Dehydration happens 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. The best liquid to give your child for rehydration is an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte®, Enfalyte®, or a store brand). You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets.
Follow the instructions below to rehydrate your child. You will be able to tell that they are getting enough liquids if they:
- Have a moist mouth
- Are peeing at least every 6–8 hours and the pee is light yellow
- Have plenty of tears if they cry
Things you'll need:
- An oral rehydration solution.
- A small medicine cup, a medicine syringe, a spoon, a cup and straw, or a cup. Use whichever device works best for your child.
- 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 of when you give the oral rehydration solution and how much you give. Tracking on a piece of paper or a note on your phone will work fine.
Go slow. Give your child liquids every 5 minutes or so.
- Start with 5–10 ml (1–2 teaspoons) of the oral rehydration solution.
- For babies who are not vomiting, continue giving them their usual breast milk or formula unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
- For older kids who aren't vomiting, you can continue to offer them their usual drinks unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
- After 1 hour, if your child is taking the liquids and not vomiting, increase the amount to 15–20 mL (3–4 teaspoons) at a time. (Babies may not be able to take the full 20 mL and that's OK as long as they are taking some liquids every few minutes.)
- Continue to give the oral rehydration solution every 5 minutes for the next hour or two until your child is peeing as usual.
- Once your child is peeing as usual (and isn't vomiting), you can stop the timer and let them slowly build up to their usual liquids. Keep encouraging them to drink.
- If your child vomits, start over with 5–10 ml (1–2 teaspoons) of the oral rehydration solution every 5 minutes or so . Call your healthcare provider for guidance.
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.
If your child continues to drink well, isn't vomiting, and doesn't have any signs of dehydration, you can give less and then stop the oral electrolyte solution. Help them slowly go back to eating their regular foods too.
Be ready for common challenges. These might be if your child:
- Refuses to drink. If your child refuses to drink, take a 15- to 20-minute break and try again. If they won't take anything to drink for more than a few hours, call your healthcare provider for guidance.
- Doesn't like the oral rehydration solution. You can try watered-down juice or plain water, but check with your healthcare provider first. Don't give sports drinks, soda, or full-strength (undiluted) juice. They have too much sugar and can make some symptoms worse.
- Needs a nap. A short nap is OK. Just wake them up to drink after an hour or so.
Your child:
- Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, extreme thirst, less pee than usual, darker pee than usual, little or no tears when crying, or decreased alertness
- Is vomiting again and again, has vomit that's bright green, red, or brown, or has forceful vomiting
You know your child best. If they seem very sick or have symptoms that worry you, call your healthcare provider or take them to the ER.
How do oral electrolyte solutions help keep someone hydrated? These solutions contain a balanced mix of water, electrolytes (sodium, chloride, and potassium), and sugars (glucose). They give someone the fluids they need and replace the liquids and electrolytes that are lost through diarrhea or vomiting. This helps prevent or treat dehydration and keep the body's electrolytes balanced.
Is dehydration dangerous? Mild dehydration in healthy children usually isn't dangerous. But dehydration that gets more severe can cause the body to shut down and can even become life-threatening.
