How Much Water Is Ok for a 2Yr Old?

Updated on June 21, 2008
K.N. asks from Marietta, GA
19 answers

My daughter's preschool recently sent a letter home suggesting that children could bring their own water bottle to school during the summer. I happened to find a 22 oz cycling water bottle that will not spill or drip and has no straw parts (great for me 'cause I hate cleaning all those sippy cup parts). The other day, I filled it up and gave it to her. Oh, she was so thrilled with her big girl water bottle... And apparently so taken with it that it motivated her to drink 30 oz in a 9 hour day-?! That's almost 4 oz every hour?! (She only weighs 26 lbs, MAYBE!) So after I calmed myself down from fears of water intoxication, I tried to find a guideline on the internet about water consumption for a 2 yr old... No such luck. I only found articles about water intoxication for infants thru 12 months...

Anyone know how much daily water is appropriate for toddlers? Since she likes her water bottle, I would like to keeping using it and I really don't want her drinking sugar water all day either... However, I'm not sure what's safe and I don't want to get educated about it in the ER room! (I should add that, although she has always preferred drinking water to juice during meals, she is not constantly thirty. Drinking that much water is not her typical behavior and I don't think there's an underlying medical condition.)

Thanks in advance everyone!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your advice and suggestions! I’ve definitely calmed down my paranoia, however I’m still not sure I have a good game plan for the summer yet. I did call her pediatrician… Long story short, although Dr did not give me a definitive per day amount (probably because they don’t want anyone to limit water in the event a child is thirsty), she was not comfortable with her drinking 30 oz either. And it turns out that water intoxication was not the Dr’s primary concern… She was more concerned with possible kidney damage (from having to constantly process that much water) should my daughter’s water consumption be excessive on a long-term, daily basis.

Yep, I ought to be more concerned with dehydration (thanks for pointing that out). So, today I took her water bottle to school but told her teachers not to let her walk around with it all day (chugging it like a saloon girl!); only let her have it for 5 minutes before going outside and then directly afterward. Also brought in a few juice cartons so she can switch between water and juice. And I also realize that I need to rethink my perspective on her snack foods. Typically I only offer her low sodium crackers and fruit snacks, but I probably ought to increase her sodium allowances if she’s going to be hot and sweaty and drinking more water… I guess I have lots to discuss with her Dr the next time we are there…

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M.C.

answers from Shreveport on

Maybe only fill it with 8-9oz of water and some ice. Then she will have cooler water all day and not so much. I don't know the recommended water intake for toddlers, but a sippy cup is only about 9 oz on average. Hope this helps. M.

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

If she is outside playing at school she is probably very hot and thirsty. I also have a 2 year old daughter and she will drink an entire 12 oz bottle of water in about 30 minutes afer playing hard outside. I would worry less about intoxication and more about dehydration in this heat.

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N.S.

answers from Houston on

On my rubbermaid squeezable water bottle I have a recommended hydration chart. For 1-3 it's 440z, 4-8 = 60oz, 9-13 = 72-84oz, 14-18 = 80-112oz, and 19-70+ = 92-128oz. Hope this helps! If your still frantic you could always take a deep breath and sip of water! (lol)

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J.V.

answers from Houston on

if you weren't so selfish you could get so much more done. i mean really, those indugent hours of sleep between midnite and 6am. if you would just give those up, you would have plenty of time for everything else. if you figure that one out, let me know. seriously, you need adequate sleep if you are going to get everything done that needs to be done.
on to your question, i would imagine that the new will wear off, and she will drink a more normal amount of water. if she doesn't feel water logged, she should be fine.

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S.O.

answers from Houston on

You take your body weight and divide it by 4 and that will give you how many oz of water you should drink a day. Thats how it works for adults not sure about kids.

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

It looks like Nina had the right info for you. One suggestion I have is to not fill the bottle all the way in the AM and make sure the daycare keeps an eye on how much water she is drinking. I would give them specific instructions on how far to fill it up and how often. I'm sure she will be fine, just keep an eye on it!

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S.C.

answers from Houston on

Since she was obviously not suffering any ill effects from drinking less than 1L of water over the course of an entire day I wouldn't worry about it if I was you. Adults can and should drink about 3x that much every day, and most people don't drink nearly enough! Be glad that your daughter has a water habit instead of sugary juice or sodas and relax a little. Educate yourself on the signs of water intoxication and consult your pediatrician.

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R.B.

answers from San Angelo on

I researched this for you and found that the Institute of Medicine states that a child between the ages of 1 and 3 years old needs about 1.3 liters (about 5.5 cups) of water a day. This includes the water that he or she gets from the food that they eat.
I wouldn't worry too much about her drinking too much water, especially if she is active and they get playtime outside. You could always call your doctor's office if you are too concerned about it.

