Dehydration in infants is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body does not replenish the fluids it expels. Regular daily activities cause the body to lose water through sweat, urine, tears and basic bodily and cellular functions like respiration, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Illness and hot weather can also cause dehydration. Signs of dehydration include thirst or fussiness, a lack of wet diapers for six hours or more, sunken eyes, crying without tears, a sunken soft spot on the infant’s head and lethargy. If you are worried that your infant is dehydrated, consult a physician immediately.
Milk or Formula
Most infants stay hydrated by drinking breastmilk or formula multiple times each day. To prevent hunger and dehydration, your exclusively breast- or formula-fed baby should drink 2.5 oz. per pound of body weight for every 24-hour period, according to Baby Center. Newborn babies often eat 1 to 4 oz. every one to two hours. Older babies begin gradually decreasing the frequency of feedings while simply eating more at each feeding. Breastmilk and formula are adequate dehydration prevention drinks when exclusively breast- or bottle-fed. Cow’s milk should not be introduced until the infant’s first birthday, when babies develop the digestive maturity to digest cow’s milk.
Water
If your infant is beginning to eat solid foods or if the weather is excessively hot, you can introduce water to help prevent dehydration. If you are still exclusively bottle-feeding or breast-feeding your infant, give him no more than 4 oz. of water. If you give more, you risk your infant filling up on water and not taking in enough of the nutrients and calories in breastmilk or formula. If your baby has started solids, you can give him more than 4 oz. of water, while still being cautious not to allow him to drink enough to feel full.
Electrolyte Liquids
Electrolyte liquids made for infants can be found at pharmacies and other grocery stores. If your baby is already starting to show signs of dehydration or has an illness that could lead to dehydration, your doctor may advise you to begin giving him an electrolyte liquid. Parents should also give their infants breastmilk or formula in addition to the electrolyte drink so that she gets the nutrition her body needs to fight illness or to simply get the calories she needs to grow and develop.
Broth and Popsicles
If your infant is old enough, isn’t drinking breastmilk or formula anymore and doesn’t want to drink water, try giving him clear liquids such as vegetable or chicken broth. These are water-based liquids that have a heartier and more interesting taste than water but can also hydrate him. Diluted fruit juices for the older infant may also be a way to prevent dehydration. Real-fruit popsicles can also prevent dehydration in an infant that is sick and not taking any other liquids, according to the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
