Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Physical Signs
Minor vs. Severe Signs
Monitoring Rehydration
Dehydration happens when babies lose more fluids than they drink. Babies are more prone to dehydration because they need more fluids and lose them faster than adults. Illnesses such as stomach bugs that cause fever, diarrhea, or vomiting increase the risk.
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Dehydration and BreastfeedingDehydration in breastfed babies can result from:Infrequent feedings (less than eight to 12 times a day)Latching problemsLip tieLow milk supplyTongue tie
Dehydration and Breastfeeding
Dehydration in breastfed babies can result from:Infrequent feedings (less than eight to 12 times a day)Latching problemsLip tieLow milk supplyTongue tie
Dehydration in breastfed babies can result from:
Oral Symptoms
Oral symptoms of dehydration in babies include:
Mood and Behavior Changes
Dehydration can result in mood and behavior changes like:
Does Dehydration Cause Sleepiness in Babies?
Skin
Urine (Pee) Signs
Urinary signs of dehydration include:
Stool (Poop) Signs
Expected Diaper Changes for BabiesIn the first few days of life, expect one or two wet diapers and one to three dirty diapers daily. From day four onward, expect six to eight wet diapers and three to six dirty diapers daily.
Expected Diaper Changes for Babies
In the first few days of life, expect one or two wet diapers and one to three dirty diapers daily. From day four onward, expect six to eight wet diapers and three to six dirty diapers daily.
Eye Symptoms
Sunken Fontanel
Other Symptoms
Additional signs of dehydration include:
Recognizing Dehydration Symptoms: Key Signs to Watch Out For
Which Dehydration Signs Are Minor vs. Severe?
Minor Signs
Minor signs of dehydration that you may be able to treat at home include:
Moderate Signs
Signs of moderate dehydration include:
For moderate or worsening symptoms, go to urgent care if your provider isn’t available.
Poor Skin Turgor
Severe Signs
Severe symptoms of dehydration include:
Seek emergency medical help immediately for severe symptoms.
At Home
ORS should complement, not replace, breast milk or formula. Avoid water for babies under six months. Water can be given in small amounts for babies over 6 months, but breast milk or formula should remain their primary fluid.
Regardless of whether your newborn is breastfed or bottle-fed, signs they are getting enough milk include:
At a Medical Facility
How Dehydration Is Recognized and Treated Clinically
Summary
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Choose water for healthy hydration.Hockenberry MJ, Wilson D, Rodgers CC.The child with fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In:Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing - E-Book.Elsevier Health Sciences;2021:739-760.Piccolo O, Kinshella MW, Salimu S, et al.Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi.Int Breastfeed J. 2022;17(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13006-022-00460-1Merck Manual Consumer Version.Dehydration in children.Merck Manual Professional Version.Dehydration in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Newborn breastfeeding basics.American Academy of Pediatrics.Signs of dehydration in infants & children.Tsegaye AT, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, Tickell KD.The diagnosis and management of dehydration in children with wasting or nutritional edema: A systematic review.PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023;3(11):e0002520. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0002520American Academy of Pediatrics.Fever: When to call the pediatrician.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Choose water for healthy hydration.Hockenberry MJ, Wilson D, Rodgers CC.The child with fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In:Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing - E-Book.Elsevier Health Sciences;2021:739-760.Piccolo O, Kinshella MW, Salimu S, et al.Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi.Int Breastfeed J. 2022;17(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13006-022-00460-1Merck Manual Consumer Version.Dehydration in children.Merck Manual Professional Version.Dehydration in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Newborn breastfeeding basics.American Academy of Pediatrics.Signs of dehydration in infants & children.Tsegaye AT, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, Tickell KD.The diagnosis and management of dehydration in children with wasting or nutritional edema: A systematic review.PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023;3(11):e0002520. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0002520American Academy of Pediatrics.Fever: When to call the pediatrician.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Choose water for healthy hydration.Hockenberry MJ, Wilson D, Rodgers CC.The child with fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In:Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing - E-Book.Elsevier Health Sciences;2021:739-760.Piccolo O, Kinshella MW, Salimu S, et al.Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi.Int Breastfeed J. 2022;17(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13006-022-00460-1Merck Manual Consumer Version.Dehydration in children.Merck Manual Professional Version.Dehydration in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Newborn breastfeeding basics.American Academy of Pediatrics.Signs of dehydration in infants & children.Tsegaye AT, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, Tickell KD.The diagnosis and management of dehydration in children with wasting or nutritional edema: A systematic review.PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023;3(11):e0002520. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0002520American Academy of Pediatrics.Fever: When to call the pediatrician.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Choose water for healthy hydration.
Hockenberry MJ, Wilson D, Rodgers CC.The child with fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In:Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing - E-Book.Elsevier Health Sciences;2021:739-760.
Piccolo O, Kinshella MW, Salimu S, et al.Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi.Int Breastfeed J. 2022;17(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13006-022-00460-1
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Dehydration in children.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Dehydration in children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Newborn breastfeeding basics.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Signs of dehydration in infants & children.
Tsegaye AT, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, Tickell KD.The diagnosis and management of dehydration in children with wasting or nutritional edema: A systematic review.PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023;3(11):e0002520. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0002520
American Academy of Pediatrics.Fever: When to call the pediatrician.
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