Nursery® Water

Nursery® is a purified water processed by steam distillation and is available with and without added fluoride. It is packaged in convenient 1- and 2.5-gallon bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Added Fluoride – With or without?

Some parents are unclear about whether they should provide their children with Nursery® water with or without added fluoride. It is best to ask your physician or dental professional which one is right for your children and make the best choice for you.

Does Nursery® water have to be refrigerated?

After opening Nursery® water, refrigerate and use within seven (7) days. Follow good hygiene during use to preserve quality.

Do I need to boil Nursery® water?

Use as directed by physician or by labeling directions for use of infant formula. For mixing with infant formula, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends boiling non-sterile water for one minute and cooling before use.

What processes are used to prepare Nursery® water?

Nursery® is a steam-distilled water available with and without added fluoride that has gone through a stringent purification process. The process starts with filtration where impurities are removed, followed by steam distillation, resulting in a drinking water in its simplest form. Next, minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium are added back to Nursery water, to give it a pure, fresh taste. Finally, micron filtration ensures clarity and product quality. The last step is ozonation, which disinfects the water.

What is the shelf life for Nursery® water?

Just how long Nursery® water is ok to use once opened depends on a variety of factors. Understanding that Nursery water is not sterile, once opened we recommend the following: Use as directed by physician or by labeling directions for use of infant formula. For mixing with infant formula, the FDA recommends boiling non-sterile water for one minute and cooling before use. After opening, refrigerate and use within seven (7) days. Follow good hygiene during use to preserve quality.

What makes Nursery® water special?

Nursery® is steam-distilled water available with and without added fluoride and may be used to mix with formula (refer to formula label instructions) and cereal, to dilute juice, and is a good source of drinking water as directed by your physician (see below).

Nursery water uses distilled water as its base. Distilled water is produced by filtering source water through sand and activated carbon to remove chlorine, unpleasant taste and odor, as well as sediment and trihalomethanes. This filtered water is converted to steam in a stainless-steel distiller. Dissolved contaminants are left behind as the water is vaporized and condensed. The water is then bottled after being filtered through 1-micron filters and ozonated. Finally, fluoride in the amount of up to 0.7 ppm is added. Nursery water is also available without added fluoride.

At what age should I give my child plain water to drink?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies consume a diet exclusively of breast milk or formula for the first four to six months of life. A baby gets all the water he needs from formula or breast milk. It is not necessary, nor is it recommended, to give your baby plain water before he is six months old. When bottle-fed babies start eating solid food, they may be offered a few sips of water between feedings. Breast-fed babies usually do not need extra water if they are nursing on demand. Please confer with your physician.

Why are minerals added to Nursery® water?

Calcium, magnesium and potassium are added for taste. At the levels used, they do not provide any nutritional benefits.

Since Nursery® water is distilled, is it sterile?

No. Nursery® water, like any bottled water, is not considered sterile. Use as directed by physician or by labeling directions for use with baby formula.

Why is my bottle of Nursery® water discolored or moldy?

In most cases, discoloration is caused when particles of formula inadvertently enter the bottle of Nursery® water when preparing your child’s bottle. When mixing Nursery water with formula, it is important that you pour the water into a clean bottle first and then add the correct amount of formula. Formula particles that enter the bottle of Nursery water may also cause mold to form if not handled properly.

If I use Nursery® water, do I still give my child fluoride supplements?

Nursery® water is NOT a fluoride supplement. Consult your physician or dental professional if using other fluoridated products.

Is Nursery® water an electrolyte solution?

Nursery® is a bottled water and does NOT contain electrolytes. It should never be used as a nutritional supplement.

What is the quality and/or mineral content of Nursery® water?

Please refer to the complete water quality reports below:
Nursery® water with added fluoride
English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
Nursery® water without added fluoride
English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare or dental professionals looking for Nursery® product information for your patients may contact us via email. Nursery will provide free bilingual brochures with product information and usage tips for your office.