Simple steps to care for your baby during water alert notices.
From time to time, parts of Australia may receive water alert notices. It’s important to follow the advice of the authority issuing the notice.
The information below can help you care for your baby during this time.
Notice to boil water
If a notice to boil water has been issued, do not drink water straight from the tap.
Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for drinking, cooking, washing raw foods, making ice, cleaning teeth, and in any situation where your baby could get water in their mouth.
- Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute using a kettle, jug or pot on your stove.
- Allow the water to cool.
- Store cooled water in the fridge in a clean container with a lid.
- Do not use appliances connected to mains water (such as fridge ice makers).
- Take care to avoid getting water into your baby’s mouth or eyes.
- Sponge baths may be easier than regular baths during this time.
- You can also use cooled boiled water in a baby bath.
Wash dishes in a dishwasher or with hot soapy water.
Some families may prefer to use disposable dishes for a short time.
- You can continue to use the same equipment for up to 24 hours.
- Store it in a clean covered container in the fridge between sessions, then wash it in hot soapy water.
Use cooled boiled water to prepare formula.
If there’s no electricity, use still bottled water (not mineral water).
The World Health Organisation article How to prepare formula for cup-feeding at home may be useful.
Do not drink notice
If a ‘do not drink’ notice has been issued, use bottled water only for drinking, cooking, food preparation, and hygiene (including brushing teeth).
- Do not use tap water for showering, bathing, washing hands, or brushing teeth.
- If the notice is short-term, it may be easiest not to wash your baby during this time.
- If needed, give a sponge bath using bottled water.
- You can warm bottled water on the stove if necessary. Stir well and always check the temperature before using it on your baby.
- You can continue to use the same expressing and storage equipment for up to 24 hours.
- Store it in a clean container in the fridge between uses.
- Clean equipment every 24 hours using heated bottled water.
- If you do not have access to a fridge or enough bottled water for cleaning, you can hand express into a clean container.
- Disposable cups can be used to feed expressed breastmilk.
- For support with hand expressing, you may find it helpful to speak with a breastfeeding counsellor.
- Do not use tap water to wash bottles or baby equipment.
- Use heated bottled water for washing.
- If you don’t have enough bottles for the alert period, it may be safer to feed your baby using a cup. See Cup feeding in emergencies.
- Do not use boiled tap water
- Use only bottled water to prepare formula
For more information
If you are concerned about having enough safe water for you and your baby, contact your state emergency services for assistance.
© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2026
