Keep Young Athletes Hydrated

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Water is important in so many ways

It’s important for kids to be active, but during times of prolonged exercise, especially during hot weather, kids can become dehydrated.

Actually not only kids. Grownups often forget to drink enough liquids. FIY coffee, milk, sodas, soft drinks, alcohol does not count as liquids.

Water, fresh, pure water (without color, added tastes and bubbles) only counts.

Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration

When your child says he’s thirsty, he may already be suffering from dehydration.

Ironically, swimming increases the risk of dehydration because water activities forestall feelings of thirst.

Duh! Right! I love being in the water. And for the longest time I was confused why I was so thirsty all the time. Even when I take a long, hot, bubble bath, I have water with me, and some tea, and chocolate, but especially water. I kinda make it an event when I take a bath, but that’s another topic.

Drink lots of water

Encourage your child to drink extra fluids before an activity begins and continue drinking every 20 to 30 minutes during the course of the event. Try to schedule practices and games in the mornings or evenings, especially during the summer sports season to avoid the hottest part of the day.

And because kids copy their parents and grown-ups, also drink lots of water.

Signs of dehydration can include:

dry mouth
dry lips
lack of, or dark yellow, (smelly) urine
cool, dry skin
lethargy, or irritability
dizziness
headaches

When ever I see a kid – usually a girl – who puts lip cream (and I don’t mean colorful lipstick) on their lips, I have to hold myself back to not go over and tell the kid to just drink more water.

Dry lips are a huge sign of dehydration.

If I have 1-2 days where – for some reason – I don’t drink enough, I get chappy lips. I takes another 1-2 days of consiously drinking lots of water to get my lips smooth again.

When treating a child for dehydration, water is best for the first hour or two, then sports drinks with electrolytes can be added. Always have a few sachets of X20 Blast in your car or purse, all you need is a bottle of water. Most parks and ball fields are near convenience stores that carry bottled water but it’s best to keep a bottle or two of water (without gas) in the car.

If hydration is not restored, hurry to the nearest emergency room.

If you rather spend time with your kids at the ball park and have fun watch the video below, then click the link below the video and get back to me.

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Find out HERE what’s going to be happening when the count down goes to 0