How Much Water a Child Should Drink

Dr. Tanya Altmann explains the importance of keeping your child hydrated throughout the day. Plus, she shares how much water a child should drink based on his or her age.

Transcript

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[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi. I'm Dr. Altmann. Is your child drinking enough water?

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I ask because lots of kids out there are thirsty. One study from Harvard found that more than 25% of children

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don't drink any water during the day and only around a half get enough hydration. Adequate water intake is important

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for kids' healthy circulation, metabolism, temperature regulation, digestion, and urination.

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Even mild dehydration can trigger headaches, irritability, decreased physical performance, and fuzzy thinking.

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Here's how much water your kids need a day from beverages. Children 4 to 8 years old need 5 cups.

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9 to 13-year-olds need 8 cups for boys, 7 cups for girls. And kids 14 and older should sip around 11 cups

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for boys, 8 cups for girls. Start your child's day with an 8-ounce glass of water,

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then pop a frozen bottle into his lunchbox. Keep a pitcher of cool water in the fridge and have kids drink at least 8 ounces

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before heading out to play. And remember to dilute all sports drinks and juices by half with water or just avoid them completely

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and choose plain water instead. Much healthier. I'm Dr. Altmann. Watch all our smart tips to nourish healthy kids.