Children need to drink between 5-8 glasses of clean, healthy water every, but unfortunately, most kids don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Our bodies are made up of 65% water, which is why we need to drink plenty of fresh water to keep it in top working condition. Children who don’t drink enough water, tend to be tired and easily distracted at school. Here are some simple hydration facts for children that every parent needs to know in order to help keep their children hydrated and healthy.
- Weather – Hot, humid weather will have an impact on your child’s health. Children can lose water by sweating, playing and even crying. Our bodies sweat more in hot, humid weather, so make sure to offer and encourage drinking water often throughout the day.
- Thirst – If your child is asking for a drink, they are probably already on their way to dehydration, since thirst is one of the first signs of dehydration. One way to ensure children do not get thirsty, is provide them with their own water bottle and encourage them to drink often. If they are drinking often enough throughout the day, they will not become dehydrated.
- Sickness – One of the biggest causes of dehydration in children is due to illness. Children lose fluids when they run a fever, vomit or have other tummy troubles. Offer small sips of water to a sick child as often as possible. Water will help flush out toxins, speed healing and even help regulate body temperature.
We know that kids need to drink more water, but how can we help ensure that they are getting adequate amounts of drinking water throughout the day? Well, one of the best ways is to make drinking water fun! Try offering a fun colorful straw; small children love drinking from a straw and who can’t deny that a bright, twisty straw isn’t fun? Another idea is to let your child pick out his/her own cup. Allowing them independence in choosing and letting them have something that is exclusively their own makes them feel proud that they can drink all by themselves.
Let your children help make fun shaped ice cubes and let them put those cubes in their own cups. Another great, simple idea is to have a pitcher of water in the refrigerator that is easy to pour from; kids can get their own water that way, which is another great way to allow them independence in drinking water.
Whatever way you choose to encourage your children to drink more water, just make sure they are drinking enough. Drinking water will help them feel better, perform better in school, improve their mood and even keep their bowels regulated; and a drinking water filtration system will help ensure that the water they are drinking is as safe and healthy as possible.
