This is a common worry for parents when kids get sick. Here are some guidelines for you to follow:
WHEN NOT TO WORRY: here are some circumstances that are commonly mistaken as a sign of dehydration that you likely do not have to worry about:
- Sunken fontanelle – a baby’s soft spot on their head will normally vary from being flat, to sticking out some, to sinking in. This variation is normal, and a sunken in soft spot is NOT a sign of dehydration (unless a baby is severely ill with all the other signs of dehydration below).
- Illness without any diarrhea or vomiting – when a child is sick with any type of illness, especially with fever, expect that your child may become mildly dehydrated, but we don’t worry about mild dehydration. In order for a child to become significantly dehydrated enough to need medical attention, a child really has to be losing fluids through persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, or both. So, if your sick child does not have these two symptoms, then you shouldn’t have to worry about them becoming too dehydrated.
- Illness in which your child refuses to eat or drink anything – again, if there is no vomiting or diarrhea, you likely don’t need to worry. Don’t worry if your child won’t eat when sick – that is expected. This is especially true for illnesses involving the mouth or throat, like hand/foot/mouth disease or strep throat. As for drinking, as long as your child is not losing fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, it is likely that your child’s thirst mechanism will prompt her to take in enough liquid to maintain adequate hydration.
- Signs of adequate hydration: moist shiny mouth from saliva, pooling of saliva under tongue or lips, moist shiny eyes and/or tears dripping out of eyes when crying, urinating about every 4 hours, able to walk around without feeling faint.
WHEN TO WORRY: Here are signs of significant dehydration that warrant a trip to the doctor:
- Dry mouth, dry lips, sunken eyes, urinating less often
- Severe dehydration: go to the ER for IV fluids if your child has these signs: lethargic (limp, minimally responsive, minimal eye contact, doesn’t respond to your voice or touch), very dry chapped lips, mouth dry and sticky, won’t walk, fast heart rate, faint when tries to walk, no urination for more than 12 hours.
HOW TO STAY HYDRATED: Here are fluids you can give your child:
- Breastfeeding infants – just keep offering breastmilk. It’s OK if an infant throws it up. IF your baby wants to nurse, go ahead.
- Other infants and toddlers, children – diluted white grape juice (half water) is a good hydrating solution. Pedialyte or other oral hydration solutions are good, as are popsicles/slushies.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS VOMITING AND/OR DIARRHEA, SEE THOSE PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
