Toddlers love being outside especially when the sky is clear and the sun is shining bright. However, being exposed to too much heat can cause dehydration. Here are seven simple tips on preventing dehydration in children.

Give Your Toddler Plenty of Fluids

Limit your toddler’s intake of sugary and carbonated drinks such as juice, shakes, soda and iced tea as these can cause dehydration. Stick to water. Water is the best drink you can offer your toddler. Encourage your little one to drink lots of water (suggested water intake for children is at least 8 glasses per day) especially when it is very warm or when he is actively playing. No matter where your toddler goes, always see to it he brings a bottle of water with him.

Dress Your Toddler Comfortably

Layering during very hot days is a no-no. Make sure your little one is dressed as comfortable as possible. Choose clothes that are loose-fitting, lightweight and made from natural fabrics such as cotton to allow the skin to breathe. Opt for clothes in pastel colors instead of dark-colored clothes since light colors reflect light while dark ones absorb it. The more heat his clothing absorbs, the hotter your toddler will feel causing him to overheat.

Include Water-rich Foods Into Your Toddler’s Diet

Giving your toddler soup during hot days is pointless. Feed your toddler foods that have high water content such as carrots, cabbage, cucumber, radish, spinach, squash, tomatoes, apples, grapes, watermelon, lychee, peaches, oranges and popsicles to keep your toddler hydrated.

Manage Your Toddler’s Activities

A toddler playing at the playground during midday will surely get dehydrated because the sun is at its highest. Keep your toddler inside your home or in the shade from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. Ask your little one to take a water break every 15 to 20 minutes when playing outside so he can cool down and replenish the lost fluids in his body.

Offer An Electrolyte Drink

If your toddler refuses to drink water because he is suffering from diarrhea, fever or vomiting, give your toddler an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte, PediaVance or ReVital. This special liquid refills the water and salt his body has lost, preventing dehydration.

Give Pain Relievers

A toddler who is in extreme pain due to an illness (e.g. sore throat or hand, foot and mouth disease) has a possibility to stop drinking fluids. Give the sick child pain reliever such as children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the discomfort and encourage him to drink liquids in small amounts.

Watch Your Toddler

Always keep a close eye on your toddler when he is outside. Watch for signs of dehydration. Oftentimes, children look fine after drinking water or after staying in the shade for a few minutes but it does not mean they are not dehydrated.

Dehydration is a dangerous condition especially to toddlers as they need ample nutrition and water in order to maintain their growth. Hence, adult supervision is needed to ensure dehydration is prevented.