In babies, dehydration can happen very quickly. Hence the importance of knowing how to recognize the signs of dehydration, and beforehand, to apply the right preventive actions.

At birth, a newborn’s body contains a lot of water: 80% of its body weight, compared to only 60% in adults. However, the human body constantly eliminates water through perspiration, urine, stools and possible vomiting. These water losses must absolutely be compensated by sufficient water intake, otherwise the risk of dehydration lurks: the body lacks water but also mineral salts, essential for its proper functioning. In infants, water loss can be very rapid due to the high proportion of water in their body, and can lead to weight loss of 10 or even 15%. You must therefore be particularly vigilant, and even more so before 6 months.

During the first two years, dehydration most often occurs as a result of diarrhea and vomiting due to gastroenteritis. But the risk of dehydration also exists in the event of extreme heat. Exposed too long in a warm and unventilated place, insufficiently hydrated, the baby indeed risks hypothermia, or “heat stroke”. He is hot, he is red, his body is no longer able to sweat in order to evacuate the heat. 

 Symptoms of dehydration in infants are as follows:

• dry mouth of the tongue;

If the baby is simply thirsty but his behavior remains normal, home treatment is sufficient. The first reflex to have is to rehydrate your baby with a rehydration solution (ORS), a must-have for baby’s first aid kit and changing bag. The sachet is diluted in 200 ml of water, to be offered in a bottle or glass depending on the age of the baby. The baby will accept it better if it is placed in a cool place, this attenuates its taste which is sometimes not appreciated by the little ones. It is recommended to give it several times per hour, gradually increasing the amounts. If the baby is breastfed, ORS should be offered in addition to feedings. If it is bottle-fed, ORS should be offered instead of milk. Milk will be reintroduced after 12 hours, and ORS given between bottles as long as the risk of dehydration persists. 

In parallel, It is recommended to weigh your baby regularly to monitor any possible weight loss, as well as its temperature. The baby’s behavior should also be watched. If his condition does not improve, or even worsens, a consultation is necessary without delay. 

If the dehydration is due to vomiting and / or diarrhea, these causes will of course have to be treated. If the baby has heatstroke, make sure to put it in a cool place and find it. No cool bath, however, the thermal shock would be too great.

If the baby has a fever (38,5 ° C), has been vomiting and having diarrhea for more than 12 hours, urinates less or not often, has dark circles in the eyes, is tired, is too calm or restless, and has lost 10% of your weight or more: this is severe dehydration. It is therefore necessary to consult urgently. Hospitalization is sometimes necessary to rehydrate the baby and keep it under surveillance. 

Because the baby is not old enough to signify that he is thirsty, it’s up to the parent to be “pro-active” in terms of hydration in the event of a risky situation such as extreme heat. 

If the baby is breastfed, it is not recommended to give the baby water in addition to feeds. By replacing a breastfeed, this water intake may decrease the nutritional intake of the baby, but also interfere with lactation. Consisting of 88% water, breast milk is enough to meet the baby’s water needs, as long as one offers him the breast very regularly, even before he asks for it in case of strong heat.

If he takes the bottle, before his 6 months, no water intake is recommended in addition to his usual milk (which can be given at room temperature in case of hot weather). After 6 months, it is advisable to offer him fresh water in small quantities every hour, before bedtime and at night if he wakes up. 

If he tends to fall asleep on the breast, or if he asks for a drink frequently, it may be that he is already starting to be a little dehydrated. It is then possible to offer him not water, but a rehydration solution. 

Finally, it is very important in case to protect the baby from heat, avoiding going out at the hottest hours of the day. In the house, make sure to keep the shutters closed during the day, and to open them with the windows, as soon as the temperatures drop in order to cool the room and renew the indoor air.