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W.B.

answers from Austin on

Hi Karen,

I don't know how much water is good either, but I would give her a sippy type cup that empties slower. We have a Nalgene bottle that was given to my son that is a sippy cup, but it looks like a regular water bottle. There's a valve that inserts in it to slow the flow of the water. It's very easy to clean just pop out the valve and swish in soapy water with the cup and you're done. My 19 month old son would chug water too if he had a "adult cup" and does when he uses mine. This way he can safely drink water during the day without water intoxication.

I hope this was of some help.

W.:)

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C.V.

answers from San Antonio on

Water intoxication is very difficult to get. You hear about it happening during contests where the contestants are not allowed to urinate.

If you're still worried, just don't fill the bottle all the way up.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

You might also consider that she had a fun new water bottle and was playing with the water more than drinking it. I would give it to her at home and see how she acts if she pours it out on the grass or if she is spilling alot of it on her shirt. Also you can call the hospital and ask to speak to one of the nurses in the pedi. ward. I did this all the time when my new born was brought home and I had no idea about anything. They are there 24/7. Good luck.

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L.H.

answers from Killeen on

hi Karen,
it so happens on the news last nite ,but the kids where a little older that if they where going to be out in the heat 2 have them drink 2 20.oz glass ooof water and a water break every 20 minutes,but for your own peace of mind call the DR's office the nurse should be able to answer your quistion with no problem,
L.

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K.K.

answers from Killeen on

I personally had never heard of this until your question, so I looked it up on Wikipedia.

According to Wikipedia, a large amount of water needs to be consumed over a short amount of time for the fatality to happen. It all seems to revolve around eloctrolytes. So if your child is being highly active in the sun, or is sick and electrolytes are being lost through vomit or diahrrea, then that much water in the day should concern you as there are no electrolytes being replaced when drinking that much water. That much spread over the course of a normal day seems okay as long as she is not losing electrolytes. If you are further worried about it, purchase pedialytes powder packages to add to the water and it will also replace her electrolytes and you will not have to worry as much.

The key in my research is lost electrolyes being replaced by simple water with no electrolytes in it. They are claiming that a large amount needs to be consumed in a short time span or that a large amount of electrolytes having been lost due to exercise or illness then not being replaced but instead consuming large amounts of water is a major cause.

It did not specify how much per age range, I would assume it has something to do with body type and weight. The best advice I can give other than what I have already written is to take her in to her pediatrician and explain that you are concerned, or by her a smaller water bottle.

I would also give a heads up to the day care provider that you want her consumption watched...But usually the day care only gives them the bottles when they go outside to play or when they ask for a drink between "meals"...

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S.B.

answers from Killeen on

Wow, I feel out of the loop. I had no idea one could have too much water. My son is 3..almost 3 1/2 and he drinks a ton of water! It's usually after he's played outside and sweat a lot so I never worried about it..and he's never had to go to an ER. Of course, this isn't a guideline or anything..just experience.
Does your daughter sweat a lot? My son has always been hotnatured and I thought that had something to do with his water consumption.
If you're still worried I would switch to something like an every other bottle thing..One with unsweetened juice..then one of water..and so forth. That way she's getting the natural sugar she needs to get around and the water for her hydration.

Hope I was of some help!

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A.P.

answers from San Antonio on

If you can't locate any information online, the two places i would suggest is your pediatrician and for any of those questions that you a) its too late to call your doc or b) really just a general question that you don't want to have to worry about making an appoointment, I would contact the Nurse's Hotline...22-NURSE.

22-NURSE is the Children's Nurse Hotline through Methodist. I have contacted them in the past for information and they are very informative.

Hope this helps.

A.

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H.P.

answers from Houston on

If she doesn't usually drink that much, then you can probably just chalk this one up to excitement. I'd hurry and place a call to the pediatrician, though, just to get prepared for summer outings.

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R.H.

answers from Houston on

are you sure it all went into her mouth? if she is anything like my 2 year old some was on her shirt, the floor, poured into a toy or onto the table. if you are really worried about it call your pediatrician. also if she is playing outside a lot the water is ok. another idea is don't fill it all the way when she leaves for school. try filling it half way then freezing it the night before then the next morning fill the rest with water. that way she will get cold water through out the day and the ice melting will be like a refill, but without adding more water. good luck.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

How do you know that she actually drank it all? perhaps she poured some out, or washed her hands with it, or her feet for that matter. I don't think that she will drink more than she should, and even if she drinks a bit excessively, the newness of the cup will wear off in a day or two. She may have shared some with a new friend! I don't think that you have to worry. did she wet her pants? or did the caretaker say she went through lots of diapers? Don't be alarmed. water is so much better for her than anything else, and it's a good habit to get her into drinking water over most other drinks. Don't worry Mommy, little ones seem to know what their body's need and don't need nutritionally.

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H.F.

answers from San Angelo on

My understanding is that the health problems related to drinking too much water is that it flushes out necessary vitamins and minerals. Make sure to give her a multi vitamin and have her eat bananas or drink the occasional Yoo Hoo Chocolate drink that has a ton of potassium. Her natural instincts for thirst should guide her once the newness wears off.

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