20 Aug Getting Your Child To Drink More Water & The Importance Of Hydration
Especially during the hot months of summer, parents must monitor their child’s water intake. Making sure they stay hydrated will help avoid any unfortunate medical complications or conditions. At Pediatric Associates of Plainview, we know the importance of water intake. We will share some tips on how to get your child to drink more water and inform you of the amount that they should be drinking.
How Much Water Should They Be Drinking?
Parents must remember that every child is different. What is best for one child may be detrimental to another’s health. That is why before making any concrete decisions about diet and hydration, it’s important to speak with one of our professionals. Below are some guidelines that experts agree should be followed:
- Boys and girls that are ages 4 to 8 – 5 cups per day.
- Boys that are ages 9 to 13 – 8 cups per day.
- Girls that are ages 9 to 13 – 7 cups per day.
- Boys that are ages 14 to 18 – 11 cups per day.
- Girls that are ages 14 to 18 – 8 cups per day.
Drinking More Water
Many parents find that their children are more interested in drinking sugar-filled drinks than they are in drinking water. While you may think any form of liquid will suffice in keeping them healthy, this is not the case. Constantly drinking sugar-filled drinks can lead to a variety of health issues, such as weight gain. They also will not sufficiently hydrate your child. If you’re looking for ways to get your child to drink more water, we recommend the below:
- Infuse water with flavor by adding fruits like berries, lemon, or lime.
- Instead of ice cubes to cool water, consider using frozen fruit.
- Have your child drink out of a special, personalized cup.
- Drink water in front of your children so that you can act as a role model.
- Buy “crazy” straws to make drinking water fun.
Importance Of Hydration
It is our job to replenish our bodies of any fluids that are lost throughout the day. When children are active in the summer heat, they will lose liquids at a faster rate than they normally would. What this means is that you’ll need to put an extra emphasis on keeping them hydrated. As your child becomes dehydrated, they can be faced with the below:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Increased risk of muscle cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
- Fainting spells
Contact Us
Children should be able to enjoy the summer and keeping them hydrated is a great way to accomplish this goal. For more tips on getting your child to drink more water, or to learn more about the importance of hydration, feel free to contact our team today!
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