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Question: Does my child need to drink more water in the summer?

Answer: You bet. In fact, she may need far more than you suspect. "My studies show that by the time kids are thirsty enough to ask for a drink, dehydration has impaired their thinking and coordination," says Oded Bar-Or, M.D., director of the Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. What's more, young children sweat less than their older siblings. Without sweating -- a natural cooling mechanism -- a child's body temperature increases, putting her at risk for nausea, stomachaches, and even heatstroke, he explains.

So how much water is necessary? Toddlers require at least 2 or 3 ounces of water for every hour outdoors, while older kids need about 4 to 6 ounces an hour. Tack on an extra ounce or two an hour if the temperature reaches 90? or if the kids are very active. Since cold water is better absorbed, pack ice cubes when traveling.

If your kids aren't wild about drinking plain water, mix it with a little bit of their favorite juice or a sports drink. Water goes especially well with grape or apple juice. Also encourage them to eat water-rich foods like tomatoes, melons, grapefruit, plums, cucumbers, and peaches.

Copyright © 2001. Reprinted with permission from the June/July 2001 issue of Child Magazine.

Sunscreen? Check. Hat? Check. Swimsuit? Check. The next time you head outside with your kids, make sure you don't forget the most important summer accessory: water. "Your child needs it more than any other nutrient," says Wendy Slusser, MD, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at UCLA. Water helps her digest food, carries nutrients and oxygen to different parts of her body, prevents constipation, and even helps protect her teeth from developing cavities. Kids can get dehydrated surprisingly quickly -- even though they may not seem to sweat as much as adults do. If your child is thirsty, has dark urine, is urinating less than usual, and feels flushed, he needs liquids right away. Protect your family by keeping these water tips in mind whether you're at the beach, on the basketball court, or in the backyard.

It helps regulate body temperature, so drinking enough reduces the chance that your child will get overheated. And if she's running around having fun, she might not realize she's thirsty and stop to drink, says Dr. Slusser. (Your child can get dehydrated even if she's swimming because being immersed in water can make kids less thirsty.) Whenever your child is outside in the summer, give her a cup of water before she starts playing and offer her more every 15 to 20 minutes. Also avoid being outside during the middle of the day, and encourage her to play in a shady area.

If your child loses too much water through sweat -- usually while playing a sport, running, or doing other vigorous activities -- he can experience heat exhaustion. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion. If you suspect that your child has heat exhaustion, get him to a cool place, give him a cold drink, put a wet cloth on his skin, and then call your doctor. Heatstroke is more serious -- and even potentially fatal. It occurs when your child's body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and can no longer cool itself. Dangerous symptoms to look out for include seizures, disorientation, lack of sweating, and shortness of breath. Dehydration can contribute to heatstroke, but it happens most often if kids are left in hot, enclosed places (like a car) for extended periods of time. Whenever your child is indoors on a hot day, always make sure the area is air-conditioned or well ventilated. If you think she has heatstroke, give her small amounts of water and take her to the ER immediately, or call 911.