[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":568},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/en/guides/child-nutrition/hydration-guidance-children-by-age":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":540,"description":541,"extension":542,"faq":543,"meta":559,"navigation":562,"path":563,"publishedAt":560,"relatedCalculator":478,"seo":564,"stem":565,"updatedAt":566,"__hash__":567},"guides_en/en/guides/child-nutrition/hydration-guidance-children-by-age.md","How Much Water Does a Child Need? Hydration Guidance by Age",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":522},"minimark",[9,13,28,31,36,43,143,148,154,158,163,185,189,212,216,232,236,247,251,258,304,307,311,314,331,336,353,356,360,399,403,465,469,472,481,485,513,516],[10,11,5],"h1",{"id":12},"how-much-water-does-a-child-need-hydration-guidance-by-age",[14,15,16],"blockquote",{},[17,18,19,23,24,27],"p",{},[20,21,22],"strong",{},"Source:"," NHS, CDC, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), WHO | ",[20,25,26],{},"Last reviewed:"," April 2026",[17,29,30],{},"Most parents know that children should drink enough water — but knowing the right amount, and how to practically achieve it, is less straightforward. This guide provides age-appropriate hydration guidance and practical tips, based on NHS, CDC, and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations.",[32,33,35],"h2",{"id":34},"daily-fluid-intake-reference-table-by-age","Daily Fluid Intake — Reference Table by Age",[17,37,38,39,42],{},"The amounts below refer to ",[20,40,41],{},"total fluid intake from all sources"," — water, milk, other drinks, and water naturally present in food (which accounts for roughly 20% of total intake in most diets).",[44,45,46,62],"table",{},[47,48,49],"thead",{},[50,51,52,56,59],"tr",{},[53,54,55],"th",{},"Age Group",[53,57,58],{},"Recommended Total Fluid/Day",[53,60,61],{},"Notes",[63,64,65,77,88,99,110,121,132],"tbody",{},[50,66,67,71,74],{},[68,69,70],"td",{},"0–6 months (breastfed)",[68,72,73],{},"Breastmilk only",[68,75,76],{},"No additional water needed",[50,78,79,82,85],{},[68,80,81],{},"0–6 months (formula-fed)",[68,83,84],{},"Formula provides fluids",[68,86,87],{},"Water only with medical guidance",[50,89,90,93,96],{},[68,91,92],{},"6–12 months",[68,94,95],{},"Small amounts of water with meals",[68,97,98],{},"Breastmilk or formula remains main drink",[50,100,101,104,107],{},[68,102,103],{},"1–3 years",[68,105,106],{},"~1.3 litres (about 5–6 cups)",[68,108,109],{},"Water and milk are best",[50,111,112,115,118],{},[68,113,114],{},"4–8 years",[68,116,117],{},"~1.2–1.6 litres",[68,119,120],{},"Plain water throughout the day",[50,122,123,126,129],{},[68,124,125],{},"9–13 years",[68,127,128],{},"~1.6–2.1 litres",[68,130,131],{},"Boys slightly more than girls",[50,133,134,137,140],{},[68,135,136],{},"14–18 years",[68,138,139],{},"~1.8–2.6 litres",[68,141,142],{},"Increases with activity",[17,144,145,147],{},[20,146,22],{}," EFSA Dietary Reference Values; NHS eatwell guidance",[17,149,150,153],{},[20,151,152],{},"Important caveat:"," These are reference ranges, not targets to hit precisely. Individual needs vary based on climate, activity level, diet content, and health status.",[32,155,157],{"id":156},"the-best-drinks-for-children-by-age","The Best Drinks for Children by Age",[159,160,162],"h3",{"id":161},"babies-012-months","Babies (0–12 months)",[164,165,166,173,176,182],"ul",{},[167,168,169,172],"li",{},[20,170,171],{},"Breast milk or formula"," is sufficient for all fluid needs in the first 6 months",[167,174,175],{},"From around 6 months, small amounts of cooled boiled water can be offered with meals",[167,177,178,181],{},[20,179,180],{},"No cow's milk as a main drink"," before 12 months (small amounts in food are fine)",[167,183,184],{},"No fruit juice, squash, or sweetened drinks",[159,186,188],{"id":187},"toddlers-13-years","Toddlers (1–3 years)",[164,190,191,197,203,209],{},[167,192,193,196],{},[20,194,195],{},"Plain water"," is the best drink",[167,198,199,202],{},[20,200,201],{},"Full-fat cow's milk"," up to about 400ml/day is appropriate (semi-skimmed from age 2)",[167,204,205,208],{},[20,206,207],{},"No more than 150ml of diluted unsweetened fruit juice"," at mealtimes — not as a regular drink",[167,210,211],{},"No fizzy drinks, squash, or flavoured water with added sugar",[159,213,215],{"id":214},"children-411-years","Children (4–11 