Courtesy of UnitedHealthcare of Illinois

Summertime is here which means kids are out of school and temperatures are rising. That combination has Dr. Kwame Foucher reminding parents about the signs of dehydration in kids and sharing tips to keep their little ones hydrated. Dr. Foucher, senior medical director, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, says hydration is particularly important for children as they have higher water requirements than adults. Their cooling system isn’t fully developed. The surface area of a child is smaller and sweat glands aren’t fully developed, and this makes it much harder for the body to cool itself. Common signs of dehydration include:

A dry or sticky mouth

Few or no tears when crying

Eyes that look sunken

Dry, cool skin

Irritability

Drowsiness or dizziness

Dr. Foucher offers the following hydration tips:

4 Gulps per 15 Minutes: For every 15 minutes of outdoor activity drink about 4 ounces of water, this is approximately 4 gulps.

Pretzels, Fruit, Gold Fish:

Every 30 to 45 minutes give the child with some salt and potassium to help protect against electrolyte loss and promote hydration. Pretzels or goldfish or a cheese stick with some oranges, banana, or strawberries are good options. Avoid sugary sports drinks which were developed with an adult’s body in mind.

Increase Hydration with Popsicles, Gelato, Smoothies, Yogurt: Great ways to increase hydration in children is to make home-made popsicles and gelato with real fruit. Providing a fresh fruit smoothie made with coconut water, milk or milk substitute, or yogurt after some time outside is great, too!