Is your child drinking enough water? One of the most important things a healthy, active child can do is stay hydrated. We always think about it but are not sure about the exact outcome. Kids need to replace the fluids lost from sweating. Drinking water is the best way to do that. But with the number of sugary drinks on the market, getting your child excited about water can be tricky (“Not Just One Reason Kids Don’t Drink Enough Water”, 2015).

Kids need to drink plenty of water all year long, especially in the summer, to stay healthy, hydrated, and active. But a recent study finds that a staggering 80% of Aussies suffer dehydration on any given day (The Courier-Mail, 2016).

1 in 5 kids not drinking any water on any given day is surprising, says Asher Rosinger, PhD, director of the Water, Health and Nutrition Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University in State College. But for many parents, getting their children to drink water is not only a challenge; it is an almost impossible task. This lack of water can have a profound impact on children. It contributes to obesity, affects their overall performance, and can lead to other unhealthy habits.

 Dehydration in kids leads to symptoms like body pain, fatigue, and poor endurance. Longer-term, chronic lack of fluids affects the kidneys, liver, and brain and can lead to constipation, which can be very problematic.

The latest research indicates this is a real challenge for many. Rosinger’s study, published in JAMA Pediatrics in April 2019, analysed 8,400 children, showing everything, they ate and drank in 24 hours. That data found that 20% of kids aren’t drinking water on a given day. It also showed that when kids didn’t drink water, they were more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages.

“Those kids that did not drink any plain water consumed almost twice as many calories as kids that consumed water. That is when they would drink more than 10% of their daily calories from sugary drinks,”.

The Penn State research team found that when children did that, they added 100 calories a day to their diet — increasing their risk of becoming obese & overweight.

Why Don’t Kids Drink Water?

There isn’t just one reason that kids don’t drink water. It is a more complex issue than we might think. Some don’t like how it tastes, and others don’t know how much their bodies need it. The problem is made worse in some places by water distrust. “It should be easy to get a drink of water when you want one because tap water should be readily available and clean. As responsible parents, we must address this concern & find a solution.

Understanding the Problem

So how much water should kids drink? An adage says we should all be drinking eight glasses a day, but in reality, guidelines vary. Some scientific publications say thirst can be your guide, but the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics says that’s not a good idea for children.

After carefully considering all these factors, we introduced Thermos® Funtainer® Drink Bottles, which will make drinking water and other fluids fun for kids, print of children’s cartoon characters, which is sure to put a smile on any child’s face. It also comes with a push-button flip lid that exposes the drinking straw for a more hygienic user experience. It is made using Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulation Technology that ensures maximum thermal ability that keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours.

Figure 1

Features:

• Hygienic push button lid with pop-up silicone mouth-piece is easy to open (straws can be replaced and sold separately)
• Kid-proof design – durable stainless-steel interior and exterior withstands daily wear and tear
• Exterior stays condensation-free
• Non-slip, scratch-resistant base
• Handy carry loop on the lid
• For cold drinks only
• Handwashing recommended. Parts can all be pulled apart for complete easy cleaning
• 14 designs to choose from, including popular Disney characters

Figure 2

These vacuum-insulated designed bottles help kids get into the habit of drinking.

5 Advantages of Thermos drink bottle.

1. Straw or normal drinking.
2. Keeping cold.
3. Strong sealing ring to prevent water from leaking.
4. Parts are easy to remove for cleaning.
5. Highly durable & lightweight.

Figure 3

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Make it a habit- The best way to get your kids drinking more water is to make it a family practice as early as possible.

Build it into the entire day- Have a Thermos® brand drink bottle of water by their bed so children can drink it before they fall asleep and when they wake up. Make sure everyone has a cup or bottle all day around the house and when you head out.

Make water the only option- If water is the only drink available, chances are greater that kids will drink it, so remove sugary or carbonated beverages drinks from your house and check if it makes a difference.

Get water from food- It is important to remember that some hydration can come from fruits and vegetables. “Cucumbers, watermelon, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries are a good idea to increase the intake.

Get creative- Try adding fruit or fruit slices like strawberries and mint, cucumbers or berries to the Thermos® brand drink bottle. This will enhance water taste and make drinking more fun, especially for young children. You can also use small cut frozen fruits instead of ice cubes to enhance the summer taste.

Start small- If your child will drink only juice, cut it down by mixing it with water. The body takes some time to adapt to any change happening around us.

Let technology help-There are apps designed to help you remember to drink throughout the day. Smartwatches and personal activity trackers can help by offering reminders to drink. You can set reminders to go off on phones or voice-based virtual assistants.

Look at your habits- Last but not least, parents and caregivers should pay attention to what they’re drinking, especially in front of the kids. They tend to have a habit of imitating loved ones (Clopton, 2019).

We hope you got some helpful information from this blog stay connected for future updates.

References

The Courier-Mail, 2016. 80% of Australians suffer the effects of dehydration. [online] Available at: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/chinchilla/80-of-australians-suffer-effects-of-dehydration/news-story/8b0a98193f412b3d39e4965ceac64207

Clopton, J. (2019). Not Just One Reason Kids Don’t Drink Enough Water. WebMD. Retrieved 29 March 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20190729/not-just-one-reason-kids-dont-drink-enough-water#:~:text=July%2029%2C%202019%20%2D%2D%20Kids,from%20tap%20or%20bottled%20sources.

Not Just One Reason Kids Don’t Drink Enough Water. (2015). Retrieved 29 March 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20190729/not-just-one-reason-kids-dont-drink-enough-water#:~:text=July%2029%2C%202019%20%2D%2D%20Kids,from%20tap%2