years)",[164,217,218,223,226,229],{},[167,219,220,222],{},[20,221,195],{}," should be the main drink throughout the day",[167,224,225],{},"Milk is a good source of calcium and fluid — semi-skimmed is suitable",[167,227,228],{},"Limit juice to 150ml at mealtimes; avoid sweet drinks and flavoured waters",[167,230,231],{},"Sparkling water is fine, but acidic drinks consumed too frequently can affect tooth enamel",[159,233,235],{"id":234},"teenagers-1218-years","Teenagers (12–18 years)",[164,237,238,241,244],{},[167,239,240],{},"Water remains the best main drink",[167,242,243],{},"Energy drinks, sports drinks, and high-caffeine drinks are not recommended for under-18s",[167,245,246],{},"NHS guidance advises keeping caffeine (from tea, coffee, cola) to a maximum — under-18s should limit caffeine intake",[32,248,250],{"id":249},"how-to-tell-if-a-child-is-getting-enough-fluid","How to Tell If a Child Is Getting Enough Fluid",[17,252,253,254,257],{},"The most practical check is ",[20,255,256],{},"urine colour",":",[44,259,260,270],{},[47,261,262],{},[50,263,264,267],{},[53,265,266],{},"Urine Colour",[53,268,269],{},"Hydration Status",[63,271,272,280,288,296],{},[50,273,274,277],{},[68,275,276],{},"Pale yellow (like lemonade)",[68,278,279],{},"Well hydrated",[50,281,282,285],{},[68,283,284],{},"Dark yellow or amber",[68,286,287],{},"Mildly dehydrated — drink more water",[50,289,290,293],{},[68,291,292],{},"Brown or very dark",[68,294,295],{},"Significantly dehydrated — seek medical advice",[50,297,298,301],{},[68,299,300],{},"Colourless",[68,302,303],{},"May be drinking too much (rare in children)",[17,305,306],{},"Other indicators of good hydration: regular wet nappies (infants), frequent urination in older children, moist lips and mouth, normal energy levels.",[32,308,310],{"id":309},"signs-of-dehydration-in-children","Signs of Dehydration in Children",[17,312,313],{},"Mild to moderate dehydration:",[164,315,316,319,322,325,328],{},[167,317,318],{},"Darker urine",[167,320,321],{},"Fewer wet nappies than usual (infants)",[167,323,324],{},"Dry lips and mouth",[167,326,327],{},"Irritability",[167,329,330],{},"Fatigue and reduced energy",[17,332,333],{},[20,334,335],{},"Severe dehydration — contact a doctor:",[164,337,338,341,344,347,350],{},[167,339,340],{},"Sunken fontanelle (soft spot) in infants",[167,342,343],{},"No tears when crying",[167,345,346],{},"Sunken eyes",[167,348,349],{},"Very infrequent urination (less than once every 8 hours in children over 1 year)",[167,351,352],{},"Extreme lethargy or difficulty waking",[17,354,355],{},"Dehydration in infants and young children can worsen quickly. If a young child has diarrhoea and vomiting and is not keeping fluids down, contact your doctor or NHS 111.",[32,357,359],{"id":358},"practical-tips-for-getting-children-to-drink-more-water","Practical Tips for Getting Children to Drink More Water",[361,362,363,369,375,381,387,393],"ol",{},[167,364,365,368],{},[20,366,367],{},"Keep water visible and accessible"," — a water bottle at their seat, on their desk, or in their bag removes the barrier of having to ask",[167,370,371,374],{},[20,372,373],{},"Infuse plain water"," — add a slice of lemon, cucumber, or strawberry if a child finds water boring",[167,376,377,380],{},[20,378,379],{},"Offer water with every meal"," — it becomes routine quickly",[167,382,383,386],{},[20,384,385],{},"Use a fun cup or bottle"," — for younger children, the vessel often matters as much as the drink",[167,388,389,392],{},[20,390,391],{},"Lead by example"," — children notice what adults drink and follow suit",[167,394,395,398],{},[20,396,397],{},"Increase intake during hot weather and sport"," — physical activity in summer significantly increases fluid needs",[32,400,402],{"id":401},"what-to-avoid","What to Avoid",[44,404,405,415],{},[47,406,407],{},[50,408,409,412],{},[53,410,411],{},"Drink",[53,413,414],{},"Why to Limit or Avoid",[63,416,417,425,433,441,449,457],{},[50,418,419,422],{},[68,420,421],{},"Fruit juice",[68,423,424],{},"High natural sugar; 150ml/day max, at mealtimes, diluted",[50,426,427,430],{},[68,428,429],{},"Squash / cordial",[68,431,432],{},"Contains sugar or sweeteners; regular use damages teeth",[50,434,435,438],{},[68,436,437],{},"Fizzy drinks",[68,439,440],{},"High sugar; acidic; no nutritional value",[50,442,443,446],{},[68,444,445],{},"Sports drinks",[68,447,448],{},"High sugar and electrolytes; not for everyday