5 Signs Your Child Is Dehydrated

With temperatures surging all over the country this summer, it’s more important to keep yourself and your family healthy and hydrated, but do you know what to look out for to protect your kids from serious dehydration?

According to EatRight.org, “to get enough water, your child or teen should drink at least six to eight cups of water a day and eat the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Also, pay special attention to your child’s or teen’s water consumption when he or she is physically active.”

However, every parent knows it can be difficult to get your kid to chug water, no matter how hot is it outside. “Children are much more prone to dehydration than adults because their bodies don’t cool down as efficiently, and they are never more at risk than during the heat of summer,” says Parents.com. That’s exactly why it’s so important to have water, as well as Gatorade or other sports drinks, Pedialyte, ice pops, and even coconut water to quench your kid’s thirst.

Here are 5 signs to watch out for to prevent dehydration in your child, thanks to Mom.me:

Crankiness

If your kid is ever just having “one of those days,” the remedy may be as simple as a glass of water. Irritability is a telltale sign of mild to moderate dehydration, according to MayoClinic.org, so next time you find yourself wondering what the heck got into your kid, the answer may actually lie in what hasn’t gotten into your kid. (Water!)

Having a low-key kid can be nice, but if it’s due to dehydration, don’t let it slide.

Fatigue

The dog days of summer may cause you and your kids to spend some lazy days on the couch, but if you notice a marked decline in your child’s energy level, you might want to give some thought to how much water you’ve seen them drink lately. Having a low-key kid can be nice, but if it’s due to dehydration, don’t let it slide.

Dry Skin

If your child is still in diapers, checking her skin has is probably second nature. But irritation of the skin and dryness is a sign that there is not enough moisture in the body, regardless of the person’s age. If you notice your kid scratching a lot, they may need to be drinking more water.

Constipation

Pretty much every parent I know is an expert in their child’s bowels. The timing and consistency of bowel movements are good in decay and health, and sometimes health issues. When a child is dehydrated, her stool can become more dry and difficult to move, which in turn causes constipation.

Headache

This one is a little harder to pin down, but if your child is older and can tell you that their head hurts, the culprit could be dehydration. I personally have suffered from various types of headaches my entire life, so I can tell a dehydration headache from a sinus headache, however there’s a good chance your little one can’t. If his head hurts for no apparent reason, have him chug some water and see if it doesn’t let up within a couple hours.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE this with other parents on Facebook today!

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5 Signs Your Child Is Dehydrated is an article from: LifeDaily