Typical Liquid Intake for Toddlers
Every parent worries that her child may be drinking too much -- or not enough. What to Expect suggests that a toddler should drink between 4 cups to 6 cups of fluid every day, but different situations affect whether your child needs more or less. Dehydration can affect your child's growth, so take care that he's getting what he needs.
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Determining Your Child's Needs
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According to the Asian Food Information Center, your toddler needs about 1.5 oz. to 2 oz. of liquid per pound of body weight. A standard cup is 8 oz.. After you've determined how much your child needs according to her weight, you can divide it up by the number of meals, allotting for some additional liquids between them.
When He'll Need Less
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Your child won't only be getting liquids from a glass -- many foods also contain water. On a day that your child eats a lot of fruit, such as berries or watermelon, or when you have a broth-based soup for a meal, your child will probably drink less. Of course, you should still offer drinks to go with these meals, but don't force your child to drink if he's not thirsty.
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When She'll Need More
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Illnesses can cause dehydration, especially those that induce vomiting or diarrhea. When your child is sick, she'll need to drink more fluids. During hot weather or periods where she's extremely active, she may be sweating more, which leads to a loss of water. Give her more liquids -- including ice pops or fruits -- during this time.
Choosing the Right Liquids
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Think about nutrition when choosing drinks for your child. Milk is usually a good choice, but should only account for 2 cups to 3 cups of liquid each day, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Juice can be another good choice, but you should read the label to be sure it's 100 percent juice. Some drinks masquerade as juice, but are little more than sugar water. Drinking should never interfere with your child's food intake, though, so if he's not eating much at meals, cut back on the calorie-filled drinks.
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References
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