Dehydration is something every parent worries about, especially when kids aren’t drinking enough, have a stomach bug, or are playing hard in the heat. But how do you know if your child is truly dehydrated? And at what point should you seek medical care?
Recognizing the early signs of dehydration and knowing how to respond can make a big difference. Here’s what you need to know–how to recognize dehydration, how to help, and when it’s time to seek medical care.
For more visuals, watch the PedsDocTalk YouTube video on dehydration in kids.
What is dehydration?
Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. This can happen when kids aren’t drinking enough, sweat excessively, or from vomiting or diarrhea. In the medical setting, dehydration is assessed by severity:
- Mild (3-5% fluid loss): Your child may be thirstier than usual and have a slightly dry mouth but still act normally. Skin elasticity remains normal– when pinched their skin bounces back quickly. Urine output may be slightly reduced but remains close to their baseline.
- Moderate (6-9% fluid loss): Symptoms become more noticeable–dry mouth, sunken eyes, fewer tears when crying, and decreased energy. Skin elasticity decreases, meaning the skin takes longer to return to normal when pinched. Urine output also decreases and may appear darker.
- Severe (10%+ fluid loss): This is a medical emergency. Signs include extreme tiredness or lethargy, no tears when crying, deeply sunken eyes, very dry skin, fast or shallow breathing, and little to no urine output.
If your child is showing signs of moderate or severe dehydration, contact their pediatrician or seek medical care.
For a visual guide and more details on each stage, watch this PedsDocTalk YouTube video.
How to treat dehydration in kids
The best way to treat dehydration depends on its severity. Mild dehydration can often be managed at home, while moderate or severe dehydration requires medical intervention.
If your child is showing signs of mild dehydration, the goal is to replenish fluids gradually:
- Encourage small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte).
- For infants under 6 months, continue breastfeeding or formula feeding– do not give plain water at this age.
- For babies and toddlers, electrolyte solutions can help restore lost fluids. It’s best to chat with your clinician if it’s needed to decide when your child should be evaluated.
- Make fluids fun– use special cups, silly straws, or even popsicles to encourage drinking.
- Avoid sugary drinks like soda, undiluted juice, or sports drinks, as they can worsen dehydration.
Moderate dehydration warrants a visit to the doctor. If your child is vomiting frequently or refusing fluids, their doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medication (like Zofran) to help them keep fluids down. If oral rehydration isn’t enough, they may receive IV fluids to restore hydration.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention in the Emergency Room. Children with severe dehydration will likely receive IV fluids, lab tests to check electrolyte levels, and close monitoring of vital signs.
When to seek medical attention
In most cases, frequent, small sips of fluids will help your child recover from mild dehydration. However, it’s important to monitor for worsening signs, as some children may need medical intervention, like IV fluids, to fully rehydrate.
Seek medical attention if your child:
- Shows any signs of severe dehydration (lethargy, no urine output, fast breathing, deeply sunken eyes, etc).
- Still appears dehydrated after 3 hours of encouraging fluids
- Is under 1 year old and has been drinking only Pedialyte or an electrolyte solution for 24 hours without taking in breastmilk, formula, or other nutrients.
- Hasn’t progressed to eating food within 3 days after illness.
- Doesn’t seem to be improving or symptoms are worsening
If you’re unsure whether your child needs medical care, call their pediatrician for guidance. When in doubt, it’s always best to check.
Preventing dehydration in kids
Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to dehydration. Encouraging healthy hydration habits can help keep your child well-hydrated, even during illness or hot weather.
Offer fluids regularly– Don’t wait for your child to say they’re thirsty. Offer small amounts of water throughout the day, especially in warm weather or during physical activity. Water is the best choice for older kids, while infants should continue breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Incorporate hydrating foods– Foods like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and yogurt provide extra hydration, especially for kids who don’t love drinking water.
Make drinking water fun– Use colorful cups, silly straws, or ice cubes in fun shapes to encourage water intake.
Encourage hydration before, during, and after activity– Remind kids to drink water before sports or outdoor play and take breaks to sip fluids.
Teach older kids to recognize signs of dehydration– Show them how to check their urine color for hydration (pale yellow is the goal!) and listen to their body’s thirst cues.
Final thoughts
Dehydration is common in kids, but recognizing the signs early can help prevent complications. Most cases of mild dehydration can be managed at home with fluids, but if symptoms worsen or fluids aren’t staying down, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s doctor.
By keeping a close eye on their hydration, offering fluids throughout the day, and knowing when to seek medical care, you can help your child stay healthy and recover quickly when dehydration occurs.
Watch the PedsDocTalk YouTube Video HERE!
