Because powdered milk is formulated with a balanced nutritional content, using hard water, which contains many minerals, may affect the original balance of ingredients.
Therefore, many households in Japan use soft water.
Differences between soft and hard water
Water is classified as "soft water" or "hard water" depending on the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains.
Soft water
- Low mineral content
- Smooth mouthfeel
- Familiar to Japanese people
- Easy to use for preparing formula and cooking
Hard water
- High mineral content
- Distinctive flavor
- Used daily in some regions
Most tap water and natural water in Japan is soft water, and it tends to suit the Japanese palate.
Tips for choosing water for the whole family
Even when choosing water for your baby, it is important to consider whether it is safe for the entire family to drink.
Since it's water you drink every day, check the following points.
1. Drinkability
No matter how good the quality, if it's hard to drink, you won't continue using it.
Water with a mild taste is
- easy for children,
- adults,
- and the elderly
to drink, making it easy to incorporate into daily life.
2. Hardness
Japanese people are used to soft water, so they may find hard water difficult to drink.
Also, the difference in water can affect the taste of
- formula,
- tea,
- coffee,
- and rice when cooked.
3. Quality control
It is also important to choose water with a clear source, manufacturing method, and quality control system.
Since it's something you consume every day, choose water that you can use with peace of mind.
What you need to know when choosing water in Thailand
Many mineral waters are sold in Thailand.
However, many of them have a higher hardness than water in Japan, so Japanese people may find them difficult to drink.
You will especially notice the difference in water when
- preparing baby formula,
- baby food,
- tea or coffee,
- and cooking rice.
Therefore, we recommend that Japanese families living in Thailand choose water while checking its hardness and drinkability.
Soft water is easy to use for cooking and drinks
Soft water is not only for babies but also easy to use for daily meals and drinks.
For example, it is said to bring out the original flavor of ingredients in
- tea,
- coffee,
- Japanese tea,
- miso soup,
- and cooked rice.
Since it's water the whole family uses every day, its compatibility with cooking is also an important point, not just for drinking.
ONSENSUI99 as an option
ONSENSUI99 is a natural alkaline hot spring water drawn from 750m underground in Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Its features are:
- pH 9.9
- ultra-soft water with a hardness of 1.7 mg/L
- a mellow taste
- and a thorough Japanese quality control system.
With a very low hardness of 1.7 mg/L, it is chosen by those who prioritize ease of drinking.
It is also used in various daily life situations for families, such as:
- preparing formula,
- tea,
- coffee,
- and cooking rice.
Related articles
- Comparison of mineral waters available in Thailand
- What is water hardness? Differences between soft and hard water
- What is easy-to-drink water? Tips for choosing
- Why ONSENSUI99 is called ultra-soft water
Summary | Choosing water for the whole family, not just babies
Choosing water for your baby is also about choosing water for the entire family.
Since it's water you drink every day, it's important to check the following:
- drinkability
- hardness
- quality control
- and usage scenarios.
Especially for Japanese families, soft water with a mild and easy-to-drink taste tends to be chosen.
Why not choose water that the whole family, from babies to adults, can drink with peace of mind and use it for a healthy daily life?
■ Related articles
・What is water hardness? Explaining the differences between soft and hard water
・What is ONSENSUI99? Features and commitment
・Comparison of mineral waters available in Thailand
