How to encourage your children to drink filtered water

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• Set up a reward system – a special sticker or treat is a great incentive to drink filtered water.
• Be a good example so your children see YOU drinking filtered water.
• Choose water when you are out for dinner or at a café. If you make water the first and only option, it becomes a healthy habit.
• Take reusable water bottles with you when you go on a trip.
• Make sure that your tap water tastes good and you have fresh, filtered water available 24/7 with an inline water filter system.

These are:

• Less urine – in babies that means fewer wet nappies
• Dark yellow or brown urine
• Looking gaunt and pale
• Tiredness and lethargy
• Fewer tears
• Thirst
• Sunken or dark eyes
• Coated or dry tongue, dry lips and mouth
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Nausea and headaches

Severe dehydration is much more serious and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne lists the following symptoms to look out for:

• Extreme thirst
• Lethargic or less active than normal
• Pale and sunken eyes; tears may be absent when crying
• Cold – especially hands and feet
• Breathing faster than usual and have a fast heart rate
• Irritable, drowsy or confused

If your child shows signs of severe dehydration, seek immediate medical attention. See your GP or go to your closest hospital emergency department.

If you are wondering how much water to give your child, take a look at this WFA blog.

Associate Professor Allison Hodge of Cancer Council Victoria said,

“Our study found that the more sugary soft drinks participants drank, the higher the risk of cancer. This was not the case with those that drank diet soft drinks, suggesting that sugar is a key contributor.”

And according to the Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition, Ms Jane Martin,

“Younger Australians are consuming significantly more sugary drinks than older people; they are widely available and often discounted.”

Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said,

“Sugary drinks, including soft drinks, are already known to be a cause of obesity, which greatly increases the risk of 13 types of cancer. We need more people to understand the connection and make the switch to water.”

Cancer is just one of the chronic health conditions associated with sugary drinks. Other health problems in children as a result of sugary drinks may include:

• Excess weight gain
• Tooth erosion and decay
• A smaller appetite
• Picky eating
• A change in bowel habits

A common misconception amongst parents is that fruit juice is a healthy option. But a glass of apple juice can contain up to six teaspoons of sugar. Better Health, Victoria advises to limit unsweetened fruit juice to an occasional half a cup as a treat.

And instead, encourage children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and drink water.