Dehydration is when the body doesn't have enough water. When your child is dehydrated, they need to replace the water, along with salt and sugar. This is called rehydration. Your child can rehydrate by drinking small amounts of fluids often.
1. Things you'll need:
- Fluids for your child to drink. The best fluid for dehydrated kids is an oral rehydration solution, like Pedialyte® and Enfalyte® (and many stores also have a store brand). You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. If you can't get oral rehydration solution, talk to your doctor. Other fluids can help with dehydration. If you breastfeed your child, you may continue. If your child is feeding less than usual, also give the rehydration fluids.
- A small medicine cup, a medicine syringe, or a spoon to give the fluids with.
- A clock, a timer, or another way to keep track of time. You might use the timer on your phone.
- A way to keep track. Tracking on a piece of paper or a note on your phone will work fine.
2. Go slow. Give your child a small amount of fluid every 5 minutes or so and make a note to keep track.
- Babies and toddlers can start with 10 ml (2 teaspoons).
- Older kids can start with 15 ml (1 tablespoon).
3. Set a timer as a reminder to keep going. Some kids might enjoy making it a game. For example, if your child is listening to music, every time they hear the title or chorus or a new song starts, it's time to take a sip.
After your child has gone 2 hours taking sips without vomiting, you can stop using the timer and give them larger amounts of fluid to drink.
4. Be ready for common challenges, like if your child:
- Refuses to drink. If your child refuses a few doses, take a 15- to 20-minute break and try again in a little bit.
- Needs a nap. A short nap is OK. Just wake them up to drink after an hour or so.
- Has vomiting. If your child vomits, take a 15-minute pause before trying sips of fluids again.
Your child is very sleepy or isn't responding to you.
