Whatever spring activities you may have planned for your child, helping him or her stay hydrated may not yet be on your list. Even if you’re the type of parent that includes greens in every sandwich and provides multivitamins and organic vitamin D drops on a regular basis, you may not have emphasized the importance of hydration to your little one. As the weather starts to heat up and spring weather transitions into summertime, it’s more important than ever to keep your child from getting dehydrated. Unfortunately, kids can sometimes be picky about drinking enough water. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help keep your kids hydrated this spring.
How Much Water Does My Child Need
Whether you’ve used Wellements gripe water with your child in the past or not, you may not be sure how much plain water your child should be getting per day. Although the generally recommendation for adults is about eight glasses of water a day, this amount can be smaller for young children. The precise amount of water your little one needs may depend on factors such as:
- Your child’s age and size
- Your child’s current health and any medical conditions he or she may have been diagnosed with
- Your child’s usual level of physical activity
- The amount of time your child spends outdoors
Helpful Hydration Tips
Water can act as a natural detoxifier and immune booster for kids, and in some cases, talking about the benefits of drinking water with your child can help him or her get enthusiastic about the practice. You may be interested to know that drinking water can:
- Support a healthy weight
- Prevent dehydration
- Support strong teeth, bones, and joints
- Improve blood circulation
- Boost moods and retention levels
If your child refuses to drink enough water throughout the day, there are at least five ways you could help him or her change that habit. Whichever tactic you decide to adopt, remember that consistency and persistence are key. You can:
- Get your child into the habit of drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning after waking up;
- Get a personalized water bottle for your child to incentivize him or her to drink water while he or she is at school or otherwise away from home;
- Place stickers with your child’s favorite cartoon characters on cups and water glasses at home to make drinking fun and exciting;
- Sit older kids down and explain the importance of staying hydrated to boost internal motivation levels;
- Keep things interesting by providing a variety of sources of hydration, such as plain water, herbal tea, and even water-rich vegetables, such as cucumber or watercress.
Ensuring your kids stay hydrated this spring may not sound as fun or glamorous as spending time outdoors or going on family outings, but it’s a crucial step to keep your kids healthy during the warmer seasons and beyond. If your little one is picky about drinking water, you may need to get creative to ensure he or she avoids dehydration. Fortunately, these fun hydration tips could help you get your kids drinking more water every day.