Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Early Signs

Call your child's doctor immediately if your child shows any of these signs. Do not wait for the later signs of dehydration.

• Child has not had a wet diaper in six hours (babies usually have six to eight wet diapers in 24 hours)
• Child is less active than normal or is unusually sleepy
• Child's pee is dark yellow and may have a bad smell (like ammonia)
• Child's mouth is dry and sticky
• Child has no tears when crying

Later Signs

• Baby's "soft spot" is sunken
• Child's eyes are sunken
• Child has no energy and is difficult to wake up
• Child has a fever

Call Your Child's Doctor If:

• Your child shows any signs of dehydration
• Your child has green or bloody vomit
• Your child experiences severe stomach pain (babies may be very irritable and cry a lot)
• Vomiting lasts more than six hours

Liquids to Give Your Child

Infants

• Breast milk
• Pedialyte® (do not add water to dilute)
• Formula (do not add water to dilute)

Older Children

• Clear liquids (water, caffeine-free beverages such as Sprite®, or Jell-O®)
• Gatorade® (Check with your child's doctor about other sports drinks. They may not be right for your child.)
• Caffeine-free tea
• Popsicles -- regular or Pedialyte®

How to Give Liquids to Your Child

Infants

• Breastfeed more often and for a shorter amount of time. For example, breastfeed every half hour for 10 minutes on one breast. After 2 or 3 hours, if this is tolerated well, return to your normal breastfeeding schedule.
• If you are bottle feeding, start with Pedialyte®. Give 1 ounce every half hour for 2 or 3 hours. If the baby takes this well, return to normal feedings with regular strength formula, giving only 1-2 ounces at a time. If the infant does not vomit after 8 hours, you can try to resume their normal formula feeding routine.
• If vomiting continues, offer 2 or 3 ounces of Pedialyte® each time the baby vomits. Continue feedings with regular formula or breast milk.

Older Children

• Give liquids often and in small amounts. For example, give one or two ounces every half hour. If your child takes this well, increase the amount a little every half hour. If your child vomits, decrease the amount of liquid for the next feeding and then try to slowly increase the amount again with every feeding after that.
• Slowly advance the diet to a regular diet. Greasy or sugary foods should be added slowly because they may increase stomach upset and vomiting.

Appropriate Foods

• Rice
• Plain crackers
• Chicken
• Noodles
• Potatoes
• Bananas
• Applesauce

Foods to Avoid Until the Vomiting Ends

• Fruit juice
• Kool-Aid®
• Dairy products
• Fried foods

Warning: Do not use any medication for your baby or child unless your child's doctor tells you to. Medications that are good for adults or older children can be dangerous for babies or small children.