Teach Your Children to Drink Water in the Summer
As they say, water is the source of life. Therefore, it’s very important to teach children to drink water in the summer. When it’s hot outside and kids are playing all day, they need to stay hydrated.
Water is the main component of the human body. For adults, it makes up between 70 and 75%, but for children it’s almost 80%. Therefore, the goal is to keep this proportion.
Most of the time, when kids say they feel tired, it’s because they aren’t drinking enough water. This means their body isn’t functioning like it should.
Drinking enough water has numerous health benefits. Remember, the habit of teaching children to drink water in the summer, in addition to maintaining a healthy body, will keep them active and happy.
Benefits of teaching your children to drink water in the summer
There are tons of benefits from drinking enough water. If kids are well-hydrated, their bodies will work properly. In addition, it’s a good way to encourage them to take care of themselves.
Among the many benefits of drinking water, the most important are:
- Water helps the body eliminate toxins. Every day, it helps purify through waste, like urine, feces and sweat.
- With this vital fluid, it boosts kids’ metabolism.
- Water improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps prevent constipation, which is a very common issue in children.
- It keeps the joints, tendons, and mucous membranes lubricated.
- Water helps transfer nutrients to cells.
- It helps regulate body temperature, as well as protect vital organs.
How much water should children drink?
Children are more susceptible to temperature changes. Their skin is thinner, and sweating is more complex. In fact, they can lose a lot of fluids even if they don’t seem thirsty.
Babies that are breastfeeding will have their water needs covered. Keep in mind that breast milk contains mainly water.
Once babies turn 1, we recommend giving them juices or milk every three hours. Then, when kids reach 4 years old, they should drink about 1.5 liters of water every day. Finally, when they’re between 9 and 13, they should drink 2.4 liters per day.
In reality, these are the standards for most kids. However, you need to take into account your children’s size and weight, as well as how active they are. In the summer with high temperatures, humidity and lots of sweating, kids can lose lots of liquids.
Warning signs that kids need to drink water more frequently
Babies and young children can suffer from dehydration, and they can even have diarrhea and start vomiting. Therefore, you have to be very careful if you see these warning signs:
- Urine becomes dark
- Stools are dry and hard
- Loss of 5% of their body weight
- Skin turns pale or gray
- Your mouth, tongue, eyes and mucous membranes are generally dry
- Children are continually tired with signs of fatigue and exhaustion
- Urinate very little. In general, babies need to urinate at least every 3 hours
If you notice these symptoms, we recommend taking your child to the pediatrician and start giving your child lots of fluids. In addition, you can use homemade recipes until getting medical help.
Recommendations to help kids stay hydrated in the summer
- Their clothing should be cool and comfortable. Additionally, they should use sunscreen, as well as wear hats.
- Kids should drink water, natural juices, and smoothies.
- Include melons, tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini, strawberries and pineapple into their summer diet. These foods are made up of about 90% water. By eating these as a snack, your children will stay hydrated.
- Avoid exposing children to the sun when the sun is the hottest. Also, try not to go in hot places that don’t have good ventilation.
Finally, children and older adults are the most likely to suffer from heat stroke in high temperatures in the summer. Looking at the forecasts for the day will help you prepare and worry less.