How Can I Get My Toddler To Drink Water?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Start early and make drinking water a habit. …
  2. Lead by example. …
  3. Schedule times for drinking water. …
  4. Remove all sugary drinks from your home. …
  5. Give them lots of fruits and vegetables. …
  6. Try frozen fruits. …
  7. Make the water look attractive. …
  8. Choose a colorful bottle.

What happens if a toddler doesn’t drink water?


Dehydration

isn’t something to take lightly. When it happens, the body doesn’t have enough fluids and water to function properly. In severe cases, this could lead to brain damage or even death. Read on to learn the warning signs of dehydration in your toddler, and tips for how to prevent it.

How do I entice my toddler to drink water?

  1. Use frozen fruit in place of ice cubes or consider buying mustache straws.
  2. Infuse your water with flavor by adding fruits like berries, cucumbers, lemons and limes.
  3. Freeze ice cube trays with berries and add this to your water to keep it extra cold.

How much water should a toddler drink per day?

As a general rule, here’s how much H2O kids should drink every day: Toddlers:

2 to 4 cups

. 4-8 years: 5 cups. 9 -13 years: 7 to 8 cups.

How do I get my child to drink more water?

  1. Build drink times into your family’s routine.
  2. Make drink times fun: sitting together with a book or game and only read the next page or have your turn at the game when your child has had a few more sips. …
  3. Let your child chose their glass, cup or straw.

How can you tell if a 2 year old is dehydrated?

  • Dry tongue and dry lips.
  • No tears when crying.
  • Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).
  • Sunken soft spot on infant’s head.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Dry and wrinkled skin.
  • Deep, rapid breathing.

Is flavored water good for toddlers?

Flavored water may seem like a healthy beverage option for children, but

it actually carries health risks

. The additives in flavored water can contribute to tooth decay. This does not mean that your child should never have flavored water, but you should limit the amount he or she drinks.

How do you hydrate a child that won’t drink?

  1. Popsicles. If possible, get ones that are sugar-free or made with real fruit juice, or make your own. Pedialyte comes in frozen pops, too.
  2. Gelatin. Use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.
  3. Soups. The warmth may help break up congestion in your child’s airways.

Is milk hydrating for toddlers?

Raise your child to prefer water when thirsty

“Your child’s body needs to replenish the water being lost through sweat, breathing and urination, and water is absolutely the best fluid for that.

Unflavored milk is also good

— whole milk for toddlers and skim or 1% for kids older than 2.

What do you do when your child won’t drink water?

  1. Start early and make drinking water a habit. …
  2. Lead by example. …
  3. Schedule times for drinking water. …
  4. Remove all sugary drinks from your home. …
  5. Give them lots of fruits and vegetables. …
  6. Try frozen fruits. …
  7. Make the water look attractive. …
  8. Choose a colorful bottle.

Can you give a toddler too much water?

Fortunately, actual overhydration — the kind that creates health problems — is rare. However, it’s possible (though uncommon) for your child to overdo it to the point where they experience so-called water intoxication. This can lead to

hyponatremia

, a serious imbalance of sodium in your toddler’s system.

How much water should a 2 yr old drink?

Age in years Number of

8 oz cups
2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

How many wet diapers should a 2 year old have?

Instead, make sure your little one is producing plenty of clear urine in his diaper (or the potty). Your toddler may not be able to tell you he’s thirsty, but these telltale signs will: Urinating less often (toddlers should generally have

a wet diaper every six to 12 hours

)

What Can drinking lots of water do?

  • Helps maximize physical performance. …
  • Significantly affects energy levels and brain function. …
  • May help prevent and treat headaches. …
  • May help relieve constipation. …
  • May help treat kidney stones. …
  • Helps prevent hangovers. …
  • Can aid weight loss.

Does milk count as water intake?

Bottom line. To meet your fluid needs throughout the day, choose water most often. Remember that other fluids like milk, coffee, tea and juice also

count towards your daily fluid intake

. Try to avoid soft drinks and limit drinks with caffeine to 3 cups per day.

How much water should my kid drink?

To stay well hydrated, children ages 1-3 years need approximately

4 cups

of beverages per day, including water or milk. This increases for older kids to around 5 cups for 4-8 year olds, and 7-8 cups for older children.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.