Dehydration is when your child’s body loses too much fluid.
Fever, diarrhea, and vomiting are the most common causes of dehydration.
What are the synptoms 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 spots 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, give1-2 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, should only be given 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.
You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms.
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