Why You Should be Concerned about Baby Dehydration?

 

Most adults are aware of the problems that can arise from dehydration; however issues concerning baby dehydration and dehydration in toddlers are much more severe. Giving your baby plenty of breast milk and formula may not be enough to fully hydrate them, especially during hot weather. Also, babies who are sick or have an infection are more likely to suffer from baby dehydration, which can be life threatening if not treated properly.² After solid foods have been introduced into their diet it becomes even more important to make sure your baby receives the correct amount of liquids.¹

 

Drinking water is important to the health of toddlers as well in that it helps to defend against heat exhaustion, will help keep your toddler from being overweight, and will remove wastes from the body.³

 

How Can You Tell if You are Dealing with Dehydration in a Toddler or Baby?

There are many signs that will help you see if you are dealing with dehydration in a toddler or a baby: If your child goes for several hours without a wet diaper, has dark-yellow or strong smelling urine, has a dry mouth, is tired or fussy, or has sunken eyes.²

 

Make sure your baby gets about one and one-half ounces of fluid for each pound of body weight.⁴ Although they usually get the amount they need from breast milk or formula, there may be times when they need more to help prevent baby dehydration.¹ Pure, fresh Nursery® Water can be a good addition to your little one’s diet.

 

 

Water for the Whole Family

Water is a necessary part of family health because it:

• Is a vital part of every cell, tissue, organ, and bodily process.⁵

• Regulates your body temperature.⁵

• Removes wastes from the body.⁵

• Carries nutrients, oxygen, and glucose to the cells to give you energy.⁵

• Provides natural moisture to skin and other tissues.⁶

• Cushions joints and helps strengthen muscles.⁵

• Keeps your stool softer.⁷

How can You Prevent Dehydration?

To help get the proper amount of water to satisfy your body’s unique requirements, review these easy tips.

• Fill a container each morning with the amount of water that you determined was appropriate for the day, then drink it or use it to make juice or tea. When the container is empty, you’ve met your goal for the day.⁸

• Measure the amount of water in your usual glass or bottle. Most hold more than eight ounces. Make sure you drink two of them by early afternoon.⁸

• Keep single-serving bottles of water in your car, backpack, or desk.⁸

• Develop a “hydration habit”: Have a glass of water when you wake up, one with each meal, and one at bedtime.⁸

• Check your urine to make sure you're getting enough. You should urinate every two to four hours during the day, and it should be pale yellow to amber in color.^{9, 10}

   

 

¹The American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (Bantam Books, 1998), p.109.

²“Dehydration,” reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board, http://www.babycenter.com/0_dehydration_68221.bc, updated November 2007.

³“Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go,” reviewed by Mary L. Gavin, MD, http://kidshealth.org/kid/nutrition/food/water.html, February 2009.

⁴“Why Is Drinking Water So Important For Toddlers And Young Children?” http://www.more4kids.info/347/toddlers-and-water/, February 15, 2007.

⁵"Water: The Nutrient," http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=296, Updated May 04, 2010.

⁶“7 tips to keep your skin healthy during winter,” by Jeanine Downie, MD, November 30, 2006, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15979312

⁷“Constipation,” http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/encopre.htm, March 14, 2008.

⁸“Drinking More Water,” http://www.storknet.com/experts/nutrition/cd22.htm, accessed June 17, 2009.

⁹"Urine and Urination," http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/urineandurination.html

¹⁰"Urine Color," http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urine-color/DS01026