A baby’s small body can’t store a lot of fluids, so dehydration can happen quickly. It’s important to know the signs in your baby so you can recognize dehydration and keep your baby safe. babies safe, since otherwise the consequences could be fatal. If your baby sleeps, eats, and has a dirty diaper, then all is well, babies’ stomachs are small compared to children and adults, and they hold less fluid in their bodies.

Babies can get all the fluids they need from regular feedings, but if your baby is exposed to extreme temperatures or You lose fluids due to vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating, so dirty diapers can mean you will quickly become dehydrated. It is very important to recognize the signs of dehydration, to prevent it.

How much liquid does your baby need

Until the baby is five to six months old – when begins to eat solid foods -, the little one receives all the necessary liquids and nutrients only from breast milk or formula. This means that there is no need to give water or juice to keep the baby hydrated, even if it is too hot.

Once the baby begins to take solids, small amounts of liquids should come from from other sources such as natural fruit juice, vegetables, fruits with lots of water, and of course also sips of water. As the amount of formula or breast milk begins to decrease, it is important to ensure that the intake baby’s total fluids is adequate. Also, if you are in a hot climate your water intake should be increased.

Prevent dehydration

When it is hot outside, the most important step to prevent is dehydration in your baby, you must protect him from extreme weather conditions, which means that you limit the amount of exposure to the sun, dress him in suitable clothing -breathable- and take care to give him enough water.

Another likely setting for dehydration in babies is when they are sick. Your baby can lose a lot of fluids—and very quickly—if he’s vomiting, has diarrhea, or refuses to eat because of any sore throat or mouth.

In general, these symptoms are usually caused by a virus and it is necessary to go to the pediatrician to be able to assess the health status of the baby and also, it is very important to keep up with the child’s visits and vaccinations healthy with your child, since there is a vaccine for rotavirus -one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea in babies and young children-.

Signs of dehydration in babies

If your baby is vomiting, has diarrhea, has some sort of virus, or is hot, watch carefully for signs of dehydration. You should call the doctor within twelve hours if you notice any of these signs in your baby:

• Has less than six wet diapers in less than 24 hours or is dry for two to three hours – he would be peeing less than usual-.
• Your urine is darker in color or more concentrated.
• You have chapped lips or dry mucous membranes.
• He cries and has no tears.
• Skin appears dry and less elastic.
• He has sunken eyes.
• He is listless.
• Has a sunken fontanel.

In extreme cases, babies need immediate treatment and may require rehydration with intravenous fluids. It is necessary to go to the doctor or to the emergency room immediately. immediately if you notice that your baby is dehydrated, if you notice that he is irritable -more than usual-, if he has cold hands and feet, if he has dry mucous membranes -dry mouth, chapped lips, dryness in the eyes, etc-.