Establish refreshing routines with these tips to ensure your child stays hydrated:

Always pack a water bottle for them.
Remind them to drink before sports games and encourage water breaks during the game.
Ensure they have a substantial drink afterward to make up for lost fluids.
Keep a jug of fresh tap water nearby, storing it in the fridge on warm days.
Send a labeled, clear water bottle to school daily.
Opt for water when heading out, avoiding sugary drinks or juice.
Be a role model—adults should prioritize hydration by drinking plenty of water.

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Hydration tips for children

Cultivating healthy habits in children extends beyond nutrition and exercise – hydration plays a key role too. Encourage your child to drink water consistently throughout the day to support their body's temperature regulation and overall well-being. Young children and babies are particularly susceptible to dehydration, so it's crucial to be proactive. Recognize that if your child is extremely thirsty, they may already be dehydrated. Address mild dehydration by offering oral rehydration fluids or water, avoiding sugary drinks that can hinder the recovery process.

Why do children need to stay hydrated?

Explore the concept of fluid resilience in nurturing children's health by understanding the role of hydration in their body composition. A substantial portion of a child's body is comprised of water, a key factor in regulating body temperature, producing bodily fluids, and supporting day-to-day functions. Neglecting hydration may compromise this resilience, resulting in issues such as compromised sports performance, fatigue, headaches, and irritability, with potential consequences for serious health problems. Maintaining optimal fluid balance is crucial for the body's resilience, and children, especially during warm weather or exercise, are susceptible to dehydration. Parents and caregivers are essential in fostering this resilience by ensuring children consistently receive sufficient water, recognizing that waiting for signs of thirst may indicate a delayed response to dehydration.

What causes dehydration?

Dive into the discussion of risky waters by identifying factors that heighten dehydration in children. Whether it's the aftermath of physical activity, bouts of severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, medication use like diuretics, inadequate fluid intake during illness, or age below six months, each factor increases the risk. Hot weather magnifies these challenges. Recognition of these risks empowers parents and caregivers to navigate the waters effectively, preventing dehydration in their children.

What and how much should my child drink?

Make smart sips the norm by opting for healthy hydration choices for your child. Water outshines sugary and acidic options like sports drinks, fruit juices, soft drinks, and flavored mineral waters, which contribute to tooth decay. Water stands as the optimal beverage, with recommended daily intake based on age: 4 to 8 years old – 5 cups; 9 to 13 years old – 5 to 6 cups; and 14 to 18 years old – 6 to 8 cups. Acknowledge the additional water needs during exercise or in hot climates. Regardless of the weather, instill the importance of regular hydration, encouraging your child to drink before, during, and after physical activity to thwart dehydration.

Signs and symptoms of mild dehydration

Recognize the subtle indicators of mild dehydration in your child, such as:

Thirstiness (an early sign of dehydration).
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Nausea.
Headache.
Dark yellow or brown urine.
Dry tongue, mouth, throat, or lips.
Decreased frequency of toilet visits or reduced urine output.

Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration

Understand the critical conditions associated with severe dehydration by identifying signs in children. If your child is excessively thirsty, lethargic, confused, or drowsy, respond promptly by seeking medical attention. Monitor for paleness, cold hands or feet, rapid breathing, and an accelerated heart rate. Dark and sunken eyes serve as additional indicators of severe dehydration. In the face of these symptoms, consult your GP urgently or visit the nearest hospital emergency department for immediate medical intervention.

Dehydration treatment

Effectively treating child dehydration involves intervention through increased fluid intake, either water or oral rehydration solutions like Gastrolyte, HYDRAlyte, Pedialyte, and Repalyte, easily accessible at local pharmacies or supermarkets. It's crucial to steer clear of high-sugar beverages such as flat lemonade or sports drinks, as they can exacerbate dehydration. Given the increased susceptibility of babies and young children to severe dehydration, special attention is warranted. Breastfeeding mothers should offer more frequent feeds, and for bottle-fed babies older than 6 months, replacing formula feeds with oral rehydration solution or water for the initial 12 hours is recommended, followed by regular formula in smaller, more frequent amounts. In cases where infants under 6 months display signs of dehydration, immediate medical attention is advised.