20+ Foods to Fight Dehydration in Babies This Summer

Summer can be a difficult time for babies and young toddlers. The heat can make your baby irritable, cranky and sweaty, which also makes him averse to food. Loss of appetite and dehydration are common in babies at this time – something that can be very worrying for us moms. These two conditions can mean the child isn’t getting enough nourishment and fluids as required by his body to function normally. Hydrating foods for babies are a quick and easy solution to this trouble. In this article, we present some ready-to-beat summer food and drinks that are super healthy and nutritious. Read on and choose the best food for babies in summer.

Best Summer Foods for Babies

Now, let’s get down to what you should be feeding your baby this summer. Regular Indian meals like sabzi and roti can be heavy for your little one and may make him feel uncomfortable and heavy. While these foods are undoubtedly essential, you should consider giving them other wholesome foods that are age-appropriate and lighter on the tummy.

Here are the best foods you should feed your baby this summer to keep him cool, well-nourished and protected against dehydration. All the foods and drinks below are suitable for babies above 6 months of age who have been introduced to solids.

1. Dal Water (Dal Ka Pani)

Ideal for babies above 6 months, Dal water is a highly nutritious baby food that has been recommended to parents for generations. There are numerous traces of protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron, zinc, and manganese. You can start with moong dal water since it is easily digestible and has minimal chances of allergy.

2. Khichdi

A popular summer baby food and in general, Khichdi is easy to make, healthy, and provides your baby with protein. You can look at these 6 khichdi recipes this mom makes for her baby. These khichdi recipes are packed with nutrition and also very easy for babies to digest. Feeding khichdi lowers your baby’s chances of coming down with digestion problems like gas or diarrhoea at this time.

3. Summer Fruits

Consuming seasonal fruits is one of the best ways to stay hydrated and get plenty of minerals, vitamins, and fibre. Mango, muskmelon, watermelon, orange, banana, papaya, chikoo, etc., are excellent options. You can feed your little munchkin bite-sized pieces of fruits and make puree out of them.

4. Cucumber

An excellent source of water in the vegetable section is cucumber. Holding over 90% water, cucumbers keep constipation at bay. Cucumbers are safe to eat for babies above 6 months. However, some children may develop gassines after consuming them. If this could be a concern, you can start feeding cucumbers once they are 8 months old.

Furthermore, it is advised not to cook cucumbers but to serve them raw in the form of finger food like cucumber sticks. You can also grate cucumber and add it to your little one’s meals, like khichdi or porridge.

5. Idli

Made with the process of fermentation, Idli is made of rice and Urad gram. This fluffy pancake is good for gut health as it possesses good bacteria because of fermentation and is full of fibre, making digestion easy. Another benefit of idlie is that it is soft and chewy, making it easy on baby’s soft gums. You can feed idli to your little munchkin plain or with any chutney you may prefer, like coconut chutney.

6. Pumpkin Kheer

Pumpkin Kheer is an easy way to incorporate veggies into your little sunshine’s diet. It’s light and easy on the stomach. You can use breast milk or formula milk in place of animal milk if your little one is below 1 year old.

7. Custard

Milk custard with fruits is something most kids will gobble up if presented with it. The best part is that it is extremely cooling, too. You can easily add this dessert to your summer menu.

8. Steamed Broccoli

With around 90% water content, this high-fibre and mineral vegetable is ideal for summer. Plus, broccoli aids in improving vision and maintaining blood sugar levels. Steam or lightly saute them and serve them as snacks.

9. Curd Rice

Curd is loaded with calcium and is cooling for hot summer days. Your baby will be able to cool down from the inside as well with this authentic curd rice recipe. You can use this recipe for babies above 6 months, preferably for babies above 7-8 months old.

10. Lemon Rice

Lemon and lime are full of tangy goodness as well as essential vitamins. When paired with rice, it makes for a hearty meal that is not too heavy or greasy. Remember not to use too much lemon when making lemon rice for your little one, as their digestive system is still fragile and is in the developing stage only.

11. Poha

Poha is already a staple in India. It is lighter than rice and easy to prepare. You can make it savoury or sweet as you choose. Remember to avoid sugar and salt too much, as it can impact your baby’s health, and opt for healthier sugar options like dates or bananas.

12. Fruit-Lollies

Another summery favourite is ice lollies – great for hydration and reigniting the lost interest in food! But instead of the sugar-loaded ones, simply blend and freeze fresh seasonal fruits to make your healthy popsicles!

13. Jelly

Nutritionists recommend that you swap heavier desserts with jelly in summer. It is lighter and satisfies the sweet tooth, too. Ensure you avoid highly processed items in the market and opt for homemade, low-sugar jelly.

Best Summer Drinks for Babies

1. Breastmilk

Breast milk is one of the top drinks and foods for babies in summer. If your baby is still under 6 months, then breastmilk is all he really needs to stay hydrated. Since parents are advised to continue to breastfeed till 12 months of age, breast milk can act a superfood as well as drink for babies battling summer heat. You should avoid feeding your baby any other drinks, such as fizzy drinks or even water (if he is exclusively breastfed).

2. Plain Water

Water, plain, is one of the best drinks to keep your sunshine hydrated and healthy. Let your little one have frequent sips of water throughout the day to keep up with the daily water requirement and replenish the water lost during playing.

3. Barley Water

Barley water is an amazing protein-rich drink for babies, which is mostly used as a weaning drink for babies. It is perfect for babies 6 months and above to drink during the summer season and get energy.

