Dehydration is more than just a summer problem. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children drink more water even during winter.
Here are some assumptions by parents about dehydration that need to be corrected.
The first assumption is that dehydration only happens during summer, when the heat is up, and along with it comes loose motions and vomiting. This leads to the second assumption that children do not need as much water intake as they did during summer.
Parents need to know that for children's overall health, they must also consume plenty of water throughout the winter season.
Kids ages one to three are required to drink one liter or four cups of water daily, while the young ones aged four to eight need 1.2 liters of five cups, according to Better Health.
A major reason for dehydration in winter is the lesser water intake. There is a decrease in water consumption despite the body still requiring it for breathing, digestion, and circulation.
Water is important in winter as in summer
Parents are also encouraged to teach their kids about providing their bodies with the essential nutrients and hydration needed to fight winter viruses and infections. When the cold sets in, children's vitality should be boosted all the more, and this can be made possible by drinking water consistently, thoroughly, and effectively.
"Proper nutrition and hydration are important to ensure our bodies can generate enough heat to maintain a healthy body temperature as well. Although it may not seem like a cold drink will help keep you warm, hydration is essential to the body's ability to prevent hypothermia," PennState Extension emphasized in one of their articles.
Parents need to understand further that it is very ordinary for children to get dehydrated regardless of the season. When they are busy with their activities, drinking water comes the least in their mind. They will not realize they are thirsty if they do not see any liquid to consume or until they are almost dehydrated.
With this, parents should be intentional in keeping water handy and offering it frequently to their children. The frequency can be every couple of hours or more, especially when the air is hot, like in summer, or dry, like winter.
Tips to prevent dehydration in winter
Aside from ensuring that children are taking their daily water requirements, here are more suggestions from Dr. Parvinder Singh Narang to prevent dehydration during winter:
1. Give children additional sources of liquids like fresh juice, fresh fruits, and coconut water. This way, parents can be sure that they are kept hydrated.
2. Serve drinks at room temperature to keep children's bodies at a constant temperature. Warm liquids such as hot milk and soups can help children stay hydrated and avoid the risk of dehydration in winter.
3. Put green leafy vegetables like celery, oatmeal, milk, yogurt, fruits like oranges, strawberries, lychees, cantaloupe, and other water-rich foods on the dining table daily so that children can get more water in their system. Try to cut back on processed foods as they make the body lose water faster.
4. Children can still play outside in winter, but parents need to ensure they wear layers. Let the cold air's moisture naturally get into their bodies, which can be refreshing for their health.
