Your child's daily fluid needs
Baseline fluid requirement by weight and age (Holliday-Segar) with exercise and hot-environment additions; a practical target in cups.
Frequently asked questions
Should the whole amount be drunk as plain water?
No. Total fluid includes water, milk, soup and water-rich fruit and vegetables. About 20-25% of daily fluid comes from food. Water should be the main drink.
What is the Holliday-Segar method?
The paediatric standard since 1957 for baseline fluid needs by body weight: 100 ml/kg for the first 10 kg, 50 ml/kg for the next 10 kg, 20 ml/kg above that.
What if my child doesn't drink enough?
Make water visible and accessible, offer it at every meal, and use healthy variety such as fruit-infused water. Pale-yellow urine is a practical sign of adequacy.
Are sports drinks necessary?
Water is sufficient for typical child training under an hour. For long (>60-90 min) intense exercise in heat, an electrolyte drink may be considered; energy drinks are never recommended.
Does this apply during fever or diarrhoea?
No. Fluid needs change markedly during illness and losses must be replaced; follow your clinician’s advice.