Water Facts
  • Up to 60 percent of the human body is water, the brain is composed of 70 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. About 83 percent of our blood is water, which helps digest our food, transport waste, and control body temperature.
  • Water is that second most importatn nutrient (air is first) that the body needs to survive.
  • Water regulates body temperatures and organ function as well as moves nutrients throughout the body.
  • Water is lost through respiration, urine excretion, stool excretion and sweat.
  • 1 Pint of water per day is lost by simply breathing!

Therefore it is important to consume water throughout the day in order to maintain fluid balance.  This is very important in summer and particularly for kids.

How much water should you be drinking?

  • It depends on activity level.
  • Generally, healthy adults need at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
  • For physically active individuals, drink three cups of water before exercising and 2-3 gulps of water every 15 minutes during exercise.

Determining your ideal water intake:

Divide your body weight in half.  Use this number as the number of ounces of water you need per day.

What does this mean for active kids?

Generally, children take in les than half the amount of fluid they need.  Dehydration can occur quickly, especially on hot and humid days.  Thirst is not a reliable indicator of fluid needs, because by the time your children tell you they are thristy, they are becoming dehydrated.  Thirst is an indicator that we are not drinking enough water!  Always provide water to drink, even if they aren't thirsty.

Suggestions for providing enough water for kids:

For a baby is she or he takes the bottle I recommend using it for summer time - summer is not the time to wean a baby off a bottle.  Always have a bottle of water ready and available for your baby.
If your child does not take a bottle,  I recommend cups with lids: Nalgene Outdoor Store has very good cups for small children that withstand extreme temperatures.  Nobody wants to drink warm water. Nalgene has a variety of bottles - even baby bottles! They also offer replacement parts and are economic!  U.S site: http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com)
In the U.K: http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk - Nalgene can be found in sports stores worldwide.

















For older children Nalgene has a very good bottle for portable hydration.  It's a good idea to allow your child to take this with him during all summer activities even if it's only the back yard.


Water Facts
Symptoms of mild dehydration include:
  • Increased thirst.
  • Dry mouth and sticky saliva.
  • Reduced urine output with dark yellow urine.
Symptoms of moderate dehydration include:
  • Extreme thirst.
  • Dry appearance inside the mouth, and the eyes don't tear.
  • Decreased urination, or half the number of urinations in 24 hours (usually 3 or fewer urinations). Urine is dark amber or brown.
  • Lightheadedness that is relieved by lying down.
  • Irritability or restlessness.
  • Arms or legs that feel cool to the touch.
  • Rapid heartbeat.
Symptoms of severe dehydration (even if only one of them is present) include:
  • Altered behavior, such as severe anxiety, confusion, or not being able to stay awake.
  • Faintness that is not relieved by lying down, or lightheadedness that continues after standing for 2 minutes.
  • Inability to stand or walk.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Weak, rapid pulse.
  • Cold, clammy skin or hot, dry skin.
  • Little or no urination.
  • Loss of consciousness.
For severe dehydration: Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
By the time a person becomes severely dehydrated, there is no longer enough fluid in the body to get blood to the vital organs. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires emergency treatment.








Distribution of Water' of Sahih Bukhari - 541

  Narrated Sahl bin Sad: A tumbler (full of milk or water) was brought to the Prophet who drank from it, while on his right side there was sitting a boy who was the youngest of those who were present and on his left side there were old men. The Prophet asked, "O boy, will you allow me to give it (i.e. the rest of the drink) to the old men?" The boy said, "O Allah's Apostle! I will not give preference to anyone over me to drink the rest of it from which you have drunk." So, the Prophet gave it to him.  
'Distribution of Water' of Sahih Bukhari - 547

  Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "There are three persons whom Allah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection, nor will he purify them and theirs shall be a severe punishment. They are: 1. A man possessed superfluous water, on a way and he withheld it from travelers. 2. A man who gave a pledge of allegiance to a ruler and he gave it only for worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something he gets satisfied, and if the ruler withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied. 3. And man displayed his goods for sale after the 'Asr prayer and he said, 'By Allah, except Whom None has the right to be worshipped, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them)." The Prophet then recited: "Verily! Those who purchase a little gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths." (3.77)