Author: Splash Creative

The hot and humid summer has been brutal for many of us! To avoid heat illnesses, it’s very important that your family drinks a sufficient amount of water and stays hydrated. In this blog, we talk about how much water your children need and how to encourage them to drink enough water.

No matter the season, water is always the best choice of drink for children over 6 months of age. Water has no calories or added sugar; it keeps the joints, bones, and teeth healthy, helps with blood circulation, and helps maintain a healthy weight. It can also improve mood, memory, and attention in kids. The amount of water your child needs will depend on their age. 

Babies under 6 months of age should not be given water. Instead, they should be exclusively given breast milk or formula. More than 80% of breast milk is made up of water and provides all of the necessary fluids for your baby. After 6 months, you can start introducing plain water to your infant. Until they reach the age of one, they only need 4-8 ounces per day as the rest of the water should come from breast milk or formula. 

Between the ages of 1-3, children need about 4 cups of water per day which can include the water in milk. Between the ages of 4-8, kids should drink 5 cups and for older children, they should drink 7-8 cups. These are the standard recommendations but they should be adjusted based on levels of activity and environmental conditions. For example, when your child is involved in sports and other physical activities or if the weather is hot, they should consume more water. Children should also drink water before, during, and after physical activities to prevent dehydration. 

We recommend avoiding giving your child sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice. Children under 2 years of age especially should not be given these drinks. For older kids, these beverages should be limited as much as possible. The high content of added sugar in these drinks can lead to unhealthy weight gain, obesity, dental cavities, type 2 diabetes, and other long-term health conditions. Sugary beverages also contain “empty” calories that don’t offer nutritional value and discourage your kids from drinking plain water or eating the nutritious foods their bodies need. 

Even juices that are labeled as 100% fruit juice should be strictly limited. Although they can contain some vitamins, they are still high in calories and added sugar. Eating whole fruits instead is always the better option as they contain a healthy amount of fiber which is lower in juice. Whole fruits are also good sources of water. 

If your child is bored with drinking just plain water, you can make it more appealing and fun for them. Infusing water with fruits like lemons, berries, or cucumber can add some flavor. You can also freeze fruit into ice cubes to decorate their glass or use water bottles and cups that feature their interests, like favorite cartoon characters. Even a fun straw can go a long way. 

One of the best ways to encourage your children to drink water is to be a good model. Drinking water in front of your child will help them develop the habit as well. Remind your kids to drink water frequently throughout the day as sometimes they can forget. 

As a final note, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration to address it quickly. For babies, some of the signs include less than the typical amount of wet diapers (6-8), excessive sleepiness, a sunken soft spot on the head, and a lack of tears while crying. For older children, you might see dry lips, infrequent urination or dark-colored urine, fatigue, irritability, flushed skin, headaches, lightheadedness, and rapid pulse. 

If you have any concerns that your child is not getting enough to drink or questions about keeping your kids hydrated, please contact us. 

Learning how to swim is an important life skill for every child, not to forget to mention a fun way for them to stay active and cool during the hot weather! Swimming is a skill that can prevent drowning and an opportunity for your child to learn water survival techniques. A typical class for children will teach them how to float, how to return to the surface when underwater, how to hold their breath, and swimming methods. We always suggest finding an instructor who is experienced and certified to teach your kids these essential skills. You’ll also want to make sure that when your child is learning, there are lifeguards on watch who can perform CPR if needed.

Most children can begin lessons after they are 12 months old. Before then, babies are unable to raise their heads out of the water to develop breathing techniques. After 12 months, a water

play class for toddlers can help them become accustomed to the water. However, keep in mind

that physical development and emotional maturity are factors to consider as well and your child should start learning how to swim when they’re ready. Typically, this is by the time they’re 4 years old.

If your child has special needs or autism, you may have concerns about them taking a swim class. However, these children are more at risk for drowning accidents and water-related injuries. A swim class can help ensure their safety and there are programs that are specifically designed for children with special needs. These are worth exploring when looking to enroll your child in an instructional swim course.

When kids are learning or are in the pool before they’re experienced, they should always wear a properly fitted lifejacket that they cannot slip out of. Lifejackets should also be worn when near the water or during any boating activity. Make sure there is an adult on watch at all times when near or in the water. It’s important that there is close supervision for children who are unable to swim yet.

The key to drowning prevention is having as many layers of protection as possible. If you have a

pool at your house, it’s crucial that it’s securely fenced. The fence should be at least 4 feet

tall and should have no openings where a child can slip through. That means that the slats should also not be more than 4 inches wide nor should the fence be easy for kids to climb over. Keep the latch on the gate locked and install an alarm for further protection.

Young children under age 4 are at a higher risk of drowning. They tend to be curious when they see water and can get close to it, putting themselves in danger of accidentally falling in. Always keep young kids away from water if there’s no supervision around and never allow them to go outside alone.

If you notice your child is missing, make sure to check the pool first and then the car. Both of

these situations are dangerous and time is of essence.

Swimming is a fun sport during the summer but it does not come without risks. Taking all of these precautions and enrolling your child in a class can help keep them safe and have a great time in the water!

Summer is almost here and you might have travel plans with the family. But if your child has motion sickness, that can make your trip challenging! Motion sickness happens when the brain receives conflicting signals from the motion-sensing parts. For an example, your child may be sitting in the backseat of a car and cannot see the outside, but their ears can sense the motion of the moving car. This kind of inconsistent messaging results in confusion for the brain and can activate a response that causes sickness. 

Signs and symptoms of motion sickness include stomach queasiness, cold sweats, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In some cases, your child might vomit. Most children under age 2 don’t experience car sickness, but children between ages 3 and 12 are the most susceptible.

Car sickness doesn’t mean all of your travel plans need to be cancelled. If your child gets sick, the best thing to do is to take frequent breaks during the trip. When the car stops moving, the sickness goes away. Allow your child to walk around for a bit before resuming your trip. What can also help is giving your child a light snack before your travel since hunger can worsen symptoms. It’s good for them to eat something within three hours before traveling. While in the car, playing music or engaging in conversations can distract them from feeling ill. You can also encourage them to look at things outside of the car instead of reading a book, playing electronic games, or watching something on a screen device. Providing adequate air ventilation can also prevent sickness. 

If you try all of the above methods and your child still gets motion sickness, stop the car and have your child lie on their back for a few minutes with their eyes closed. Place a cool towel on their forehead for relief. You may want to consider giving them medication. But, it’s important to know that while the medication may help, it can also cause side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth and nose, or blurred vision. Although some of these medications for motion sickness don’t require prescription, we advise you to first talk to our pediatrician before administering anything. Furthermore, if you notice your child experiencing symptoms of motion sickness during non-movement activities, especially if the symptoms include headaches and difficulty seeing, hearing, walking, or talking, it’s important to contact our doctor. These symptoms could be the result of something else. 

Car sickness doesn’t always last forever. The more your child travels in the car, the more they will get used to the motion. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.