Understanding Dehydration
What is it? Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Kids are more at risk—especially during illness, hot weather, or intense activity.
Common Types
- Heat-related: Fluid loss from sweating during hot weather or activity.
- Illness-related: From vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's Dehydration at home when:
- Mild symptoms: slightly less active, mildly dry lips, slightly less urine
- Drinking small amounts
- No fever >102°F, severe vomiting, or blood in stool/vomit
- Child is alert and responsive
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for Dehydration:
General Rule:
- Give small, frequent sips — helps the body absorb fluids without making symptoms worse.
Heat / High Activity:
- Water for older kids.
- If sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea: use Pedialyte (infants and younger kids) or Gatorade (older kids).
- Breastfed infants: nurse often for short intervals.
- Encourage fluids before/after play.
- Take shade breaks in hot weather.
Vomiting / Diarrhea Rehydration:
- Pedialyte (infants and younger kids) or Gatorade (older kids).
- Formula-fed infants: 1–2 tsp every 5 min → double after 2 hrs if no vomiting → return to formula after 4 hrs.
- Breastfed infants: Nurse briefly every 30–60 min; if vomiting, give pumped milk (1–2 tsp every 5 min) until improved.
- Kids >1 yr: 2–3 tsp every 5 min → increase after 4 hrs → normal fluids after 8 hrs.
Avoid: Juice, soda — can worsen diarrhea.
Hygiene: Wash hands and clean surfaces often to prevent spreading illness.
Safe Medications
- No medicine treats dehydration- fluids are key.
- For fever/discomfort: acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, if >6 mo).
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us again when:
- Symptoms aren’t improving after 24 hours of home care
- Your child refuses to drink or vomits everything they drink
- Fewer than 3 wet diapers in 24 hrs (infants) or urinating only 1–2 times/day (older kids)
- Fever over 102°F or new/worsening symptoms
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Mild dehydration not better after a day
- Recurrent vomiting/diarrhea
- Persistent fever, new rash, or unusual irritability
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care if your child is:
- Very drowsy, hard to wake, or inconsolable
- No urine output or only 1–2 very small urinations/24 hrs
- Green (bilious) or bloody vomit
- Bloody diarrhea
- Infant with a sunken soft spot (fontanelle)
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
