29
Is your baby
dehydrated?
Dehydration is the loss of
water and essential salts the
body needs to function. Babies
are more prone to dehydration
than adults, so it’s important
to get a child rehydrated as
soon as possible.
What causes dehydration?
Dehydration can often result from cases of fever,
diarrhoea or vomiting, or simply when your baby isn’t
taking in enough water or milk to replace lost fluids.
How do I know if my child
is dehydrated?
It is important to know the signs of dehydration so
you know what to do. Signs to watch out for:
ack of urine/wet nappies over the last 6-8
L
hours in an infant (or a small amount of dark
yellow urine)
ack of urine/wet nappies over the last 12 hours
L
in an older child (or a small amount of dark
yellow urine)
our child is very thirsty
Y
our child’s skin is cool and dry
Y
ry or sticky mouth
D
ew or no tears when crying
F
our child’s eyes look sunken-in
Y
ethargy or irritability
L
atigue or dizziness in an older child
F
he soft spot (or fontanelle) looks sunken-in
T
f you gently pinch the skin on the back of the
I
hand, it flattens back down slowly (in a hydrated
child, it should snap back into place)
Early stages of dehydration can have no visible
symptoms at all, so if your child is vomiting or has
diarrhoea, it is important to rehydrate even before
dehydration symptoms become noticeable.
HOW DO I TREAT DEHYDRATION?
For mild dehydration, you should rehydrate using
an oral rehydration solution, available in sachets
from your pharmacy. The sachets can be dissolved
in cooled, boiled water, to improve hydration and
replenish lost electrolytes. (If your child is under
12 months old, consult your GP first).
If your child is very dehydrated, he or she may need
to be admitted to hospital, so that intravenous fluids
can be administered. If you are at all concerned about
your child, contact your GP.
IMPORTANT: Sugary drinks can worsen diarrhoea
and should be avoided, as they can make your
child even more dehydrated.
nurture from eumom.ie