Hydration is really important for our health, and it changes as we move through different stages of life. From being babies to growing old, our bodies need different amounts of water depending on what we do and how old we are.
Infants need a lot of water—about 75-78% of their bodies is water! They get their hydration from breast milk or formula. For toddlers, we can start giving them water too. A good idea is to serve them about 4-8 ounces of water each day. This helps their organs grow and supports digestion.
As kids get older, they start to move around a lot more, which means they need more fluids. They should drink about 5-7 cups of water each day. If they’re playing sports or hanging out outside in the heat, they’ll need even more! Make sure they have a mix of drinks like water, milk, and a little juice to stay hydrated. If a kid is dehydrated, they might feel tired or have trouble focusing, which can affect their schoolwork and friendships.
For adults, the general advice is to drink about 3.7 liters (or 13 cups) for men and 2.7 liters (about 9 cups) for women each day. This includes all the drinks and food we have. Staying hydrated helps us stay active, think clearly, and feel good. If you feel thirsty, that’s a sign to drink up! Hot weather or exercising a lot can also mean you need more fluids.
As people get older, they still need plenty of hydration, but they might not feel thirsty as much. This can make seniors more at risk for dehydration. They should try to drink 6-8 cups of fluids each day and eat foods that have a lot of water in them, like fruits and vegetables. Signs of dehydration in seniors can include confusion and dizziness, which can lead to even bigger health problems.
No matter what stage of life you are in, drinking enough water is really key to staying healthy. Adjusting how we hydrate based on age helps everyone make the most of their nutrition and stay in great health!
Hydration is really important for our health, and it changes as we move through different stages of life. From being babies to growing old, our bodies need different amounts of water depending on what we do and how old we are.
Infants need a lot of water—about 75-78% of their bodies is water! They get their hydration from breast milk or formula. For toddlers, we can start giving them water too. A good idea is to serve them about 4-8 ounces of water each day. This helps their organs grow and supports digestion.
As kids get older, they start to move around a lot more, which means they need more fluids. They should drink about 5-7 cups of water each day. If they’re playing sports or hanging out outside in the heat, they’ll need even more! Make sure they have a mix of drinks like water, milk, and a little juice to stay hydrated. If a kid is dehydrated, they might feel tired or have trouble focusing, which can affect their schoolwork and friendships.
For adults, the general advice is to drink about 3.7 liters (or 13 cups) for men and 2.7 liters (about 9 cups) for women each day. This includes all the drinks and food we have. Staying hydrated helps us stay active, think clearly, and feel good. If you feel thirsty, that’s a sign to drink up! Hot weather or exercising a lot can also mean you need more fluids.
As people get older, they still need plenty of hydration, but they might not feel thirsty as much. This can make seniors more at risk for dehydration. They should try to drink 6-8 cups of fluids each day and eat foods that have a lot of water in them, like fruits and vegetables. Signs of dehydration in seniors can include confusion and dizziness, which can lead to even bigger health problems.
No matter what stage of life you are in, drinking enough water is really key to staying healthy. Adjusting how we hydrate based on age helps everyone make the most of their nutrition and stay in great health!