use",[50,450,451,454],{},[68,452,453],{},"Energy drinks",[68,455,456],{},"Caffeine; not suitable for under-18s",[50,458,459,462],{},[68,460,461],{},"Flavoured milk drinks",[68,463,464],{},"High sugar; occasional treat only",[32,466,468],{"id":467},"hydration-and-child-nutrition","Hydration and Child Nutrition",[17,470,471],{},"Hydration is one of several interconnected nutrition factors for children. Adequate fluid intake supports digestion, cognitive focus, physical activity, and kidney function. It also helps children distinguish genuine hunger from thirst — a common cause of overeating.",[17,473,474,475,480],{},"Use our ",[476,477,479],"a",{"href":478},"/child-nutrition-calculator","Child Nutrition Calculator"," for estimated daily calorie and hydration guidance based on your child's age, sex, and activity level.",[32,482,484],{"id":483},"related-guides","Related Guides",[164,486,487,492,499,506],{},[167,488,489,491],{},[476,490,479],{"href":478}," — daily calorie and hydration estimates",[167,493,494,498],{},[476,495,497],{"href":496},"/guides/child-nutrition/how-many-calories-does-a-child-need","How Many Calories Does a Child Need by Age?"," — calorie guidance by age band",[167,500,501,505],{},[476,502,504],{"href":503},"/guides/child-nutrition/balanced-diet-for-children","Balanced Diet Basics for Children"," — food group guidance",[167,507,508,512],{},[476,509,511],{"href":510},"/guides/child-nutrition/when-to-seek-professional-nutrition-advice","When to Seek Professional Nutrition Advice"," — when a dietitian can help",[514,515],"hr",{},[17,517,518],{},[519,520,521],"em",{},"This guide is for general information only. Reference values are from NHS, CDC, and EFSA guidance. Specific medical conditions may alter fluid requirements. Always consult your child's GP or healthcare provider for personalised advice.",{"title":523,"searchDepth":524,"depth":524,"links":525},"",2,[526,527,534,535,536,537,538,539],{"id":34,"depth":524,"text":35},{"id":156,"depth":524,"text":157,"children":528},[529,531,532,533],{"id":161,"depth":530,"text":162},3,{"id":187,"depth":530,"text":188},{"id":214,"depth":530,"text":215},{"id":234,"depth":530,"text":235},{"id":249,"depth":524,"text":250},{"id":309,"depth":524,"text":310},{"id":358,"depth":524,"text":359},{"id":401,"depth":524,"text":402},{"id":467,"depth":524,"text":468},{"id":483,"depth":524,"text":484},"child-nutrition","Evidence-based hydration guidance for children — daily water intake recommendations by age from NHS, CDC and WHO, signs of dehydration, and practical tips for parents.","md",[544,547,550,553,556],{"question":545,"answer":546},"How much water should a 2-year-old drink per day?","Toddlers aged 1–3 years are typically recommended to drink around 1.3 litres (about 5–6 cups) of total fluids per day, including water, milk, and water in food. Plain water is the best drink after milk. Source: EFSA/NHS.",{"question":548,"answer":549},"How much water does a school-age child need?","Children aged 4–8 years need around 1.2–1.6 litres of total fluid per day. Children aged 9–13 need approximately 1.6–2.1 litres. These amounts increase in hot weather or during physical activity.",{"question":551,"answer":552},"Is juice a good way to hydrate children?","Whole fruit is preferable to juice. If juice is given, NHS guidance recommends no more than 150ml per day for children, diluted, and only at mealtimes — not as a main drink throughout the day, as it contributes to tooth decay and excess sugar.",{"question":554,"answer":555},"What are the signs of dehydration in children?","Early signs include: darker urine (should be pale yellow), dry lips or mouth, fewer wet nappies (for infants), less frequent urination, irritability, and fatigue. More serious signs include sunken eyes, no tears when crying, and lethargy — these require prompt medical attention.",{"question":557,"answer":558},"Do children need sports drinks?","No. Sports drinks are not appropriate for everyday hydration in children — they contain high amounts of sugar and electrolytes designed for intense athletic performance. Water is the best drink for everyday hydration.",{"lastVerified":560,"sourceFamily":561},"2026-04-02","NHS, CDC, WHO/EFSA",true,"/en/guides/child-nutrition/hydration-guidance-children-by-age",{"title":5,"description":541},"en/guides/child-nutrition/hydration-guidance-children-by-age",null,"hZe-dGNlVnaUUaIJyrsD0gYC33ddupg-SzPY5osk_rc",1775557776744]