New Moms + Hydration

Hydrating for Two?

When you’re pregnant or a new mom, it’s important to think about what’s best for yourself and your baby and that includes drinking plenty of water.

Pregnancy:

Just as you need ample water to maintain your health, your baby needs that water to grow and build a healthy body. Keep great-tasting Brita® water with you at all times. Use a faucet filtration system at home, a Brita® pitcher at work, and a Brita® bottle when you’re on the go. You’ll know you have freshly filtered water at your side, every day.  

New Moms

Start kids early with healthy habits:   Teach your children to respect their bodies and they will love you for it. You probably already know it’s just as important for infants and kids to get ample water throughout the day as it is for you. But, some kids balk at drinking a full glass of water instead of their favorite juice or soda. That’s why it’s essential to make great-tasting Brita® water a habit. It’s definitely one worth starting. Just put a Brita® pitcher, available in a variety of great colors, at the table at mealtime and a Brita® faucet filtration system in the kitchen. By creating good habits for your children at a young age you’re helping to ensure that they grow into healthy teenagers that understand the value of being good to their bodies.   Your infant and water: Infants need water to grow and thrive. They can get a healthy amount of water from breast milk or infant’s formula. If necessary, some doctors prescribe electrolyte mixes that provide sodium as well as necessary vitamins and minerals. Consult your doctor to make sure you’re giving your baby the right amount of water every day.   Something to keep in mind: New mothers who breastfeed their babies also need to increase their daily water intake. A new mother loses more water in her system than usual when breastfeeding.   Your children and water: Water can help play a positive role in managing your child’s weight. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic and the habits kids form when they are with you and on their own are crucial to maintaining a healthy weight. Tip: Eat at home more often, and to help your kids remember to choose water when at home, keep a Brita® pitcher in their favorite color handy. Once they feel and understand the difference water makes in their lives, it will become their favorite form of refreshment. Stock healthy foods and reduce juice and soda in their diet.   Dehydration: cause and symptoms: We know you don’t need reminding, but with little ones in your life it never hurts to get a refresher on the signs of dehydration so you can give them the water they need when they need it most.   Ways to help prevent dehydration in children: When playing in the sun, remember to take water breaks. Drink water during activity breaks, NOT soda or juice. (Soda often has caffeine and sugar; juice has sugar.)   Causes and symptoms of dehydration 3

Causes of infant dehydration:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms of infant dehydration:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Dry mouth
  • Lack of tears
  • Listlessness
  • Fussiness

Symptoms of severe infant dehydration:

  • Few or no wet diapers
  • Fast heart rate
  • Sunken eyes
  • A sunken, soft spot developing on the head
Your baby may need water immediately when any of the causes or symptoms listed above occur. Consult your pediatrician for more information. Toddlers and kids of any age (including your teenagers) are also in a high-risk dehydration category, although they are not as vulnerable to dehydration as infants.

Causes of dehydration in children:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Too much sun
  • Fever
  • Too much exercise

Symptoms of dehydration in children:

  • Dry, nonelastic skin
  • Dark urine
  • Dry mouth
  • Sunken eyes