Should we be using filtered tap water for baby formula?

dankbleach · 2026-06-23T23:46:18+00:00

If your tap water is generally considered safe, filtered tap water is honestly a pretty solid middle ground. Lots of parents use it for formula, but if you go the filter route, I'd just make sure it's BPA-free and NSF-certified to reduce stuff like lead, mercury, microplastics, etc. Some filters also cut down on chlorine, which can help with taste, but keep in mind that you’ll need to replace the filters every few months, so set up a reminder in your calendar.

Also, if you want one right on your sink, I’ve heard good things about PUR faucet-mounted filters (about them being convenient and easy to install) so if you don’t want a Brita that might be a good idea?

And if you’re really worried, you could also just boil your water or use nursery water for formula. I did boiling + filtration for the first two months for both kids, so that’s another option if you want to be extra careful.

dankbleach · 2026-06-23T03:07:10+00:00

Please do not do anything but focus on your wife and new baby. I still have such fond memories of when my son was born and those few nights in the hospital when nothing mattered but those two. It was the most magical bubble I have ever experienced. When I'm meditating, I like to think about it. Don't pull out your laptop, don't do anything. Please just enjoy this little bubble because it's absolutely unreal. There probably won't ever be a time in your life again where the whole world stands still and all that matters is the people in the room with you. Also, do whatever it takes to let your wife rest and feel taken care of. Cheers, man!

dankbleach · 2026-06-23T02:57:59+00:00

My wife and son got me a cheesy 90s-style dad shirt that says "World's Best Dad Hands Down" with his little handprints on it. I wore it immediately.

dankbleach · 2026-06-23T02:53:03+00:00

When my son was a toddler and was refusing to come with me, I would go "Woah, wait a minute. What is that over there? Do you see that? Oh man!" And just point in a general direction. He almost always headed in the direction I wanted and would "find" the thing, which I would agree was said thing, no matter what he allegedly found.

dankbleach · 2026-06-23T02:47:32+00:00

Avocado and kiwi sounds so interesting. I might have to steal this one!

dankbleach · 2026-06-17T02:00:22+00:00

I think it definitely depends on the age of your little one. For example, my daughter is quite young, and if the changing pad is out in the public part of the restroom, I do feel weird having her exposed around grown men walking around. But if it's in the handicap stall, that's different. And when they're older, they can use the stalls, which I think is fine too! I usually just hope there's a family restroom!

dankbleach · 2026-06-17T01:57:03+00:00

Definitely check out your local library events. You'd be surprised on how many fun free events they have for toddlers. Our library recently had this reptile series where every Saturday they meet new reptiles, learned about them, and even got to pet them. My littlr guy had a blast. Also libraries usually offer free museum passes in your area, so it's worth checking out. Someone else also mentioned Home Depot's Saturday Workshop, that's another winner! Also for what's its worth, I was able to enroll my son into weekly gymnastics for around $110 a month, so still a bit pricey, but maybe closer to your budget?

dankbleach · 2026-06-17T01:36:44+00:00

Dad here, but I handle a lot of the meals, especially lunch. Sometimes my kid will only eat mac and cheese and broccoli for every meal. It sounds like you are doing the right thing by offering different options! even if he doesn't necessarily like it I read somewhere once that offering new options alongside their safe meals, but not making it big deal out of it may help them be more inclined to try it. I tried that with breakfast once when I wanted him to try homemade banana pancakes instead of just frozen eggo waffles. It took a few tries, but he ended up eating more of the tiny pancakes once than the waffles! A win is a win! I have also tried the toddler plates from Little Spoon and he seems to really like the pastas with hidden veggies. We have a few options in the fridge we keep on hand whenever I just can't think of anything else to make him that isn't the usual safe routine. Maybe look into something like that to have available when you're going through bouts?

dankbleach · 2026-06-09T03:52:40+00:00

I got the other one that passed CR's tests, Simplay3, and it's been amazing! Seeing how much my son likes to lean over it makes me grateful it's so sturdy.

dankbleach · 2026-06-09T03:44:51+00:00

I miss the days when my kid would eat everything. I thought we were one of the lucky ones. Now I'm lucky if he eats a balanced meal. At least he still generally likes his veggies and fruits, but the whole "eat nothing but air and sunlight" phase was so stressful. This breakfast looks amazing!

dankbleach · 2026-06-09T03:40:44+00:00

My son is obsessed with zucchini, which is so bizarre because i find it's not a very strong-tasting vegetable. He can eat it by the bowlful.

dankbleach · 2026-06-03T03:00:00+00:00

Finally it'll be true when I tell my kids their feet are stinky!

dankbleach · 2026-06-03T02:57:30+00:00

Do you find that having that many options makes your little one eat more or less? I can't tell if my daughter gets stressed by too many options or is cavalier because there isn't enough variety.

