Dehydration Overview And Hydration Recommendations

Dehydration means that your child has lost too much fluid and does not have enough electrolytes (salts) in their body for it to work the right way. There are many ways a child can get dehydrated.

Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are the main causes in babies. Refusing to drink enough due to mouth sores or a bellyache. Not drinking enough in hot weather or when exercising.

Babies and younger children are at greater risk of getting dehydrated. It can be very dangerous for them. Your child will need extra liquids given in smaller amounts and more often at home until they are well. If the liquids are not replaced, they may need to have fluid given directly through a plastic tube into the vein or intravenously (IV) to rehydrate them. Your child does not need that right now. Kinds of Liquids to Give

Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte®. An ORS helps replace the electrolytes and fluids that your child needs.

You can buy ORSs in liquid or powder form or as popsicles at most pharmacies without a prescription. Store brand ORSs work the same as name brands. Do not water down (dilute) or mix an ORS with formula. Offer your child other things to drink. The ORS should not be the only fluid given to them for more than 6 hours. Do not use sports drinks and home remedies instead of an ORS.

If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, you may hold back food and milk for 1 or 2 days until they begin to improve. Breastfeeding should not be stopped.

Liquids for Different Ages

If your child is younger than 1 year of age, give them:

An ORS Breast milk or formula mixed the correct way (see instruction on the box) if they can drink it. Do not give these. They could make your child feel worse. Water – unless it’s used to make formula Teas or broths Fruit juices or drinks that are high in sugar, such as Hawaiian Punch®, Hi-C®, Kool-Aid®, sodas, or syrups

If your child is older than 1 year of age, give them the same as above, and:

Water Jello® Popsicles made from an ORS Milk, if it doesn’t make them sick Clear juices like apple, cranberry, or cranapple

Amount of Liquids

Start slow. Give small amounts of liquid often.

For children under 1 year of age: use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes. For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours. Gradually work up to drinking more.

Measure the amount of liquid your child needs based on their weight. If your child cannot sip from a cup, try to use a teaspoon or a syringe (Picture 1).

Child’s Weight Minimum Goal to Give Every Hour*

7 to 10 lbs. At least 2 ounces (4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup)

11 to 15 lbs. At least 2-1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons)

16 to 20 lbs. At least 3-1/2 ounces (1/2 cup)

21 to 40 lbs. At least 6-1/2 ounces (3/4 cup)

41 to 60 lbs. At least 10 ounces of liquid every hour (1-1/4 cups per hour)

Minimum fluid goals per hour may increase if vomiting, diarrhea, or fever are present.

If your child vomits some, most of the liquid is kept down. Wait for 30 to 60 minutes and try to give small amounts of liquids again. Do not force your child to drink or wake them up to drink if they are sleeping.

When to Call the Doctor Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they are getting worse, do not get any better in 24 hours, will not breastfeed, or show the following:

Does not pee. Urine is very dark.

Newborn (0 to 4 months of age) has less than 6 wet diapers in a day. Child (4 months or older) has less than 3 wet diapers in a day or pees less than 3 times in a day.

Dry or sticky mouth. Hard or fast breathing. No tears when crying. Sunken-looking eyes. Soft spot on baby’s head is flat, sunken, or pulls in. Bellyache (abdominal pain) that will not go away. Hard to wake up (lethargic), acts confused, or does not know what they’re doing. Vomit has blood, dark brown specks that look like coffee grounds, or is bright green. Vomiting or diarrhea is more severe or happens more often. A high fever. Use a digital thermometer and wash it thoroughly after each use.

Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher. Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:

Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above. Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back. That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.

At any age, has a fever and:

Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy. Has a stiff neck, a bad headache, or very sore throat. Has an unusual rash. Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease, cancer, or take medicine that weakens the immune system.

Dehydration means that your child has lost too much fluid and does not have enough electrolytes (salts) in their body for it to work the right way. There are many ways a child can get dehydrated.

Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are the main causes in babies. Refusing to drink enough due to mouth sores or a bellyache. Not drinking enough in hot weather or when exercising.

Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte®. An ORS helps replace the electrolytes and fluids that your child needs.

