When the weather is hot, it is relatively easy to encourage little ones to take in plenty of fluids with cold drinks, ice cream and lollies to keep them hydrated; but in the cooler weather, it's less obvious that your child may be getting dehydrated. Consuming water is so important, more so than eating food.
Water is vital for life.
- It regulates the body temperature
- It helps flush body waste in the form of urine
- It is required for transporting nutrients throughout the body
- It helps maintain a good weight
- It helps avoid constipation and urinary infections
- It helps digest food and absorb the nutrients from your food
- It increases your energy levels
How much to drink:
- Children aged 1-3 need just under 1 1/2 litres each day, although not exclusively in drink form as this includes the liquid consumed in food
How to encourage them to drink:
- Encourage little and often. Offer them cups of water each time you have a drink.
- Drink in front of them to show you do it too!
- Give older children a little plastic jug to pour their own drinks.
- Try new drinks: peach or grape juice (watered down by 1/2) is unusual and tasty.
- Make sure there is water and milk available at pre-school or nursery. Encourage your child to have a drink while away from home too.
- Find some fun 'sippy' cups or drinking straws to make it more fun for toddlers.
- Offer warm milk, chilled water, cool juice so vary the temperature.
- Feed liquid based foods: yoghurt, soups, etc.
- Eat juicy fruits like watermelon and pears.