Dehydration in infants occurs whenever fluid intake is insufficient to compensate for the loss. The main factors that can cause it are: hot weather, problems with feeding, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. You can try to prevent it by learning about its symptoms, treating certain conditions that can lead to dehydration, and learning when to seek medical attention. Severe dehydration can cause serious health problems in children and can even lead to death.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing Dehydration
Step 1. Know the main causes of dehydration in infants
Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, scorching heat, and an impaired ability to drink or eat are the most common triggers. Diseases such as cystic fibrosis or celiac disease prevent the absorption of food and can lead to dehydration. The signs that indicate the presence of this disorder in children are:
- Sunken eyes
- Reduced frequency of urination;
- Dark colored urine;
- The soft spot on the front of the head (called the fontanel) is sunken;
- Absence of tears when crying
- Mucous tissues (those that line the mouth or tongue) are dry or sticky;
- The child is lethargic (less active than usual);
- He cries inconsolably or expresses discomfort.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration in infants
Many of these cases can be treated at home. However, if they are neglected, they can worsen to severe. Learn to recognize the signs before they get worse:
- The child is not very active;
- Shows a poor sucking reflex;
- He is not interested in feedings;
- Wet fewer diapers than usual
- The skin around the mouth is dry and cracked;
- The mouth and lips are dry.
Step 3. Learn about the symptoms of severe childhood dehydration
In this case, medical intervention is required. If you have a serious fluid deficiency, take your baby to the emergency room immediately. Symptoms include:
- Crying without tears (or with a few drops);
- No wet diapers within 6-8 hours (or less than three in 24 hours) or production of little dark yellow urine;
- Fontanelle and sunken eyes;
- Cold, blotchy hands or feet
- Very dry skin or mucous membranes
- Very rapid breathing;
- Lethargy (low activity) or excessive irritability.
Method 2 of 4: Manage Fluid Administration
Step 1. Offer him more fluids when there are conditions that could lead to dehydration
Overheating and even a higher temperature than usual can cause rapid water loss; fever, diarrhea and vomiting are also responsible for dehydration. In all of these situations, you need to offer the baby other fluids.
- Feed him every half hour instead of every few hours;
- If you are breastfeeding him, encourage him to breastfeed more frequently.
- If you bottle feed it, fill the bottle with smaller portions and increase the frequency of feedings.
Step 2. If your baby is over four months old, supplement your fluid intake with water
If he still does not eat solid foods, do not give him more than 120 ml of water; you can increase the intake, if the baby is already weaned. Dilute fruit juices with water if your child is used to drinking them. You can also give him electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte.
Step 3. Call your pediatrician or nurse if you are breastfeeding your baby and he is unable to breastfeed properly
If he can't feed himself right, dehydration becomes a real risk. The baby's lips should be around the areola of the breast and not just on the nipple. If you hear a loud sucking sound, the baby is not breastfeeding as it should. In this case, professional help is needed to find solutions.
Step 4. Discuss your concerns with your pediatrician if the baby shows no interest in breastfeeding
Write down how many nappies she gets dirty and wet in a day, how much she eats and how often. The doctor will use this information to determine if the child is getting enough fluids.
Method 3 of 4: Preventing Overheating
Step 1. Make sure he is not too hot by gently touching the back of his neck
Direct contact is usually the best way to assess a baby's temperature. If the skin is very hot and sweaty, it means that it is hot. Overheating in infants can cause dehydration.
Step 2. Minimize your baby's exposure to heat
Take it to a cool place to control fluid loss. High ambient temperatures are also related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that newborns exposed to average temperatures of 29 ° C are more than twice as likely to die suddenly as those living in temperatures around 20 ° C.
- Check the temperature of the baby's room with a thermometer;
- Turn on the air conditioner during the summer;
- Do not heat the house too much in winter.
Step 3. Choose blankets or clothes suitable for the outside climate or inside temperature
Do not swaddle the baby with a heavy blanket if the house is already very hot, even if the outside climate is harsh. Overheating caused by too many blankets is related to SIDS.
- Do not swaddle him when he sleeps;
- Dress him in clothes suitable for the climate;
- Avoid heavy fabrics, jackets, fleece hats; also do not wear long-sleeved T-shirts and long trousers during the warm months, unless they are made of light and breathable material;
Step 4. Keep the baby in the shade when taking him outside
This way, you also protect her skin. Buy a stroller with an adjustable sunshade; if you need to go to a very sunny place (for example on the beach) bring an umbrella or similar device. Install blinds on car windows to protect your baby from the sun while you drive.
Method 4 of 4: Keep the Infant Hydrated during Illness
Step 1. Take special care to ensure proper hydration when sick
Infants with fever, diarrhea or vomiting are at increased risk of becoming dehydrated. Increase the frequency with which you offer breast or formula milk. If you tend to vomit, reduce the amount of milk with each feed.
When a baby vomits, increasing the frequency of feedings may also mean giving him clear fluids with a syringe or spoon in 5-10ml doses every five minutes. Your pediatrician will tell you the correct doses and frequency
Step 2. Make sure your baby is ingesting fluids
If the baby has a stuffy nose or sore throat due to the disease, he or she may have difficulty swallowing. In this case, it is necessary to intervene on the obstruction to eliminate it.
- If he does not swallow due to a sore throat, ask your pediatrician about the advisability of giving him painkillers.
- Use saline drops to clear the baby's sinuses and use a bulb syringe to remove the mucus. Ask your doctor to show you how to use these devices correctly and ask for more treatments if you don't notice any improvement or if the baby's health deteriorates.
Step 3. Give him an oral rehydration solution
These products are specifically formulated to rehydrate infants and restore lost water, sugars and minerals. Follow the instructions of the pediatrician, if the baby cannot hold liquids, suffers from persistent diarrhea and vomiting. Alternate breastfeeds with oral rehydration solution if you are breastfeeding your baby. If you use formula milk instead, stop it (along with any other liquid) for the time you administer the rehydration solution.
One of the most common brands of this solution is Pedialyte
Step 4. Take your baby to the emergency room immediately if he is sick and severely dehydrated
In this case, there is a real risk of death. If the fever, diarrhea, and vomiting persist, get worse, or your little one shows symptoms of severe fluid deficiency, take him to the hospital right away.