If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, you may hold back food and milk for 1 or 2 days until they begin to improve. Breastfeeding should not be stopped.

Liquids for Different Ages

If your child is younger than 1 year of age, give them:

If your child is older than 1 year of age, give them the same as above, and:

Water Jello® Popsicles made from an ORS Milk, if it doesn’t make them sick Clear juices like apple, cranberry, or cranapple

Amount of Liquids

Start slow. Give small amounts of liquid often.

Measure the amount of liquid your child needs based on their weight. If your child cannot sip from a cup, try to use a teaspoon or a syringe (Picture 1).

Child’s Weight Minimum Goal to Give Every Hour*

7 to 10 lbs. At least 2 ounces (4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup)

11 to 15 lbs. At least 2-1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons)

16 to 20 lbs. At least 3-1/2 ounces (1/2 cup)

21 to 40 lbs. At least 6-1/2 ounces (3/4 cup)

41 to 60 lbs. At least 10 ounces of liquid every hour (1-1/4 cups per hour)

Minimum fluid goals per hour may increase if vomiting, diarrhea, or fever are present.

When to Call the Doctor Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they are getting worse, do not get any better in 24 hours, will not breastfeed, or show the following:

Does not pee. Urine is very dark.

Newborn (0 to 4 months of age) has less than 6 wet diapers in a day. Child (4 months or older) has less than 3 wet diapers in a day or pees less than 3 times in a day.

Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher. Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:

Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above. Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back. That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.

At any age, has a fever and:

Dehydration means that your child has lost too much fluid and does not have enough electrolytes (salts) in their body for it to work the right way. There are many ways a child can get dehydrated.

Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are the main causes in babies. Refusing to drink enough due to mouth sores or a bellyache. Not drinking enough in hot weather or when exercising.

Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte®. An ORS helps replace the electrolytes and fluids that your child needs.

If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, you may hold back food and milk for 1 or 2 days until they begin to improve. Breastfeeding should not be stopped.

Liquids for Different Ages

If your child is younger than 1 year of age, give them:

If your child is older than 1 year of age, give them the same as above, and:

Water Jello® Popsicles made from an ORS Milk, if it doesn’t make them sick Clear juices like apple, cranberry, or cranapple

Amount of Liquids

Start slow. Give small amounts of liquid often.

Measure the amount of liquid your child needs based on their weight. If your child cannot sip from a cup, try to use a teaspoon or a syringe (Picture 1).

Child’s Weight Minimum Goal to Give Every Hour*

7 to 10 lbs. At least 2 ounces (4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup)

11 to 15 lbs. At least 2-1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons)

16 to 20 lbs. At least 3-1/2 ounces (1/2 cup)

21 to 40 lbs. At least 6-1/2 ounces (3/4 cup)

41 to 60 lbs. At least 10 ounces of liquid every hour (1-1/4 cups per hour)

Minimum fluid goals per hour may increase if vomiting, diarrhea, or fever are present.

When to Call the Doctor Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they are getting worse, do not get any better in 24 hours, will not breastfeed, or show the following:

Does not pee. Urine is very dark.

Newborn (0 to 4 months of age) has less than 6 wet diapers in a day. Child (4 months or older) has less than 3 wet diapers in a day or pees less than 3 times in a day.

Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher. Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:

Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above. Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back. That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.

At any age, has a fever and:

Dehydration means that your child has lost too much fluid and does not have enough electrolytes (salts) in their body for it to work the right way. There are many ways a child can get dehydrated.

Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are the main causes in babies.
Refusing to drink enough due to mouth sores or a bellyache.
Not drinking enough in hot weather or when exercising.

If the liquids are not replaced, they may need to have fluid given directly through a plastic tube into the vein or intravenously (IV) to rehydrate them. Your child does not need that right now.

Kinds of Liquids to Give

Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte®. An
ORS helps replace the electrolytes and fluids that your child needs.
You can buy ORSs in liquid or powder form or as popsicles at most pharmacies without a prescription. Store brand ORSs work the same as name brands.
Do not water down (dilute) or mix an ORS with formula.
Offer your child other things to drink. The ORS should not be the only fluid given to them for more than 6 hours.
Do not use sports drinks and home remedies instead of an ORS.
If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, you may hold back food and milk for 1 or 2
days until they begin to improve. Breastfeeding should not be stopped.

