2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
Physiologists in their studies have proven that the human body is 70-90% water, and its lack is fraught with dehydration, which leads not only to disease, but also to malfunction of organs.
Thanks to open access to information, every year more and more people learn about the need to maintain water balance. But it is one thing when an adult consciously sets this goal. But how to teach a child to drink water in the right amount? Indeed, to achieve the desired effect, the process will have to be controlled daily for at least a month.
What is water balance and why should it be observed?
The water balance of the human body is the ratio of the amount of fluid that the body received, withthe one he brought out. All processes occurring in the body are somehow connected with water. A person cannot even breathe without water, because it dissolves oxygen and carbon dioxide, which allows the lungs to function normally.
Forms of water imbalance
At the moment, there are several forms of water imbalance: dehydration and swelling. Each should be considered in more detail.
Dehydration
Symptoms of dehydration are:
- high body temperature;
- low blood pressure;
- increased heart rate;
- weight loss;
- constant desire to drink water;
- feeling sick and others.
The causes of dehydration include the lack of the right amount of water and an increased amount of s alts. Dehydration is possible in case of heat stroke, burns, vomiting, loose stools, etc.
Puffiness
Impaired water balance in the form of puffiness is manifested through the following symptoms:
- swelling of arms and legs in the first place;
- vomiting;
- appearance of convulsions;
- not feeling well;
- fainting and other symptoms.
Puffiness is manifested if the body is not functioning well. For example, in the case of diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver. Some people, striving for a he althy lifestyle, completely exclude s alt from the diet. Such diets can also lead to impairedwater balance and the appearance of puffiness. In addition, swelling may indicate late toxicosis, preeclampsia of a pregnant woman.
Restoring water balance
To restore water balance in case of dehydration, doctors recommend, in addition to water, to drink certain drugs that help restore the amount of fluid. Electrolytes also cope with this task, they can be purchased at any pharmacy. But in case of dehydration in a child, it is imperative to seek professional help from a doctor. The doctor will help to neutralize the symptoms in record time and prescribe exactly those drugs that are suitable for the baby. Of course, it is better to prevent both dehydration and swelling. And for this, you should teach your child to drink water, as if it were the most delicious drink in the world, and help him keep the drinking regime.
Unfortunately, many children who are used to drinking tea, carbonated drinks, juices, do not like to drink water. So how do you teach your child to drink water? To answer this question, you first need to determine the necessary, according to doctors, the amount of daily dose of water.
Amount of water per day
Amount of daily water is calculated according to age and weight:
- From birth to six months, a child, if he is breastfed, receives everything he needs, including water, from his mother's milk. So there is usually no need to take additional water. But if a child for some reasonbottle-fed, then the pediatrician discusses with the mother the amount of water needed for the baby (15-20 ml of water 3-4 times a day).
- From 6 months to 7 years, doctors recommend giving children water based on their weight. The required amount is calculated as follows: for 1 kg of the child's weight, 50 ml of water.
- Children who are 7 years of age or older already need to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day, depending on the physical activity of the fidget and the time of year.
Advice from doctors and experienced parents
How to teach a child to drink water correctly? The most important point is that water should be drunk on an empty stomach. More specifically, at least 20 minutes before a meal and 40-60 minutes after a meal (during this time, the stomach will just have time to digest food and empty, sending food to the intestines). It is better not to eat food and water at the same time, water will dilute the gastric juice, and this will lead to indigestion.
Drinking water before meals is a must, because it will be required for the digestion of food. And if there is not enough water, then the body will have to get the necessary amount in the intestines, which is not useful.
It is recommended to drink warm water, the temperature of which is higher than body temperature. Then the body will not need to pre-heat it, and the cells of the body will receive the necessary fluid almost immediately.
How to teach a child to drink water if he does not want to? First, be disciplined and lead by example. As the saying goes, it takes 21 days to form a habit. Make a rough schedule and drink water together. Can addelement of the game, inviting the child to drink water at speed, who is faster, and reward the winner. You can use straws or other elements that diversify the process.
Advice for Parents of Babies
How to teach a baby to drink water? After all, babies are accustomed to milk, and the taste of water at first may be unpleasant for them, children can spit out water and refuse to drink it. Experienced parents advise to give the child a teaspoon to drink, do it often and do not despair. Over time, the baby will cease to resist the process. It is necessary to force the baby to drink water only if he is sweating, naughty, he has dry lips, he is sick or the weather is very hot, and also if the child pees up to 4-5 times a day, while the process is painful due to the fact that that the concentration of acid in the urine is higher, and the color of the urine itself is pronounced. In all other cases, if the baby does not want to drink, it means that he has enough water in his body. You can offer water, but don't force anyone to drink it.
If patience and discipline do not help, then when asked how to teach a child to drink water, Komarovsky advises trying to use a syringe or a bottle. At the same time, water for babies should be chosen not boiled, from the tap, but well filtered, thawed or special for children.
When asked how to teach a child to drink water from a bottle, if the baby categorically refuses, try making the drinking holes a little wider. After all, the problem may bethat it may be difficult for a child to suck out liquid from a hard and uncomfortable nipple.
And a few more tips on how to teach a child to drink water from a bottle:
- Choose a softer pacifier.
- Check that there is no smell from the bottle and pacifier.
- Water temperature should be up to 37 degrees.
- First time, give your baby water from a bottle, imitating breastfeeding: put the baby in your arms and touch your chest to the cheek, but instead of the breast, give a bottle of water.
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