The thermometer registered 104 in Jersey City last week. Summer is undeniably here. When I think about summer I think sun but when the temps go above 90 I think water. Water is not only a big part of summer it is essential for good health. Let's think about how much we use water. We go to the shore, spend time at the pool, take many more showers, water our gardens more often and drink lots more water; or at least we should. (Everyone that is, except infants. I'll explain that in a bit.) Water is key to staying healthy during the hot summer months. Here are some facts about water:

• About 70% of an adult's body is made up of water. In the summer because of the heat and increased activity our bodies loose water in the form of sweat. Sweat, by the way is a good thing. It regulates our body temperature and helps us to stay cool. As we lose water we must replenish it. 

• Although it is recommended that we drink 8 cups of water a day, a more accurate measurement is twice your body weight in ounces. For example a person weighing 140 pounds should drink 70 ounces of water. (140 divided by 2 = 70)
• Not all water needs to be consumed in liquid form. Nearly all foods contain some water. The foods we typically eat in summer are considered wet foods; salads and fruits such as lettuce, watermelon, strawberries and peaches just to name a few.
• Some drinks although made up mostly of water do not hydrate the body. Soft drinks, coffee, and tea contains lots of water but also lots of caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and prevents water from being absorbed into the body. If you are drinking caffeine (or alcohol) make sure you drink additional water to make up for the water that is not going to vital parts of your body.

Attention Moms:  

Infants do not need to drink water!

Babies get all the liquid they need from breast milk or formula. Their whole diet is liquid and mostly water. When a baby starts eating solids (at about 6 months) you may want to add water to her diet but no more than 2 to 4 ounces daily. You don't want water to replace the breast milk or formula. It's also a good idea to feed your baby water in a sippy cup. It's a good way to introduce a cup and won't cause nipple confusion. Too much water can be dangerous. According to James P. Keating MD, medical director of the St Louis Children's Hospital Diagnostic Center, " Too much water dilutes a baby's normal sodium levels and can lead to seizures, coma, brain damage and death." This is known as water intoxication. If your baby is eating solids and you feel your baby needs water, limit it to 2 to 3 ounces at a time and only after your baby has satisfied her hunger with breast milk or formula.    

Enjoy the rest of your summer ~ Laura