Liquids for Different Ages

If your child is younger than 1 year of age, give them:
An ORS
Breast milk or formula mixed the correct way (see instruction on the box) if they can drink it.
Do not give these. They could make your child feel worse.
Water – unless it’s used to make formula
Teas or broths
Fruit juices or drinks that are high in sugar, such as Hawaiian Punch®, Hi-C®, Kool-Aid®, sodas, or syrups
If your child is older than 1 year of age, give them the same as above, and:
Water
Jello®
Popsicles made from an ORS
Milk, if it doesn’t make them sick
Clear juices like apple, cranberry, or cranapple

Amount of Liquids

Start slow. Give small amounts of liquid often.
For children under 1 year of age: use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes.
For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours. Gradually work up to drinking more.
Measure the amount of liquid your child needs based on their weight. If your child cannot sip from a cup, try to use a teaspoon or a syringe (Picture 1).

Minimum fluid goals per hour may increase if vomiting, diarrhea, or fever are present.

You can buy ORSs in liquid or powder form or as popsicles at most pharmacies without a prescription. Store brand ORSs work the same as name brands.
Do not water down (dilute) or mix an ORS with formula.
Offer your child other things to drink. The ORS should not be the only fluid given to them for more than 6 hours.
Do not use sports drinks and home remedies instead of an ORS.
An ORS
Breast milk or formula mixed the correct way (see instruction on the box) if they can drink it.
Do not give these. They could make your child feel worse.
Water – unless it’s used to make formula
Teas or broths
Fruit juices or drinks that are high in sugar, such as Hawaiian Punch®, Hi-C®, Kool-Aid®, sodas, or syrups
Water
Jello®
Popsicles made from an ORS
Milk, if it doesn’t make them sick
Clear juices like apple, cranberry, or cranapple
For children under 1 year of age: use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes.
For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours. Gradually work up to drinking more.
If your child vomits some, most of the liquid is kept down. Wait for 30 to 60 minutes and try to give small amounts of liquids again.
Do not force your child to drink or wake them up to drink if they are sleeping.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they are getting worse, do not get any better in 24 hours, will not breastfeed, or show the following:

Does not pee.
Urine is very dark.
Newborn (0 to 4 months of age) has less than 6 wet diapers in a day.
Child (4 months or older) has less than 3 wet diapers in a day or pees less than 3 times in a day.
Dry or sticky mouth.
Hard or fast breathing.
No tears when crying.
Sunken-looking eyes.
Soft spot on baby’s head is flat, sunken, or pulls in.
Bellyache (abdominal pain) that will not go away.
Hard to wake up (lethargic), acts confused, or does not know what they’re doing.
Vomit has blood, dark brown specks that look like coffee grounds, or is bright green.
Vomiting or diarrhea is more severe or happens more often.
A high fever. Use a digital thermometer and wash it thoroughly after each use.
Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher.
Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:
Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above.
Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back.
That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.
At any age, has a fever and:
Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy.
Has a stiff neck, a bad headache, or very sore throat.
Has an unusual rash.
Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease, cancer, or take medicine that weakens the immune system.

Dehydration: Giving Liquids at Home (PDF), Spanish (PDF), Somali (PDF)

Newborn (0 to 4 months of age) has less than 6 wet diapers in a day.
Child (4 months or older) has less than 3 wet diapers in a day or pees less than 3 times in a day.
Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher.
Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:
Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above.
Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back.
That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.
At any age, has a fever and:
Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy.
Has a stiff neck, a bad headache, or very sore throat.
Has an unusual rash.
Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease, cancer, or take medicine that weakens the immune system.
Of 104ºF (40ºC) or above.
Above 102ºF (38.9ºC) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back.
That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.
Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy.
Has a stiff neck, a bad headache, or very sore throat.
Has an unusual rash.
Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease, cancer, or take medicine that weakens the immune system.

Kinds of Liquids to Give#

Liquids for Different Ages#

Amount of Liquids#

#

When to Call the Doctor#

Kinds of Liquids to Give

Liquids for Different Ages

Amount of Liquids

When to Call the Doctor