Excessive heat can pose a real danger to your children during the warm months, but with the right amount of fluids, your kids don’t have to miss out on the joys of summer.
“Parents must watch their children and teach them the importance of drinking fluids and staying hydrated,” says Jay Epstein, MD, pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “If a child is playing outside, parents need to offer him or her fluids on a regular basis.”
Generally, one cup of water or an eight-ounce sports drink every 30 minutes is ideal for kids who participate in vigorous exercise.
Being Proactive Pays Off
If your 8-year-old complains of thirst after a day spent riding her bike in the sun, she may already be dehydrated.
“Don’t wait until the symptoms of dehydration appear to get your child to drink fluids,” says Isabel Rosenbloom, MD, pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Kids don’t always have to drink water. It’s important to replace the salt and electrolytes that their bodies lose during exercise, which is why sports drinks are a good option. You can even give kids popsicles or frozen fruit to help them stay hydrated.”
If your child exhibits lethargy, fatigue, dry skin or lack of urine, he or she may be dehydrated. Attempt to hydrate your child with fluids, but if symptoms persist, contact your pediatrician. Urine should be pale yellow—anything darker suggests insufficient fluid intake. Children in competitive sports should be proactive in keeping up their fluid intake.
How Much is Too Much?
In children under 6 months, drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication, which is a potentially fatal condition that dilutes normal sodium levels. Always follow your pediatrician’s recommended feeding instructions, and limit water to four ounces in a 24-hour period for children under 6 months.
For more information about water intoxication call our pediatric nurses at 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS.