Fluid and Hydration - How Much is Enough?
The amount of fluid a child needs depends on a number of things including;
Children who exercise a lot need to replace the fluid lost through sweating and will need to drink more. A child who is not drinking enough will become dehydrated.
The best way of checking if you are drinking enough is to check the colour of your urine – it should be a pale yellow colour. If you pass clear, light-coloured urine regularly throughout the day, it is likely that you are meeting your fluid requirements. If it’s darker than number 3 on the Pee Chart, more fluid is needed.
If your urine is the same colour as numbers 1, 2 and 3: you are well hydrated. Colours 4 and 5 can represent dehydration and colours 6, 7 and 8, severe dehydration, therefore extra fluid is needed.
How else do I know if my child is dehydrated?
If you are not well hydrated you are more likely to get headaches and constipation, feel irritable, and have a dry mouth and lips. Your concentration will suffer and you will generally feel “off” and not at your best.
What should I encourage my child to drink?
Did you know…..?
What about fluid for sport?
Created by the Paediatric Dietitians’ Interest Group (PDIG) of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) November 2015. Review date: November 2018
© 2015 Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute, INDI. All rights reserved. May be reproduced in its entirety provided the source is acknowledged. This information is not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor or individual counselling with a dietitian. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
Printer Friendly PDF:Drinks for teenagers
Please take the time to read through the...
We are delighted to announce that 4 fantastic...
This online lunch time event was held on...
All rights reserved. May be reproduced in its entirety provided source is acknowledged. This information is not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor or individual counselling with a dietitian. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
© 2023 Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute, INDI. | Privacy Policy
C/O Airfield Estate, Overend Ave,
Dundrum, Dublin 14
Dublin, D14 EE77
Phone: 01 2150508
Email:info@indi.ie