One of the most important methods to stay healthy is to stay hydrated, but summer time can make that even more challenging than usual, especially for children. Children do not feel the need for hydration as much as adults do, and this can mean that they become dehydrated without realising it.
It is dangerous for your child to become dehydrated because that could lead to a myriad of health problems. It is not only the summer heat that can make them dehydrated though, but also vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive sweating from long periods of exercise or heat, and various other illnesses.
Signs of dehydration in children include:
- A dry or sticky mouth
- A sunken soft spot on a baby’s head
- Cool, dry, wrinkled skin
- Dizziness
- Eyes that look sunken into their head
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Lack of urine for 12 hours in older kids, or a very small amount of dark yellow urine
- Lack of urine or wet diapers for 6 to 8 hours in younger children, or a very small amount of dark yellow urine
- Lethargy
- Rapid and deep breathing
- Very little or no tears when crying
Do not rely on thirst to determine when your child should take a drink as by the time they feel thirsty they are already around 3% dehydrated.
It is best to avoid dehydration, and this can easily be done by ensuring that your children have easy access to drinking water; leave a jug of water within easy reach in the kitchen, serve water with meals, and place a glass of water next to their bed at night.
You should also seriously consider investing in a water cooler, as modern water coolers come in a number of styles and sizes, are tough, fit in with any décor, and can provide fresh, chilled, filtered drinking water virtually 24/7 with just the touch of a button. Children also love water coolers as they are easily accessible to them and it makes even the smallest child feel all grown up when they can get their own water.
Hire water coolers and purchase water coolers online in London. Get office water coolers and water cooler accessories for your office or home.
