Babies are especially vulnerable to high temperatures. Due to its physiology, the percentage of water in your body is greater than that of an adult (around 80%) and your balance is much weaker, increasing the risk of dehydration, that is, an excessive loss of body fluid.
Heat is one of the main causes of dehydration, but it can also occur when the baby has been with diarrhea or continued vomiting. We tell you how to recognize dehydration symptoms in the baby.
Sunken Fontanelles
If the fontanelles, soft areas of the baby's skull look sunk or depressed, more than usual, we should suspect dehydration.
We must take him to the doctor to assess him and seek help if the mother is breastfeeding. Most likely, before dehydration, serum will be administered and the frequency of the shots should be increased.
In Babies and more Summer and children: seven keys to survive the heat these days of hellIt pees less than usual
Yes baby it wets less diapers than it usually wets in a dayIt is also a sign of possible dehydration. Little urine and urine is usually darker in color and has a more intense smell than usual. You can spend several hours without peeing.
When the baby wets the diaper a little, it may be because he has taken less breast than he would have (it may be because he is sick, upset, because he has not been offered frequently ...), because he has sweated more than usual if it is hot or because he has fever.
Then, you have to make sure that you take enough food to stay hydrated, offer more breast or bottle (especially in summer, sweat more) and if you have started complementary water and water-rich foods, such as fruits.
You can also notice what it does harder and drier bowel movements usual. It is another symptom of dehydration.
Mouth with dry lips and tongue
You will notice your baby's tongue rough and dry, as well as lips. The eyes and skin also dry out. When the skin is clamped between the fingers it does not return to its original form. The skin tone becomes pale, it can even turn grayish.
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Drowsiness and irritability
Baby can show less active than usual, sleepy and apathetic. He barely has the strength to move, he is lethargic.
Although on the contrary, it can also be irritable, cry inconsolably, show signs of hunger and never be satisfied. Another curiosity is that a dehydrated baby cries without tears.
Weightloss
Cases of mild dehydration are checked by weighing the baby, who suffers a loss of about 5% of your weight. As we mentioned before, 80% of the baby's body is composed of water and a loss of body fluids implies a significant weight loss.
What to do if you think your baby is dehydrated?
It is important that you assess the general condition of your baby and if you think he has dehydration symptoms go to the doctor. Babies can become dehydrated very quickly due to their poor physiological balance, so if the symptoms are severe It is important that you go to the doctor quickly.
For your part, what you can do to keep your baby well hydrated is increase the shots If the baby is breastfed, especially in summer. If you have less than six months do not need extra water, since through it you receive all the water and nutrients you need to avoid dehydration.
If you take a bottle, just like your chest, it must also be given on demand, so you can drink the water you need through milk. The bottle may not run out but take more times a day.
If you have started complementary feeding, you can offer water in a bottle and moisturizing foods such as fruits and vegetables.
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