Any attentive mother will carefully monitor the health of the baby. What if the child drinks a lot of water? The reasons for this phenomenon may be different. When should I panic and see a doctor? How much should an average child drink per day? The best tips and tricks are presented below. In fact, craving for liquids is not such a terrible phenomenon. If we are talking about harmless drinks, then you should not be very afraid. However, it is recommended to track the baby. A strong excess of the daily fluid rate is the reason for a visit to a specialist. Why does a child drink a lot of water?
Individuality
To begin with, one important fact should be clarified for yourself - the question of establishing the norms of fluid intake is individual. It is impossible to say exactly how much one or another baby should drink. Various factors can influence this indicator.
Which ones? Parents should consider that the daily fluid intake is set in accordance with:
- the growth of the child;
- its weight;
- energy costs per day;
- metabolic rate in the body;
- environment and atmosphere;
- temperature
- general health of the child.
That is why it is quite difficult to establish the norm of fluid intake for the baby. In adults, it is about 2-2.5 liters per day. After all, the average person listed indicators are approximately similar. And children are growing organisms. They need water in different quantities.
Heat and activity
Does the child drink a lot of water? The causes of this phenomenon can be varied. There is usually no reason to panic. After all, the atmosphere and activity of the child affects the amount of fluid consumed.
In hot weather, the body needs more water. Therefore, children drink more. And adults too. Do not panic if after an active day the baby asks to drink again and again. High energy costs are offset by the fluid consumed.
Perhaps this is the most common phenomenon. Before you panic, you need to make sure that the child did not have a busy day, and also that he is not hot. Mental stress can also be attributed to activity. The body expends the energy that needs to be returned.
Diet
Does the child drink a lot of water? The reasons for the phenomenon under study are diverse. Many parents begin to sound the alarm if, in their opinion, the baby is asked to drink too often. Actually, this should not be done. It is better to pay attention to the diet of the child.
Usually the baby receives part of the liquid with food. If the food is mostly dry, then the lack of water will have to be compensated for additionally. At such moments, the child is thirsty and asks to drink. It’s the same as eating dry - even an adult will drink food.
Therefore, it is recommended, first of all, to normalize the children's diet. Breasts, as a rule, do not need some water. But with a shortage of milk, it may be required. And wonder what the baby drinks should not. The main thing to remember is that everything is individual.
Addictive
Why does a child drink a lot of water? Another interesting option is getting used to a nipple or a drinking bowl. Actually mainly for young children. That is, the child with pleasure does not drink independently, but with the help of these devices. How is this justified? It has already been said - a habit.
In this situation, you will have to be patient and wean the baby from sucking a nipple or drinker. It is required to offer the child plain water in a mug. With this kind of addiction, drinking fluid (no matter which one) is just a way to have fun. It’s not worth leading a child’s doctor, but you’ll have to take a closer look at his behavior and do everything in order to wean him from addiction.
Before bedtime
Quite often, you may come across complaints that children are asked to drink constantly at night. Parents such behavior is alarming. Especially if the baby does not drink a lot of fluids during the day.
Does the child drink a lot of water at night? The reasons for this phenomenon are simple - this is the only way to calm down and fall asleep. It is explained by the device of the body. Most pediatricians consider this a normal occurrence. Therefore, you do not need to sound the alarm and think about the treatment.
Also, please bring a drink - this is a common way to delay bedtime among babies. If the child does not want to sleep, he will try to attract attention. Requests can be different - drink, go to the toilet, tell a fairy tale, and so on. Therefore, at night, the need for fluid is either the only way to calm the body, or a simple pampering that allows you to delay sleep.
Approximate rates
How much water should a child drink? In fact, as already mentioned, the issue is controversial. It is rather difficult to answer - many factors must be taken into account. But still there is a small guideline.
According to the established standards, you should look at the child, his daily routine and diet, if he exceeds the following indicators:
- children under 3 years of age on average consume up to 800 milliliters of fluid;
- from 3 to 6 years (inclusive) - about 1 liter;
- from 7 to 12 - 1.2-1.7 liters;
- adolescents - 2-2.2 liters.
Accordingly, these indicators are generally accepted standards. It doesn’t mean at all that a child should consume just that much fluid. But these indicators should be relied on. A liquid is understood not only as water, but also soups, compotes, juices and so on. This also needs to be taken into account.
Attention
Does the child drink a lot of water? The reasons are varied. Only rarely is this behavior a consequence of a disease. It's hard to believe, but quite often children ask their parents for a drink, only to attract attention. In fact, the body does not need fluid.
Pediatricians and child psychologists often point out that if a child begins to drink a lot, or rather, ask for a drink, it is recommended to look at their own behavior. Maybe the baby just does not have enough attention. In this situation, it is first necessary to devote more time to the child. And then the need for additional attention draws away by itself.
Breasts
But what if a baby drinks a lot of water? The causes of this phenomenon, as a rule, are slightly different from those that apply to older children. Breastfeeding babies do not need dosing. But some pediatricians recommend giving babies water. This is a good way to quench your childhood thirst. Kids drink and eat often - the body processes the incoming substances in about 2 hours. Therefore, one should not be surprised that the baby drinks a lot.
Especially when it comes to artificial feeding. The thing is that such a mixture is not breast milk. She only remotely resembles him. Helps to saturate the children's body, but at the same time contributes to the appearance of thirst. Breast milk is 80% water. Therefore, when breastfeeding with water, they do not dope. But with artificial feeding, it should not be argued that the baby drinks a lot.
Disease
However, not everything is as simple as it seems. Sometimes you should look at the baby. Maybe constant thirst is the result of some serious illness. It is recommended to take a blood test and look at the sugar level.
Does a child (4 years old) drink a lot of water? The reasons are different, if none of the previously listed is suitable, then you should consult a doctor. And first of all, as already mentioned, pass a blood test "for sugar." Constant dry mouth and thirst are a common sign of diabetes.
There is also another form of the disease. This is a common diabetes. In this situation, children usually urinate often. And in a large amount. Therefore, they need a lot of fluid to fill the deficit of water in the body. As practice shows, craving for drinks due to a disease is a rarity in children. No need to make an appointment with the pediatrician as soon as the parents begin to think that the child is drinking a lot. It is recommended that you first exclude all previously listed layouts. And only with suspiciously large excesses of the norm, take the appropriate tests. Now it’s clear why the child drinks a lot of water. The reasons may be different, often they do not require treatment.