Dehydration is a serious concern for us all, but especially babies. They are actually more prone to dehydration than adults. If they have been recently vomiting or had a fever or diarrhea, dehydration is a strong possibility.
How do I know if my baby is dehydrated?
Moderate signs of dehydration:
- Your baby has gone more than six hours without wetting a diaper
- She is lethargic and slow.
- She has dry, parched lips and mouth area.
- Her urine is dark and smells strong.
- When she cries, she isn’t producing any tears.
Signs of serious dehydration:
- She has sunken eyes.
- The soft spot on her head has sunken in.
- Her feet and hands are cool.
- Refusal to play; wants to sleep at odd times.
How do I treat my baby’s dehydration?
First of all, if you think the dehydration is serious, go to the hospital so they can administer an IV of liquids.
If you think it’s just mild dehydration, first call your doctor for an over-the-phone consult. Your doctor may want to see your child or give you specific steps. He/she will likely recommend offering formula or breast milk immediately and offering it more often until the symptoms subside.
If your baby is older than 3 months, the doctor might also prescribe something like Pedialyte to replenish your baby’s electrolytes (contains a balance of sugar and sodium that will promote absorption and help to replenish more of what they lose). Your doctor will give instructions on how much of this to give.
How do I prevent dehydration in the future?
New parents sometimes make the mistake of not offering enough fluids once their baby turns to solid foods. Since they had never had to worry about liquid intake (because everything they ate was liquid), they may forget to give formula or water in between baby food servings. Be mindful of this.
Obviously the best way to prevent dehydration is with plenty of fluids, especially on hot days and when he is ill. If your baby is under six months, offer exclusively breastmilk or formula for liquids. After six months, you can give some water (but no more than four ounces per day).
Do not serve sodas or juices: these are rarely hydrating and full of sugar.
Written by Dr. Nina Farzin, Inventor of oogiebear
Nina is a wife, mother and career professional who never intended to start her own business. When her children were newborns, she ached to ease the discomfort from dry, stubborn, crusty mucus (boogers)! As a doctor, she knew there were no safe solutions on the market to help her kids, so she invented oogiebear, a revolutionary booger removal tool that helps babies breathe easier.
Nina graduated Howard University where she earned her doctorate in Pharmacy (R.Ph, Pharm.D). She is a Registered Pharmacist in Washington DC, Maryland and New York. Nina and her family are fitness enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor activities and healthy eating.
