Once you hold your little one after nine long months of waiting, you would expect your baby to be born and live a healthy life. A small change in your baby’s health – maybe skin rashes, diarrhea, etc., would be irritating for him and you.
Dehydration of your newborn baby is one such problem. Dehydration in babies is when they have lost too much water through sweat, pee, poop, crying, low breast milk supply, newborn not latching properly, etc. In general, the little one loses a lot of fluid and salt from the body and cannot take in more.
So, as new parents, how can you recognize the signs of dehydration and how can you treat it?
How will you recognize dehydration in the baby?
Since your baby’s only way to communicate with you is through crying, you’ll likely look for signs of dehydration by seeing if:
There are fewer wet diapers
You can expect your newborn to wet their diapers at least four to six times a day. If your newborn is urinating less than you expect – perhaps urinating less or not at all in 4 to 6 hours or 6 to 8 hours a day – he may be dehydrated. Along with fewer wet diapers, you should also find out if the urine is dark, smelly, or concentrated.
Feeling thirsty
Usually, he drinks a lot of water and urinates a lot. But, perhaps due to a stomach infection, diarrhea and vomiting, a lot of fluid comes out of the little one’s body, making him thirsty. Therefore, dry lips and a dry mouth, tongue and throat are symptoms of dehydration.
Fatigue and Irritability
If you notice that your baby is sleepy, fussy or unusually tired, these may be signs of dehydration. Lack of energy and increased irritability can also be indicators. In severe cases, a dehydrated baby may refuse water.
Sunken eyes
Since your little one is dehydrated and trying to adjust, dark circles may appear under the eyes. You will notice that those sweet baby eyes have turned pale, tears are missing and they look sunken.
Changes in breathing patterns
Since your baby’s lips and mouth feel dry, tired, exhausted and without energy, there are chances that you will notice changes in his breathing pattern. Your baby has a faster heart rate than usual.
If you notice these signs in your little one, it is necessary to either take the child to the doctor or treat it medically or with natural remedies.
How to stop dehydration in babies?
His signs dehydration And side effects are important health factors for your newborn that you should be concerned about. As a new mom, remember that your little one needs more nutrition and calories during this time, up to at least 6 months. Drinking water can reduce calorie intake. Well, here are some things you should do to stop dehydration in your babies:
Breastfeeding or formula more than usual
Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between you and your newborn. Therefore, you should feed your newborn 8 to 12 times a day for at least a month. If your newborn isn’t latching on properly and is showing signs of dehydration, increase the number of times you feed your little one. Try to feed the dehydrated newborn at regular intervals – after every 1 to 2 hours. If you are formula feeding, give the milk with a bottle, spoon or cup. You can also gently feed the baby with a sterile dropper.
Make your newborn wear light, cotton and breathable clothes
Since dehydration in babies includes diarrhea, vomiting, sweating (especially at night), fever, etc., dress in light, breathable, comfortable, cotton fabric.
Shade your little one from the sun
Because heat and sweat are some of the causes of dehydration, be careful when going out with your baby. If your little one goes outside with you and is exposed to the sun (perhaps a sweaty summer day) make sure to stand in the shade whenever possible. Alternatively, you can protect your baby from the sun by lathering their skin with sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Make a sponge on your feverish baby
Fever is one of the side effects of dehydration. So, if you notice a high temperature in your baby, you must make a sponge with warm water. This will naturally reduce the fever.
Give your baby juicy food
If you cannot give water to your newborn, medically feed him juicy fruits such as watermelon, plums or cucumbers. Do not forget to mash the fruit before feeding the little one.
Dehydration is common among babies. Treat the problem carefully, watching for signs and symptoms. For severe cases, your child needs medical attention.
