Drinking water

Approximately half the human body is made up of water, and each day we need to replace the water we lose through urine, sweat and our breath.

If we don’t replace enough of the fluids we’ve lost from our bodies, we risk becoming dehydrated which can potentially lead to major health issues. While babies receive their water requirements through the milk they drink, once your child begins taking the bulk of her nutrients from solid food, she must begin to replace lost fluids by drinking water. Although milk is a good source of nutrients, water is the best drink for satisfying thirst.

How much should my toddler drink?

While there are no firm rules about how much water should be drunk each day, a good rule of thumb is that your preschooler should drink enough to quench her thirst. The weather and the amount of physical activity she is doing will impact on the amount she drinks each day, and so the best way to ensure that she drinks enough is to always have a drink of water available to her. Try to avoid offering other types of sweet drinks when she’s thirsty as they’re unnecessary and some have added salt along with the added sugar.

Common Sense Advice. Share your experiences, tips and advice on the Kidspot Forum.

This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot. Sources include SA Government’s Parenting and Child Health and Public Health