how do you know if your baby is dehydrated?

Question

i have had my son to the hosptial 3 times this week and finally a doctor tells me he has rsv. i had to get a mask that comes with a machine that gives him air and some medicine that he has to breath in, i asked the doctor about him not eating and he told me that he didnt think he was dehydrated and to feed him less but more often, i try that but he only drinks about 1/2oz and dosent want any more,, since wednesday he has had maybe 5 bottles and he has thorwin 2 of them up, to day he had an 8oz. bottle and a 5oz. bottle and some of that was mixed in his ceral, i changed him this morning and the diaper i put on him is just starting to become full, i havnt changed him yet today because i was trying to see how much peeing he is doing, and its not much for the day.. can he be dehydrated??

he is 7 1/2 months old

i cant give him water cause he is not drinking anything, wednesday i changed 3 diapers

he has not had a "poo" yesterday or today, the antibitics that is on was suppose you give him the poos (side affect) but so far he has had only a few "wet farts" but none of that today.

Answer 1

dry, sticky mouth and lips
hasn't wet diaper for past six hours
has persistent dark, yellow urine
sheds few or no tears while crying
less energetic, seems lethargic
eyes look sunken
has a sunken fontanel (soft spot)
Rehydration is the process of giving fluids to your child to prevent dehydration. The way you rehydrate your infant depends on what the underlying factor of dehydration is.

Also, remember that preventing dehydration is the best treatment. That means giving fluids to your child to ensure that they're taking in more fluids than they are losing, regardless of whether illness is causing dehydration.

Answer 2

My doctor's office doesn't consider them seriously dehydrated until they haven't had a wet diaper in 12 hrs. By seriously dehydrated I mean to the point where they want them to come in and have some fluids through an I.V. You have to keep encouraging him to drink and keep it to nice small amounts--it is a pain when they are sick like this. Keep his nose as clear as possible so that he doesn't have to choose between breathing and eating!

To keep a proper watch on the dehydration change him immediately after he wets a diaper even if it isn't full. Write down the time and then wait for the next time.

If you can try to get someone to come into the home and stay with him for a little while so you can rest a little and stay pleasant and coherent for him!

My youngest (now 3) went through 5 days of constant vomiting! Nothing would stay down and the quick changing of the diaper was my only really accurate way to judge how often he was peeing! That 5th day he only had two but I just comforted myself by knowing it was still within the guidelines given by my doctor. Sure enough he got better.

RSV is a pain! You might as well buy the nebulizer because it is going to be your best friend/worst enemy for the next couple of years. It does take a while to diagnose though so that is why it took your doctor so long!

Answer 3

If the inside of his mouth is moist, he has tears when he cries, and you're getting a couple of wet diapers a day, he's not dehydrated.

If you're worried about getting some fluids into him, try feeding him with an eyedropper. If you don't want to do the formula, a little pedialyte is okay. I'd stay away from juice and water for now. (Neither are necessary, and might give him the runs.) It'll be giving him small amounts frequently and he hopefully will keep it down.

If you don't have any wet diapers in more than 8 hours or his mouth is dry and there's no tears, you'd better call his doctor ASAP. He might need to get some IV fluids into him.

Answer 4

His anterior fontanelle (front soft spot) will be sunken if he is dehydrated. He will not be urinating as frequently and his skin will be tented (meaning when you pinch his skin it will stay pinched when you let go instead of instantly going back to normal shape) and his eyes will be sunken and dry and mucous membranes will be dry.
He may have either a subnormal or elevated temperature if dehydrated. Additionally, his pulse and respirations will be elevated.
Is there a change in his behavior? Is he more irritable or lethargic?
With him not taking much with his bottle another concern would be hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or even electrolyte imbalances.
I'd call the pediatrician if I were you...he may need to be rehydrated via an IV fluid.

Answer 5

I believe the symptoms of dehydration are listlessness, a sunken look around the eyes and a dry tongue. I would call the doctor's office and talk to the person "on-call". If your baby has RSV and you're concerned about the dehydration, you should not feel uncomfortable calling with questions. That is what they are there for. Best of luck to you and your baby!

Answer 6

My son had RSV when he was just over 1. The doctor was able to easily determine he was dehydrated by an unusually sweet smell of his breath rather than his normal smell.

What are the signs of dehydration?

decreased urination (less than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours)

no tears
dry skin, mouth and tongue
sunken eyes
grayish skin
sunken soft spot (fontanel) on infant's head
Your baby's skin has lost its elasticity ie if pinched it does not immediately bounce back

Answer 7

My daughter had the stomach flu and we thought she might be dehydrated also. I know this sounds bad, but the doctor made her cry, to check and see if she is producing tears. I was also concerned because she was peeing as much as usual but the doctor said the best way to tell is by checking for tears. I don't recommend hurting him to make him cry, but maybe have someone hold him that he normally doesn't like or don't pick him when he whines, so that he'll cry enough for what normally produces tears. If he would normally have tears and he doesn't, take him to the hospital, so that they can double-check and start him on a fluid IV, if necessary. I hope he gets to feeling better soon. And hope this helps.

Answer 8

My daughter had RSV at 5 months. I was worried because she wasn't drinking any of her formula. The doctor didn't seem too worried about that, but did suggest giving her as much water/apple juice as she would take.
It's just like when adults have the flu...they don't want to eat, and sometimes will get dehydrated cause they throw everything up, but once they feel better, they will usually drink enough to catch up again.

Answer 9

As long as his is urinating, he is probably not dehydrated. With him drinking less, he will be urinating less. My son had RSV at 3 weeks old and it was pretty awful, so I know what you are going through. Keep in constant communication with his doctor and take him in if YOU think you need to. We practically lived at the dr's office for a few weeks until the worse of it passed.
I slept with him on my shoulder, sitting up on the couch for the first couple of weeks--it seemed to help his breathing.

Answer 10

My Daughter is on Similac gentle- and does great! After infinite quantities of formula tried, we finally discovered Similac gentle- it somewhat is optimal for toddlers who're fussy with the aid of fact of gasoline Pains, and it helps with acid reflux ailment besides. My Daughter had AR very undesirable- and gasoline besides. And, Similac gentle is the only formula that has helped with gasoline, fussiness, and spit up. If I have been you, i could tell the DR her indicators and ask for it to be switched to a thoroughly distinctive form with the aid of fact of course good initiate does not agree together with her- no count number what the formula is. considering the fact that she is broke out with a rash- it ought to be an allergic reaction to the formula- even however, Im doubting it with the aid of fact she has been on it now for somewhat over each and every week. So, im undecided that the rash it appropriate, yet i could call the Ped and make confident. Soy formula- i attempted my Daughter in this besides, even however, she did no longer like the style and had undesirable gasoline from this besides. So, i do no longer advise a Soy formula- i could do a Lactose formula in the previous i could do a Soy and many DRS will say a similar element. considering the fact which you should no longer tolerate milk while you have been pregnant it could have something to do with this. Ask your PED what he thinks. even however, my suggestion is that She desires to be switched to a thoroughly distinctive form of formula- and that i completely advise Similac gentle.... only ask the DR approximately Similac and notice what he exhibits...desire this helps! Congrats on the newborn!!!!