During my daughter's annual wellness visit this summer, I shared my concern that she wasn't drinking enough water. Urinalysis confirmed my suspicion, and more water became our goal! I must admit I was a little shocked to learn how much water is recommended; we weren't even coming close! Which is why I enlisted the help of our pediatrician to share the same tips with other local families. My daughter is consistently drinking more water, and she feels better because of it.
Over the years of being a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I give advice often to get your children to drink more water. Dehydration can cause frequent headaches, fatigue and more risk for injury when playing sports among other things. As a healthcare professional and mom of two young children I have learned some tricks along the way that may help.
Over the years of being a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I give advice often to get your children to drink more water. Dehydration can cause frequent headaches, fatigue and more risk for injury when playing sports among other things. As a healthcare professional and mom of two young children I have learned some tricks along the way that may help.
- Getting a new water bottle or cup can ignite more interest in drinking water. Even having your child decorate their cups (new or old) with stickers, puffy paint or sparkles may be helpful as well.
- Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool with kids. You could make a fun sticker chart where they get to add a sticker for each cup of water they drink or you could draw a big empty cup on a piece of paper and each time they drink the desired amount they can color in a small section on the cup until it is full.
- If time is on your side, start H2O with your children young. I recommend my patients start some daily water between four and six months of age. Starting young can help make it a healthy habit.
- Try experimenting with temperature, ice cold to warm. The change may do the trick to encourage consumption.
- Get fun-shaped straws to make drinking fun
- Make kid friendly ice cubes such as animals or freeze fresh fruit in the cubes for a fun treat when the ice melts.
- Fruit infused water smells, tastes and looks great and may help interest your children to drink more water.
- My kids will fight over my water bottle, simply because it is mom’s. If that is what it takes share yours to increase their intake.
- It is important to be a good role model. So moms and dads show your kids how awesome it is to drink water!
Remember for every inch of height you have you should drink one ounce of water. Meaning if your child is 44 inches tall they should drink 44 ounces of daily water. Stay healthy and hydrated.
