It’s a scorcher out there. Is your toddler drinking enough water? Bryan Sarlitt asks the big question
Photo courtesy Nomader
If you feel like your family doesn’t drink enough water throughout the day, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 80 per cent of people say they don’t consume enough water to meet their health needs.
Dehydration can lead to tiredness, digestive problems, headaches, aching joints, mental fog, and even higher cholesterol levels in adult. It can also make your body less resilient to fighting off the common cold and other illnesses. Toddlers aren’t an exception. Often, little ones are so busy playing that they forget to stop and take a drink. During this hot season, it’s especially important to keep an eye on the kids and their water intake.
While optimal consumption varies. Ask your child’s physician how much he or she should be drinking each day. Once you find out the ideal amount, there are some simple things you can do to ensure your kid is staying hydrated throughout the day.
Carry a reusable water bottle. Drinking an adequate amount of water each day is a lot easier when you carry a travel-friendly reusable water bottle. Having a hydration companion by your side reminds you to sip throughout the day. It also saves you money and the planet by eliminating wasteful, single-use plastic bottles. Look for a reusable water bottle that is lightweight and easy to carry; holds a lot of water; and is made with a leakproof cap/spout cover that your child can access with minimum assistance.
Label your child’s water bottle. When heading back to school or daycare this fall, allow your child to choose her own water bottle to increase the chances that she will want to use it. Then label it, to avoid confusing it with someone else’s. With COVID-19 out there, this is especially important!
Consider flavouring your water. To help make drinking water less boring, or to entice your toddler, try adding some tasty natural flavors, such as lemon slices, a few drops of lemon juice, frozen fruit, mint sprigs and sliced cucumber, or flavoured electrolytes.
Eat Your Water. Snack time? Fruits and veggies such as watermelon, cantaloupe, celery, cucumbers, and peaches all have high water content. Snacking on these will help ensure you meet your daily hydration needs.
Drink water with every meal. Replace juice or soft drinks (which are both full of sugar) with water at mealtimes.
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