Getting your toddler to drink water

Children between 18 months and three years are at an interesting stage of their lives psychosocially.

Psychologist Erik Erikson calls it the autonomy vs shame stage.

This is when children are becoming independent and discover that they have a choice.

They start choosing what to wear, play with and what to eat.

Picky eaters are developed in this stage of life and unfortunately, picky drinkers are also a reality for a lot of parents.

A lot of parents find it challenging to give their toddlers water and they could be at risk of mild to severe dehydration.

According to kid’s health education website About Kids Health, the symptoms are:

Fatigue and irritation; Headaches;

Sunken eyes;

Cracked lips (the Institute of Medicine’s dietary reference for intakes recommends children drink 1.2 litres of water per day. That is about six 200ml cups. Two to four cups is adequate, though).

So, with a fussy water drinker, what can you do?

Make your own flavoured water: a lot of children do not enjoy water because it is bland. So, instead of offering juice or other sugary substitutes, make water more enjoyable. Put fruit into a jug – mint leaves, lemons or strawberries. Lemon-infused water is also a great option if you are seeing some signs of dehydration as it helps replenish electrolytes.

Offer water incrementally: if your toddler does not drink a 200ml cup at a time, offer water in small amounts, say, every hour. At 60ml 10 times a day, the child would have consumed 600ml in a day.

Lead by example: make drinking water a family affair.

Buy a special cup: if it has their favourite superhero or cartoon on it, the child will love using the cup and thus drinking water.

– Citizen reporter

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