Infant Dehydration
What You May Not Know About Infant Dehydration
Spotting the symptoms of infant dehydration may be a little tricky if you don’t know what to look for. In this article we are going to discuss the symptoms of infant dehydration, the treatments, and how to prevent your infant from becoming dehydrated.
The symptoms of dehydration may not be easy to pin-point at first, especially if your child is in the early stages of dehydration. You might notice that you child has not urinated in the last six or seven hours, or if he or she has urinated, it was much darker in tint and quite smelly. When a child isn’t able to urinate, or does so very slightly, it is a sure sign that he or she isn’t getting enough fluids. You might also notice dry lips or mouth, no tears produced when crying, and an unusual sense of sluggishness. Your baby may also be extremely fussy or falls asleep very often. In cases of severe dehydration, a child’s “soft spot” may appear sunken and his or her eyes can take on a deep-set look.
If your child has recently had a fever, this could be the culprit behind the dehydration. When we have a fever, the rise in our body temperature makes us sweat a great deal more than usual. When we sweat, we lose more than water, but also salt and other important minerals. The result is dehydration as well as lack in vital vitamins and minerals. Diarrhea and vomiting are also known causes for infant dehydration. Too much water can be lost at a quick rate through excessive “purging”. If your child’s fever, vomiting, or diarrhea becomes severe in nature, you should seek the advice of a doctor immediately.
The treatment that you administer to your child to rehydrate them depends largely on the source of the dehydration. If your child has become dehydrated through a fever, you should be able to rehydrate them by administering plenty of water. If fever or diarrhea is the culprit, then it’s time to attempt an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte. This will replenish the vital substances that your baby has lost. If your baby will not hold down the electrolyte solution or continues to show signs of dehydration, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may feel it necessary to administer electrolytes through IV treatment. While this may have you cringing—and you’re not to blame, it’s a very difficult thing to put your child through—it’s the quickest way to bring your child back to good health.
If you are simply curious as to how you can prevent dehydration from occurring, make sure that your baby is offered sterilized water a few times a day. Never attempt to give mineral water to a child under 12 months of age, but rather bring water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove and allow it to cool. Store in sealed bottles in the fridge and use within 24 hours. If your baby is old enough to enjoy a bit of juice, try diluting it with water. Breastfed babies usually get their thirst quenched through mom’s milk, but you can still offer sterilized water every now and then. If your baby begins to show signs of diarrhea, don’t allow him or her to drink juice or other sweetened drinks until the diarrhea clears up, as these often worsen the condition.
In any case, infant dehydration can quickly get out of hand. If you find that you are having trouble easing any kind of illness in your child, it’s best to call the doctor for advice. Sometimes the doctor will advise things for you to try at home, but in advanced stages of dehydration, you might be asked to bring your child in for an exam.
No one knows your baby better than you, so pay attention to your child’s behavior and act when you feel necessary. Best of health to you both!