Safe Drinking Water for Your Baby: Boiling, Storage and Formula Prep in Pakistan

In much of Pakistan, tap water is not safe to drink as it comes, and contaminated water is a leading cause of the diarrhoea that hospitalises — and sometimes kills — young children. A baby's gut is especially vulnerable. The good news is that safe water and safe feeds are within every family's reach with a few simple habits.

Making water safe

For any water a baby under one will drink, or that goes into their feeds:

Bring it to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, then let it cool.
Store the cooled boiled water in a clean, covered container and use it within 24 hours.
Do not assume bottled "mineral" water or an ordinary household filter is sterile — for a young baby, boiling is the reliable method.
Keep the jug, container and cups clean, and never dip fingers into stored water.

Preparing formula safely

Powdered formula is not sterile — the powder itself can carry bacteria — so how you mix it matters. Health authorities recommend making each feed with water that is still hot enough to kill those germs:

Boil fresh water and let it cool for no more than about 30 minutes, so it stays around 70°C (still hot, not lukewarm).
Measure the water into a clean, sterilised bottle first, then add the exact scoops stated on the tin — no more, no less.
Shake to mix, then cool the bottle quickly by holding it under running tap water.
Test a few drops on the inside of your wrist; it should feel just warm, not hot.

Make feeds fresh, one at a time, whenever you can. Use a prepared feed within two hours at room temperature, and throw away whatever the baby does not finish within an hour of starting, as germs from the mouth grow in leftover milk. Never warm a bottle in the microwave — it heats unevenly and can scald the mouth.

Keeping bottles clean

Wash bottles and teats in hot, soapy water with a bottle brush right after use.
Sterilise them at least once a day — boiling in water for about five minutes is simple and effective.
Store the clean, dry bottles covered.

What about babies under six months?

A baby under six months who is exclusively breastfed does not need any water — not even in the fierce heat of a Punjabi summer. Breast milk is mostly water and adjusts to keep the baby hydrated, and extra water can actually be harmful at this age. If you are formula feeding, the water inside properly made-up feeds is enough. Plain drinking water can be offered in small sips once solids begin at around six months.

Clean water and clean feeds are among the simplest, most powerful things you can do to keep your baby well. If your baby does develop diarrhoea or vomiting, start ORS and speak to your doctor promptly — dehydration in a small baby is not something to manage alone for long.