Babies and children are more at risk of dehydration than adults. Dehydration in young children is common. It can be serious if it's not dealt with quickly.
Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids, such as milk or water, every day. This is especially important if your child is under 5 or is sick.
Symptoms of dehydration in babies and children
Symptoms of dehydration in babies and children are similar to symptoms of dehydration in adults.
Thirst is one of the earliest signs. If your child is thirsty, give them a drink.
Other signs include:
- complaining of a headache
- fewer wet nappies than usual
- their wet nappies may not feel as heavy (or be as wet) as usual
- less energetic or responsive than usual
- dark yellow pee
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if
you think your child is dehydrated and they:
- are under 6 months old
- have a medical condition that increases their risk of dehydration, such as diabetes
- are not improving after you give them more fluids
- start showing signs that they need urgent medical help
Urgent advice: Take your child to a GP or emergency department (ED) urgently if they:
- seem drowsy (hard to wake)
- are breathing fast
- have few or no tears when they cry
- have a sunken soft spot on top of their head (fontanelle)
- have a dry mouth
- have not peed in the last 12 hours
- are pale
- have less energy than usual
- have fewer than 3 wet nappies per day
- seem confused
Causes of dehydration in babies and children
Dehydration can happen more easily in babies and children if they:
- have a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
- are not drinking enough fluids
- have a chest infection - this can make it hard for babies and small children to drink or feed
- are vomiting or have diarrhoea
- have sweated a lot
- are out in very hot weather
Reduce the risk of dehydration in babies and children
Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids every day. This is especially important if your child is under 5 or is sick.
The amount of fluid your child needs depends on:
- how old they are
- how active they are
- how hot the weather is
Most children age 1 to 4 years need 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day - water is best.
Drinks for children age 1 to 4 years
Babies
Your baby should feed 8 to 12 times or more every 24 hours during the first few weeks of breastfeeding.
Babies will breastfeed less often and sleep for longer as they get older.
If your baby is formula-fed, they should feed at least 6 to 8 times a day in the first 3 months. Then 4 to 6 times a day for the following 3 months.
How much formula your baby needs
Drinks for babies 0 to 12 months
Treating dehydration in babies and children
If your child is over 6 months, you can usually care for them at home.
If you are worried about them, get advice from your GP or pharmacist.
Do
-
continue breastfeeding or using formula - try to give small amounts more often than usual
-
give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water - use cooled boiled water if they are under 12 months
-
give young children their usual diet and more fluid to drink
-
give small sips of rehydration solution often to replace lost fluids, salts and sugars - ask your pharmacist to recommend one
-
give your child fluids that have some sugar if they are not eating, for example fruit juice or a soft drink (not a sugar-free version)
Don't
-
do not make formula weaker by watering it down
-
do not give your child sports drinks - the caffeine in these drinks can be dangerous for children
Once your child's dehydration has been treated, they will need to keep drinking fluids regularly.
If your child has severe dehydration
Your GP will tell you if your baby or child is severely dehydrated.
If your baby or child is severely dehydrated they may need to go to hospital for treatment and stay overnight.
In hospital, a drip may be placed into a vein in your child's arm, hand or foot to give them fluids. Sometimes, a feeding tube is placed in your child’s tummy.