4. Watermelon Juice

Watermelon juice is another hydrating drink for babies and toddlers in the summer. Similarly, you can make the drink from peaches, grapes, plums, pomegranates, and more.

5. Coconut Water

Coconut water contains electrolytes that will replenish your baby’s body with fluids, especially if he has lost a lot of water and salts through sweating. Plain, unsweetened coconut water works best to combat dehydration.

6. Chaas/Lassi

Yogurt is just the best summer food. It is both cooling and nutritious and also good for the gut. You can give your child chaas or lassi so that his nutrient-needs are fulfilled.

7. Nimbu Paani

Lastly, lemonade with some fresh mint leaves and masala…mmm! This classic drink is an expert at tackling dehydration in toddlers. You can make large quantities of nimbu paani and store it in your fridge. Give your child a drink of this when the heat outside gets too hot to handle!

8. Mango Lassi

Ideal for babies 8 months and above, mango lassi is a nutritious and fulfilling drink for babies and toddlers. It is best to feed them mango lassi in very small amounts since it has curd and mango, both of which are heavy. Also, take into account any unusual reaction from your baby after you feed them mango lassi to rule out any allergy or intolerance.

Disclaimer: Please note that these drinks and foods do not substitute breast milk as the main source of food and drink. WHO says babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of their life (1). BetterHealth Channel suggests gradually introducing appropriate food after 6 months of age and continuing breastfeeding for 2 years (2).

Tips for Keeping Babies Cool in Summer

Before fixing our baby’s summer menu, it is important to first help him regain his interest in food. The first step, therefore, is to cool him down. The following tips will help you ensure that your baby is comfortable and cool in the summer season (3) (4):

• Make sure the home environment is cool and comfortable by regulating the temperature using an AC/cooler, depending on how hot it is. Do not let your baby face the air-conditioner or cooler directly, but bring him to the room after it has cooled down

• If you are in a place that faces power cuts, remove layers of your baby’s clothing. Dress them in lightweight, loose, breathable clothes

• Keep your baby away from direct sunlight or enclosed spaces like heated-up cars

• Some studies indicate that during hot weather, your baby won’t use as much energy to maintain his body temperature as in winter. This is a major reason why he may have lost his appetite. You can try getting him to spend more energy on these indoor games for kids. If he works up an appetite, he may be more likely to gorge on food

• Bathe him in lukewarm water or let him splash around in a tub or inflatable pool indoors

• To keep him cool, use a clean and damp cloth to wipe him down at regular intervals
• Avoid swaddling your baby, as it can lead to overheating

FAQs

1. How much water should I give my 1-year-old baby?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can feed 0.5 to 1 cup of water to your 6-12-month-old baby in a day. For 12 to 24-month-old babies, you can gradually increase the quantity to 1-4 cups of water daily (5).

2. What food should I avoid feeding my baby?

According to the CDC, parents should avoid giving the following foods and drinks to their babies (6):

• Spicy and fried food – they are not good for the heart and build up cholesterol and may lead to childhood obesity
• Honey – Babies under 12 months should not be given honey at all costs as it could lead to food poisoning
• Cow’s milk – Young babies under 1 year have immature digestive systems which cannot handle the cow milk protein and cause discomfort to babies
• Canned food – it is high in salt and preservatives
• Unpasteurised juice or yogurt – Unpasteurised fruit juice or yogurt can put your child at risk of bacterial infection, which could be fatal
• Outside vendor food – it could lead to food poisoning due to food contamination
• Fizzy drinks, energy drinks, soda – these drinks contain heavy chemicals and colours that can impact children’s growth and development
• Raw meat – Babies’ digestive system continues to develop as they grow and is extremely vulnerable. Feeding raw meat or fish can pose a threat to parasitical or bacterial infections that could be fatal.
• Foods high in salt and sugar – Excessive salt and sugary items can harm babies and toddlers’ mental and physical growth and development
• Caffeinated drinks – Drinks like tea, coffee, sports drinks, etc., contain caffeine and should be avoided

3. How do I ensure my baby does not develop any intolerance or allergy to any food or drink I offer to them?

You can follow the 3-day rule when you introduce any food or drink to your child. Start with a small quantity and wait three days to check on your child’s reaction to that particular food. Do not introduce any other new food in the meantime. If your little one displays symptoms like hives, itchy rashes, abdominal cramps, shortness of breath, swelling on the mouth or face, etc., it may indicate an allergic reaction. In such case you should get your child immediate medical attention and consult the food with your doctor. It is also advised to try new food during daytime meals, so if any allergy or intolerance shows up, medical intervention can be taken more easily (7).

These summer foods and drinks for babies should keep your baby healthy and hydrated during the long summer months. But if your baby still faces feeding problems and loses weight, it is best to see the doctor and figure out if your baby has a tummy bug.

References/Resources:

1. Breastfeeding; WHO; https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1

2. Breastfeeding – deciding when to stop; BetterHealth Channel; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/breastfeeding-deciding-when-to-stop

3. Keeping your baby cool in the heatwave; Tommy’s; https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/blogs-and-stories/after-birth/tommys-midwives/keeping-your-baby-cool-heatwave

4. Babies in hot weather; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/babies-hot-in-weather#heat

5. Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/recommended-drinks-for-young-children-ages-0-5.aspx

6. Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/foods-and-drinks-to-limit.html#:~:text=Unpasteurized%20drinks%20or%20foods%20(such,also%20be%20called%20raw%20milk.

7. How to introduce allergy foods; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/allergy-foods#how

Also Read: 

First Food for Baby
Dehydration in Babies
Giving Water to Babies