How Much Water Should Your Child Be Drinking?

From the time we are small, we are told that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day to be healthy.  We are given this number as children, and it is repeated to us even as adults.  As a parent, taking care of your child’s nutrition is very important, and that includes the correct hydration levels to keep your child happy and healthy.  Dehydration is a major cause of unexplained grumpiness or over-eating in children of all ages, so always be sure your kids are drinking enough.

So how much drinking water should your child really be taking in?  Let’s look at how much water is ideal for younger children.

The answer will depend in part on your child’s activity level.  Some children are naturally active, while others prefer a somewhat more sedentary play schedule.  How active your child is and how much they sweat plays a large factor in every aspect of children’s nutrition, including how much drinking water they should take in.  A child that is very active needs to take in considerably more water than a child who is inactive at the time.  Children of all ages should drink more water before they play or exercise to prevent dehydration and to increase stamina.

With that much said, drinking water in sufficient amounts is key to keeping your child hydrated.  At least six glasses of water a day is recommended for any child.  Unlike adults, who have learned through hectic lifestyles to ignore the urges that accompany thirst, children will naturally seek out a beverage when their bodies tell them that hydration is needed.  As a parent, the best thing you can do for your child’s health is to have water available for your child at all times.

Contrary to popular belief, sodas and other drinks can actually dehydrate your child. They contain carbonation and caffeine, two things that cause your child’s body to lose more water than in contained in the car.  So they may actually be thirstier after drinking a can of coke than when they started!  Fruit juices are acceptable, but should never be your child’s main source of liquids due to the whopping doses of natural sugars they contain, which is bad for your child’s teeth.  Just because fruit sugar is natural doesn’t mean it won’t cause cavities!

When you offer water each time your child wants a drink, you will find that they will naturally take in enough of the liquid to keep them healthy.  If your child dislikes drinking plain water, try adding a splash of fruit juice to the water for a healthy and cheap flavored water substitute.