What is dehydration?

Dehydration is when your child’s body loses too much fluid.

Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common causes of dehydration.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

• Dry mouth

• Cracked lips

• Fewer wet diapers than usual (6 wet diapers per day is about normal)

• No tears with crying

• Irritability or less energy

• Sunken eyes, sunken soft spot in infants

Home care

If your child seems to have a mild illness and is not taking in as  much by mouth, try increasing fluid intake by offering small amounts  more often.

• For children under one year of age, give 1-2 ounces of formula, breast milk, or rehydration therapy (e.g. Pedialyte®, Rehydrate®, Infalyte®) every 30 minutes to an hour.

• Do not give children under 2 large amounts of water.

• Older children who are more severely dehydrated (see Symptoms) should be given only rehydration therapy.

Avoid ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) when your child is dehydrated or unable to take anything by mouth.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child has any signs of dehydration listed above, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.