When we’re preparing a bottle for our baby, we want clear guidelines: water that’s safe, suitable and easy to choose. Yet, on the shelf, the labels can seem rather technical: nitrates, minerals, dry residue, pH… And as parents, we don’t want to have to second-guess ourselves with every bottle.

The good news is that by understanding a few key points, we can choose a bottle of water for our baby with complete confidence.

In this article, we explain where to look for the phrase ‘suitable for infant feeding’, how to check nitrate levels, why the dry residue should be low (guideline: < 500 mg/L) and how pH can be a useful indicator for babies prone to reflux (GOR).

Why learning to read a label makes all the difference (and puts your mind at ease)

Not all water is the same. Its composition varies depending on the source, the terrain and the collection method. And for a young child, this is particularly important: their kidneys are still developing, and before they start eating solid foods, the water used in their bottles makes up a significant proportion of their diet.

Where the quality of tap water cannot be guaranteed, ANSES recommends using a suitable bottled water from your baby’s very first months.

Roche Claire water meets these requirements and can be used with complete confidence to prepare your baby’s bottles and meals.

Reading a label therefore means:

• choosing suitable water,
• avoiding water that is too high in minerals,
• checking for sensitive parameters such as nitrates,
• and feeling more at ease in your daily life.

Unlike tap water, also known as mains water, whose potability can vary depending on the water supply network, pipework or local conditions, bottled water intended for infants meets specific health and safety requirements and undergoes regular checks.

Reading a label carefully is therefore also a simple way to ensure the safety of the water you give your baby.

The statement ‘suitable for infant feeding’: key point no. 1

Where can this information be found on the label?

On a bottle of baby water, the most important statement to look out for is: ‘suitable for feeding infants’

This is usually found:

• on the front,
• or on the back, near the nutritional information.

Why it’s important

This statement means that the water meets strict regulatory requirements (microbiological and physico-chemical criteria, and authorised claims).

In practice: if this statement does not appear on the label, we avoid using this water for babies.

Nitrates: the number one factor to check

What are nitrates?

Nitrates are substances that occur naturally in the environment. Their concentration may increase as a result of the use of agricultural fertilisers or soil pollution. Their concentration is stated on the label in mg/L.

The regulatory threshold for infants

For water to be suitable for infant feeding : Nitrates ≤ 10 mg/L

Why are nitrate levels monitored in babies ?

In the body, some nitrates can be converted into nitrites. In infants, these nitrites can reduce the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Possible (rare) symptoms:

• unusual tiredness,
• difficulty breathing,
• a bluish tinge around the mouth.

Where can you find them on the label?

In the analytical composition : Nitrates (NO₃⁻): X mg/L

Minerals: beneficial, but only in small amounts for very young children

Why light water is preferable

Minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphates, fluoride, etc.) are beneficial to the body. In infants, most of their intake already comes from breast milk or infant formula.

Water that is too high in minerals can increase the workload on kidneys that are not yet fully developed.

Minerals to watch out for

• Sodium: should be kept low to avoid excessive salt intake.
• Sulphates: should be avoided when levels are high (may cause digestive discomfort).
• Fluoride: should be monitored over time to avoid excessive intake.

Dry residue: the key indicator of mineralisation

Simple definition

The dry residue is the total quantity of minerals remaining after the water has evaporated (measured at 180°C). Dry residue at 180°C: X mg/L

The threshold to be used

For an infant: Dry residue < 500 mg/L

Example: Roche Claire water

• Suitable for infants: ✅
• Dry residue: 118.5 mg/L ✅
• Sodium: 0.3 mg/L ✅
• Sulphates: 15.2 mg/L ✅
• Nitrates: 1.0 mg/L ✅

➡️ A low-mineral-content water, suitable for baby bottles and enjoyable for the whole family.

PH: What’s the point in the case of GERD?

The pH indicates whether water is acidic, neutral or alkaline:

• pH < 7: acidic
• pH = 7: neutral
• pH > 7: basic / alkaline

Some families have noticed that slightly alkaline water is sometimes better tolerated by babies prone to reflux. This is never a substitute for medical advice.

With a pH of 8.3, Roche Claire is an alkaline water that may be worth considering for some sensitive babies.

Shelf checklist: 7 quick checks

• ✅ Labelled ‘suitable for infant feeding’
• ✅ Nitrates ≤ 10 mg/L
• ✅ Dry residue < 500 mg/L
• ✅ Low sodium
• ✅ Moderate sulphates
• ✅ Suitable pH if your baby is prone to GERD
• ✅ Seek advice from a healthcare professional if in doubt

Why Roche Claire water is a reassuring choice

At Roche Claire, we help parents make confident choices:

• Water suitable for feeding infants,
• Low mineral content (118.5 mg/L),
• Very low nitrate levels (1.0 mg/L),
• Very low sodium content (0.3 mg/L)
• An alkaline pH of 8.3, which may be a useful guide for some babies prone to reflux.

And because every baby is unique: in the event of specific medical advice, we always recommend seeking the advice of a healthcare professional.

To find out more, we invite you to discover Roche Claire water at www.eau-rocheclaire.com and our advice for new parents: simple, reliable and reassuring guidance for the whole family’s day-to-day life.