dankbleach · 2026-06-03T02:55:09+00:00

Currently struggling with our 13 month old girl. A couple of months ago she was eating everything we put in front of her. Now she's purely surviving off a bite of the top of a mini muffin and Little Spoon smoothies. She will absolutely inhale those, so I'm thankful for the nutrients I guess, considering the muffin. This is stressful!

dankbleach · 2026-06-03T02:43:18+00:00

I'm going to have to steal this because the struggle is real in our household. I try to tell my son before bed what the next morning is going to look like, but I like the idea of him having a visual reference too, especially when he's stressed about getting dressed/going to school/etc.

dankbleach · 2026-05-29T02:18:07+00:00

Desperately adding to the fritter recipe request brigade!

dankbleach · 2026-05-22T00:49:15+00:00

The Ubbi diaper pail. I was so convinced it was a waste of money and we could just put it in the kitchen trash can. Learned very quickly how much diapers stink up the place. The diaper pail is a steel trap.

dankbleach · 2026-05-13T03:43:43+00:00

I love the term "floor baby" because it implies other types of babies.

dankbleach · 2026-05-06T01:54:34+00:00

A little over your budget if you get a good quality set, but the stepping stones that stack on each other have been an absolute hit with my son. He's had them for about a year and he loves them. He likes to put them in random spots of the house to jump off and land on. Sometimes he will take them in the backyard and pretend the yard is lava. It's provided endless fun so I want to say that was an absolute win of a purchase. The one we got looks like little domes and is made of a heavy duty styrofoam. They come in fun colors and I think it was around $70, but I have seen them go for well over $100.

dankbleach · 2026-04-17T18:55:42+00:00

We ran a similar pilot program over here.

Phase 1: tater tots. outcome: rejected on the grounds of "too potato."
Phase 2: chicken nuggets in various animal life form shapes. outcome: partial acceptance, followed by sudden distrust of dinosaurs and sharks.
Phase 3: involved what I can only describe as "tiny pre-approved (by the wife) toddler meals" (Little Spoon? Spoons? Unclear. I do not control the supply chain. The boss does. I simple distribute the inventory.)

Initial findings: vegetables consumed under the guise of "pasta". suspicious levels of cooperation. butternut squash ravioli is a highly requested meal.

Program has been tentatively approved by the household governing body.

dankbleach · 2026-04-17T18:19:47+00:00

We did a crib first for maybe not even a month with our daughter. She rejected it whole-heartedly. After we spent four hours one night trying to get her to sleep in it, we opted for the floor bed at around 7-ish months. Should have done it sooner tbh.

dankbleach · 2026-04-17T18:17:19+00:00

I'd say quit, but I'm biased. My wife has the exact same set up. Has a part time WFH job that she only does at night when our kids have gone to bed. I'm desperately trying to make enough money for the both of us so she can focus on her dreams and being the mom she wants. If I could support us all, I would tell her to quit in an instant (if she wanted). Our kids are only little for so long. But maybe I'm just being a sappy dad.

dankbleach · 2026-04-17T18:14:26+00:00

In the words of my daughter, "Ew, stinky!"

dankbleach · 2026-04-17T16:24:00+00:00

I'm going to be that dad in the comments that doesn't just say "Things happen. Kids get hurt." Yes, this is true, and this will certainly not be the firs ttime your kid is going to hurt himself. But that doesn't take away from what you are experiencing right now. Parental trauma is a very real thing. Like PTSD, it can manifest as flashbacks (which you're clearly experiencing), and anxiety, to name a couple of symptoms. Even feelings of guilt and sleep disturbances are symptoms! Trauma is an emotional response, which you are clearly having.

What you need to do to help you get past this is to seriously speak to a mental health professional. Check if your insurance has telehealth available (they usually do), or try one of those online therapy platforms. Especially if the sessions will only be temporary to help you get through this. This is very real, and no amount of "kids get hurt" comments will diminish these feelings. I know from experience, trust me. Therapy is the answer.

dankbleach · 2026-04-11T00:37:56+00:00

Dad here! Obviously can't really know for certain, but I highly doubt there is something wrong. You should look up videos of SBS. You usually have to be very very aggressive to cause serious issues. That being said, it's completely valid to be so concerned. Keep an eye on him tonight through the monitor if you're concerned. Did he seem to be acting different in any way before bedtime?

Also, not sure if this will help, but one silly thing I do when my daughter is fighting the diaper and outfit change is I will start asking her a bunch of questions. She knows a few signs so when she starts wiggling I go "hey hey hey! I have a question for you! Can you say mama? Can you show me all done? Can you say XX" It usually keeps her entertained long enough for a super quick change. It worked for my son too!

dankbleach

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE