Newspaper Article

Is your child drinking enough?

Hays, Margaret

1998

Overview

Yet drinking enough fluids is often a neglected part of our diet, especially for children. Many people assume that they need to drink only when they are thirsty or drink just enough to quench thirst. We should pay attention to the benefits of drinking fluids and encourage children to do the same. The benefits of drinking enough fluids are that it prevents dehydration, maintains regular bowel habits and keeps skin and hair looking healthy. We obtain water from fluids such as water, milk, fruit juice, cordials, soft drinks and soups. Even foods such as rice, bread, noodles, fruit and vegetables have some water in them although not enough to meet our fluid needs. The amount of fluid children need depends on their age, weight and activity. The table below outlines the fluid needs of young children. As an example, a 16kg child would require 2,000ml (125ml x 16kg = 2,000ml) of water which is equivalent to eight glasses of fluids per day. This is a lot to drink each day. Many children balk at drinking plain water so offering a variety of fluids, such as milk, juice and even soups will help them achieve their daily fluid intake with greater ease and enjoyment.

• Publisher: The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad