How much water should a child be drinking?

[Jabweb]

We all know that we should drink eight glasses of water a day to maintain optimum health - but does any one know how many glasses a child should be drinking? I have two children aged four and six - any ideas?

I recently heard a discussion about adults with bladder problems, but it seems that it applies equally to young children!

If children drink lots of water daily (afraid no mention was made of how much) their bladders get used to being full and this helps them when trying to get them through the night without a nappy. I must say I found it worked with me - the more I drink during the day the less chance of having to get up in the middle of the night.

Just a thought!

I am always trying to get my 3 and 7 yr olds to drink more water. They would go all day without a drink if I didn't remind them. Does it do any harm? They don't seem to suffer from it.
Of course they would drink unlimited amounts of sugary stuff...

Maryanne, that's a really interesting point. My son drinks loads - several beakers (holding about 200mls) of squash a day. In the last month he's just become potty trained and was dry at night too almost immediately. Even late night drinks don't have an adverse effect.

Well my daughter suffers from chronic constipation due to dehydration and has been on laxatives for 3 years under hospital supervison, at the mo she will (with a lot of encouragement from me) drink a half to a full 250ml beaker a day, and that it the lot! I have been told that she needs to drink 3 1/2 pints a day, anyone with any ideas on how to encourage her will be grateful, we have every type of straw, beaker flavour juice etc.. and nothing seems to work, she just never feels thirsty!!

Sounds a nightmare Missie. How about getting her to eat freezer pops? Tescos do some made with spring water and no artifical sugar. I think its something ridiculous like 40 for 99p.

Emmam, thanks yeah she's had so many that she can no longer stand the sight of them and eats jellies for every dessert and then some!! I think it will a battle until she discovers pubs!!