Tap water in parks/resorts OK to use for infant formula?

[sckennedy12]

Hi! DH and I have been to Disney many times (got married there! ), but in a couple weeks we'll be taking our 9 month old son for the first time. He has recently switched from nursing to formula, and I'm curious about the tap water at the parks/resorts. We use our tap water to mix his formula while at home, but we usually bring a gallon of purified water with us when we travel to the in-laws or elsewhere. We're flying, though, and probably can't bring that much water with us (for weight purposes). I'd rather not spend a bunch of money on bottled water everyday while we're there. Those of you who have taken babies to DW...what water do you use to mix the formula?

If you have any other tips about traveling with an infant, please feel free to share! We're planning to bring our own jogging stroller, as well as a carrier. We're also planning to make good use of the baby centers in each park

Thanks!

 

[mousehunter3]

I would not use the tap water. IMO, it tastes terrible. I would order bottled water from Garden Grocer. When we went, we order 2 30-packs of water and I am so glad we did.

 

[sckennedy12]

We looked into Garden Grocer, but they don't have any delivery times available for the first two days we'll be there. We're only there 5 days, so paying $40 minimum plus a $14 delivery fee just for the second half of our trip doesn't seem worth it to me. Oh well...I think we'll just buy bottled water at the resort and avoid the tap water like you said. Thanks for the reply!

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

Most resorts have gallon jugs of distilled water. If they don't have it out just ask, sometimes they keep it behind the counter. We had to get some for my moms cpap machine. I don't remember the exact price wanna say $3-4.

 

[ilovebassets]

I used tap water for my older son when he was five months old at WDW without any problem.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would not use it. We think it taste terrible. While I am sure it is safe, there is a good chance that your baby will not drink it. We have bought gallons in the resort gift shops. I would either fill your bottles with this water in the am and add the power at feeding time, or use bottle water from the parks or you can get free cups of water at any CS location. This is filtered and taste much better. It would be very cold however so that might be an issue.

 

[sckennedy12]

Thanks so much!! I had no clue that they sell gallons at the resorts. Good tip!

 

[bumbershoot]

As far as I know, Orlando water is fluoridated. (as is any Dasani, etc, that's bottled in the area) From the CDC:

Recent evidence suggests that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing the faint, white markings of very mild or mild enamel fluorosis.

"Faint", LOL. DS's dance teacher has absolutely horrid white marks on her teeth from growing up with fluoridated water. I have white spots from just the small bit I got growing up (and my mom exempted me from the fluoride experiments my elementary school did because she was aware even back then that what they put in our water is industrial waste, and is dangerous enough that if the companies weren't being paid by water companies, THEY would have to pay to get rid of it safely...which is beyond mindboggling, but I digress).

I personally wouldn't give an infant fluoridated water. Then again, fluoride makes me very ill, and I finally got rid of the every-day nausea by working to NOT drink my town's fluoridated water. We even cook with our spring water now. Now it's no more nausea every day of my life since moving here.

 

[mjkacmom]

I personally wouldn't give an infant fluoridated water. Then again, fluoride makes me very ill, and I finally got rid of the every-day nausea by working to NOT drink my town's fluoridated water. We even cook with our spring water now. Now it's no more nausea every day of my life since moving here.

We don't have fluoridated water, so my kids got fluoridated vitamins when they were little (prescription). All of my kids had formula made with tap water. OP, just make a bottle, and see how it goes. If it is refused, buy water. ETA, I doubt your child's teeth will be ruined by 5 days of tap water!

 

[dsneygirl]

Would you consider buying the ready to feed liquid? It is a lot more expensive but so much less hassle (doesn't have to be refridgerated). We have done WDW 5x with an infant over the years and always do that.

 

[blessedby3]

I wouldn't use it. I think the water taste nasty. If GG doesn't have any openings, you could try wegoshop or I think Staples used to ship water as well. If they sell it in the resorts like the pp said, that is a great option.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We use tap water for our formula, but no way would I use the WDW tap water. It gives me tummy troubles after a few days. I can only imagine what it would do to a baby.

 

[jahber]

All I'm going to say is, based on my personal experience, most of the babies who live in Orlando and drink formula drink formula made using tap water--and we may be weird (really weird), but I doubt it's the water's fault . I'm a native, and while I hate the taste of our water straight from the tap (I use a filter pitcher exclusively at home for drinking), I can't taste any difference once something is added, like a flavored water packet or in cooking. I'd at least give it a try before spending money on what is essentially tap water in a bottle. If your baby won't drink the tap water, then you'll know to grab a gallon.

 

[Gracie09]

I don't think stomach issues is an indicator of anything wrong with the water just it's not what you are use to. There may be different (but safe) bacteria in it that your body is just not use to. I use to live in New Orleans and when I would travel home to New York my stomach took a couple days to adjust. I usually have a pretty iron clad stomach so it's not my stomach.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't think stomach issues is an indicator of anything wrong with the water just it's not what you are use to. There may be different (but safe) bacteria in it that your body is just not use to. I use to live in New Orleans and when I would travel home to New York my stomach took a couple days to adjust. I usually have a pretty iron clad stomach so it's not my stomach.

right, and OP's baby is NOT going to be used to Orlando tap water.

 

[ChiBub]

We were there a few weeks ago, and there are water coolers in the baby care centers. They let us fill our bottles of water there too (using a paper funnel) and the water tasted much better than the tap water, leading me to believe it's provided by a water service and isn't Orlando tap water. If taste is your concern, I think you can get by using those, at least in the parks.

 

[letsgoreds]

Of course you can use tap water! It is totally safe. There are a lot of babies in the Orlando area, and I am sure many of them are on formula. Don't overthink it, you will be fine.

Anywhere they sell soft drinks (stands, quick service) you can ask for a free cup of water (any size). I would feel better filling with that vs. drinking fountain/bathroom...but it is all the same water coming from the same water treatment facility.

With DS2 we used the ready to feed/premixed stuff, in part because there was a recall on the powder, so they deeply discounted the bottles...and it was totally awesome. Super duper easy...maybe price out Amazon or elsewhere to have a case shipped out.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

we signed up for staples.com rewards. it was free to join and gives you free delivery. so we had a case of Nestle Pure Life water delivered for a total of 5.99 and it was delivered to our room once we checked in. We also had a 3 inch play yard mattress delivered from amazon for $35 and it too was delivered. It fit a bit too roomy in our play yard that we brought in our suitcase, but it fit perfectly in the provided Graco one in the resort. The provided board pad was as comfy as it sounds. Also, you can carry plenty of baby food and formula with your in your carry-on. We have flown 6x and each time i have packed a gallon zip lock full and sometimes even more and they always look through it but have never commented on the quantity. We used the ready to go formula that is stored at room temperature to mix in her cereal. It can be pricey but Kroger often has them Bogo and i found $2 off coupons stuck on the package so i ended up getting a four pack for $1, stocked up and used them all this year on our trips. We tried the same brands' to go packets to mix with water but DD hated them and would not drink it.. i hated the smell. The premixed kind had no smell, but barely has any fat.. that is the enfagrow toddler milk. your 9 month old would be on another kind. have a great time and good luck! bring way more diapers with you than you think you'll need.. and bring MORE to the parks to. We ran out on our last day DD used her diaper all day rather than the potty and went through the 10 diapers we brought unknowingly, then during dinner she dirtied and i realized we were OUT. Luckily a lady saved my day and had one to share.