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Drinking Water for Toddlers Is Essential
By Mary Simmons

Children and drinking water don't often mix; since kids see all sorts of concoctions on television that make water appear very unexciting and unappealing. Providing water for a toddler early on, and encouraging him to drink it as part of his routine, makes the task less daunting. If you wait to introduce water to a toddler once he's tasted yummy beverages like Kool Aid and cola, he will probably wrinkle his nose and ask for something else after one sip.

Why Is Water So Important?

Adults are thought to be comprised of nearly 50% water and infants as much as 75%, so water for toddlers is a necessary beverage in order to maintain health. Water will cool down our bodies, lubricate our joints, and make our muscles work smoothly. If your body runs short, you can become dehydrated, and that is a condition that can become deadly if left untreated.

How Much Water Does A Child Need?

Young children are said to need about 1-1/2 ounces of water per pound of their body weight each day. The amount of water for toddler's daily need will vary as a result, but it is easy to calculate the correct amount if you know how much your child weighs. Be careful not to go overboard however, since too much water can be just as dangerous as not enough. Water will fill you up without providing any calories, so it can decrease the appetite of a growing toddler if given in large quantities too often.

What Counts as Water?

Your child refuses to drink the stuff no matter what you try. So, how can you provide enough water for a toddler who resists traditional methods? The answer is simple - feed them water-rich foods! Most juice, soups, vegetables and milk have high water content, that is somewhere around 80%. Juice popsicles, fruit smoothies and water with a splash of Kool Aid are good choices too.

Tips for Getting Your Toddler to Drink More Water

Keep the water COLD, because there is nothing less tasteful to a child than a glass of room-temperature water. Another good idea is to purchase a special cup that the child knows will only be used for water. Water from a brightly colored pitcher will attract young ones to drink, but the absolute best method for a reluctant water-drinker is ice. Cubes in fun shapes work especially well, but ordinary ones will do the trick also. Be sure to watch your child with ice since it can be a choking hazard. Water for toddlers is SO important, so you need to do whatever it takes to get them to drink it regularly!

Author Details:
Mary Simmons writes for a number of sites about health, beauty and cosmetic surgery, she also makes contributions on the subject of baby care & toddlers.

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