Keep Your Kids Hydrated
Staying hydrated by drinking enough water and other liquids is important for health – especially for children, who have higher water requirements in relation to their body weight than adults.
Here are some things to know about children and
hydration:
- Kids
don’t always recognize the early stages of thirst
- Children
should hydrate with plain, natural drinks that are unsweetened and free of
additives
- Children
should aim to have 6-8 drinks per day
- Research
suggests that hydrated children perform better in school
- Children
participating in sports or exposed to warm weather should drink more water
Know the
signs of dehydration, which include:
- Little
or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual
- Dry
mouth
- Sleepiness
or fatigue
- Extreme
thirst
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
or lightheaded feeling
- No
tears when crying
To learn
more about how to make sure your kids stay hydrated, meet with a CHKD pediatrician or call (757) 668-7500.
