Both adults and children should drink plenty of water. Water is essential for the correct working of our vital functions. Young children, however, are more at risk when it comes to dehydration, especially in the summer, when temperatures go up. Today we would like to give you some advice about keeping children hydrated. Don’t miss any of it!
What benefits are there in drinking plenty of water?
Children need water even more than adults, as 80% of their body is made up of water. Children are also more at risk when it comes to dehydration, which could lead to serious consequences for their bodies. Drinking plenty of water favours the elimination of toxins from the body, improves the digestion of food and helps avoid constipation. It is important to get children used to drinking water, even when they are not thirsty. The water should not be too cold either, as the contrast in temperature could make them feel sick.
It is recommended not to wait that children are thirsty to give them to drink
How much water should children drink?
In the first six months of life both the mother’s milk and prepared formula milk provide babies with the right amount of liquid for the correct functioning and development of their body. From this age on, it is a good idea to add water to a baby’s diet. The type of food, the temperature and the child’s degree of activity are all factors that influence the amount of water recommended. However, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), daily needs are as follows:
6 to 12 months: 800-1000 ml.
1 to 2 years: 1100-1200 ml.
2 to 3 years: 1300 ml.
4 to 8 years: 1600 ml.
It is also recommendable for children to drink water at regular intervals, instead of drinking a lot at one time, when they are thirsty.
Apart from water, what else hydrates children?
Food like fruit and vegetables provide babies and young children with a great deal of water, whether eaten fresh or in a juice, soup or purée. The best fruit for hydrating children is melon and watermelon, closely followed by strawberries, oranges, grapes and pineapple. The best vegetables are lettuce, courgettes and spinach, but tomatoes, onions and chard are also very good in this aspect.
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