How to Spot Signs of Dehydration in Babies and Young Kids

Learn what to look for if you suspect your young child may be dehydrated, and what to do if they are.

Dehydration happens when a person has not had enough fluid and salt for their body to run properly. Anyone can become dehydrated, but it is most common in young children. And the most common causes of dehydration in kids are diarrhea and vomiting, both of which can quickly deplete the body of necessary fluids.

toddler drinking a glass of water

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Preventing Dehydration

While babies under 6 months should get all of their hydration from breast milk or infant formula, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that older kids drink an appropriate amount of water each day to stay healthy. Hydration is especially important when your child is engaged in physical activity or has a fever or illness. When considering drink options for your child, it is best to avoid soft drinks, sports drinks, and juices in favor of water whenever possible.

Here is the approximate amount of fluid your child needs every day based on their age.

  • Babies under 6 months receive the hydration they need exclusively from breast milk or formula; no additional water is needed.
  • Babies 6 months to 1 year old can have 4 to 8 ounces of water daily (in addition to breast milk or formula and solid foods).
  • Children 1 year to 3 years old need 4 cups of water or milk each day.
  • Children 4 to 8 years old need 5 cups of water or fluids each day.
  • Children older than 8 need 7 to 8 cups of fluids each day.

Since the body can lose fluids quickly and easily while fighting a fever or illness, it is important to check with your doctor about the appropriate amounts of fluids to give your child to prevent dehydration when they're sick. If you suspect dehydration, carefully monitor your child's urine output, and contact their doctor with any concerns.

Symptoms and Signs of Dehydration in Kids

Your child likely won't be able to tell you that they're dehydrated so it's up to you to look out for the signs.

Illustration of dehydration symptoms n babies and kids

Illustration by Yurle Villegas for Parents

Fewer wet diapers

When a person is dehydrated, they pass less urine. In infants and toddlers, persistently dry diapers are a telltale sign of dehydration. If your baby is younger than 6 months and produces little to no urine in 4 to 6 hours, or if your toddler produces little to no urine in 6 to 8 hours, they may be dehydrated.

Also be on the lookout for urine that is especially dark and concentrated, which can be an early sign of fluid loss.

Loss of energy

Dehydration can also cause lethargy, listlessness, lack of concentration, fussiness, and paleness in young kids. Your child may not want to play or be active, be prone to crying, or just want to sleep, even if the sleep is restless.

Thirst and dryness

Thirst and dryness in the mucus membranes of the lips, tongue, and mouth are other possible signs of dehydration. In extreme cases, dehydrated children may lose their thirst mechanism and will not want to drink at all.

Sunken eyes

Dry skin and dark circles under the eyes appear after a few days of dehydration. The eyes can also appear slightly sunken. In infants younger than 1 year, the fontanel (the soft spot on the front top part of the head) may appear sunken in or flatter than normal.

Changes in breathing

Rapid breathing and a weak but rapid pulse can indicate severe dehydration. The child will also have less awareness of their surroundings or will not be alert. Their lips and mouth will look very dry, and the skin may be doughy and wrinkled. Call 911 immediately if you notice these signs.

How to Treat Dehydration in Kids

Depending on what is causing dehydration and your child's age, there are different approaches for treating mild symptoms. Seek medical attention if your child has had a dry diaper for eight hours, is lethargic, or has vomiting or diarrhea that is getting worse and not better.

Breast milk or formula

Babies who are breastfed can continue taking breast milk, but should be breastfed more often than normal (every 1 to 2 hours) and given smaller amounts (think 5 to 10 minutes at a time). You can also pump and give the child breast milk by spoon, cup, or bottle. Infants who are formula-fed can continue taking regular, full-strength formula. (It's extremely important to always mix the formula according to package instructions.)

Water and popsicles

If your child is older than 1, be sure to give them plenty to drink but in small amounts. If your child is vomiting, wait 30 to 60 minutes after an episode of vomiting before giving them anything to drink. Give them a teaspoonful of fluid or a little sip every two to three minutes.

Popsicles are a great way to get fluids in your child at an even pace so as not to further upset their stomach. For babies 6 months or older, try putting a popsicle or ice cube in a mesh teether to prevent choking in addition to offering breast milk or formula. Look for popsicles with low sugar content since sugar can contribute to vomiting.

Older children can be given frozen popsicles made from oral rehydration solutions. If your child is older than 6 months and does not like the taste of plain or unflavored Pedialyte, add half a teaspoonful of apple juice to each dose. If your child has diarrhea, however, avoid fruit juices and soft drinks because they have a high sugar content that can make diarrhea worse. If your child is vomiting but doesn't have diarrhea, they may drink small amounts of clear fluids.

Oral rehydration solutions

If your pediatrician recommends it, you can give your infant one of several specially prepared oral rehydration solutions (such as Pedialyte, Ricelyte, or Kao Lectrolyte) in addition to breast milk or formula. These products help to replace the fluids and salts lost through diarrhea and vomiting, and they're available in a variety of flavors.

Be careful when giving plain water or watered-down juice, breast milk, formula, or electrolyte solution to a baby who is less than 1 year old because this could create dangerous imbalances. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment.

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