Toddler Dehydration Facts

 

Dehydration occurs when your little one loses more fluid than his body takes in. It may be caused when he sweats, has a fever or diarrhea, or vomits. Dehydration may be serious. Kids can become dehydrated more easily than adults, so you’ll want to know the symptoms. Some common symptoms of dehydration are:¹

• Sunken eyes
• Cold, splotchy hands and feet
• Dry, parched lips and mouth
• No tears while crying
• More than six to eight hours without a wet diaper
• Darker, stronger smelling urine
• Lethargy
• Lightheadedness, dizziness or disorientation
• Extreme sleepiness or fussiness

Dehydration should not be taken lightly. If your toddler shows any of these signs, you may want to take him to the emergency room or call your pediatrician for treatment or advice on rehydrating him. To keep him from becoming dehydrated, follow these easy tips ¹:

 

Encourage your child to drink plenty of water, especially when it’s hot and he could lose more fluids than usual through sweating. Dilute fruit juice with water to increase the amount of liquid. Avoid giving him fruit juice if he has diarrhea; it could make it worse. Give your toddler plenty of fluids if he has a fever. Let him choose between ice cold or warm and soothing; both are fine. If your child has a sore throat, skip the orange and grapefruit juice, which can sting sensitive tissues.

 

¹ “Dehydration,” last updated November 2007, http://www.babycenter.com/0_dehydration_11407.bc?page=1;