Drinking water: a habit to build early
Children lose water faster than adults and feel thirsty later. A few simple habits are enough to close the gap.
Why children are more exposed
Relative to their weight, children have a larger body surface area than adults: they lose more water. They are also slower to stop playing to go and drink.
The feeling of thirst appears when water loss has already begun. Waiting for a child to ask for a drink is therefore not a reliable strategy.
How much, and what
Guidelines vary with age, activity and temperature: around one to one and a half litres of drinks a day is often quoted for school-age children, in addition to the water provided by food.
Water remains the only essential drink. Fruit juices provide free sugars, even when no sugar has been added: one glass a day at most is the most common guideline. Soft drinks and energy drinks have no place in a child's diet.
Habits that work
A personal water bottle, visible and within reach, makes more difference than a verbal reminder. Offering a glass at every meal and after every activity builds a reflex.
In hot weather or during sport, increase how often rather than how much: small, regular sips are better tolerated than a large volume at once.
- Thirst comes after water loss has begun: don't rely on it.
- Water is the only essential drink; one juice a day at most.
- A water bottle within reach works better than reminders.
This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For any question about your child's health, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
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