As a parent we are always trying our best to not just look after ourselves, and our mental and physical health, we are also trying to make the best choices for our little ones too. We need to ensure they eat well, sleep well, play enough, do enough and the simplest thing such as keeping hydrated can fall wayside. That's why I am sharing this article, as a simple reminder to get your kids drinking as much water as possible.
Give your child some quality herbal tea, hot or cold is a great solution to keeping them hydrated! Magic Tea is completely natural. We add not one thing, no flavouring, no sweeteners, it is all 100% organic and so good for your littles ones health.
Our bodies are made up of approximately 70 percent water. Water has many important functions in the body, including; regulating your body’s temperature, digesting food and excreting waste. Your body loses water throughout the day when you sweat, breathe and urinate. It is important to replace the water you have lost to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated.
Children are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults. This is because in relation to their size, children have a larger proportion of their skin available to loose sweat and be exposed to heat. Additionally, children don’t always recognise that they’re thirsty, and if they’re not encouraged and reminded may forget to drink. Luckily, there are a few ways to tell if your child is hydrated.
How do I know if my child is hydrated?
Frequent bathroom breaks or wet nappies are the easiest way to tell if your child is hydrated. You can also look out for these common symptoms of dehydration:
- Headaches
- Poor concentration
- Thirst
- Cracked lips
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Dark urine
How much water does my child need?
The amount your child needs will vary depending on their age, size and level of activity. For children under 8 years of age, at least 4-6 glasses of water is recommended. For children older than 8 years of age a minimum of 6-8 glasses is recommended.
Tips to help your kids stay hydrated!
- Always pack a water bottle for when you go out.
- Encourage your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity
- Always offer water with meals and snacks
- Encourage your child to drink water, even if they don’t like it!
- Get your kids drinking tea, a good quality organic, sugar free tea is a great option to add some flavour and keep your child healthy
Tips for kids who don’t like water
- Try adding slices of fruits such as lemon or orange to water, for variety and flavour.
- Let your kids choose their own drink bottle or serve water in colourful glasses or jugs.
- Be a role model! Make a point of drinking water with your kids.
- Experiment with temperature; try having a jug of water in the fridge, adding ice-cubes, or even warm water in winter.
Taken from https://healthy-kids.com.au/parents/children-hydration/