nksThaToddler Dehydrated? Need Help

Poor baby!! Our ped. always said if he won't take the pedialite or gatorade type drinks that white grape juice diluted with water is the next best thing. Maybe he might like to suck on a popcicle? That could feel good with a fever. I don't think I would push much solid food right now, if he has tummy troubles--just fluids.

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How is his skin? When you press on it does it spring back and leave a dent? Did he have tears when he cried? 6-7 hours without a wet diaper seems OK since he's not drinking much if his skin is still pliant

Sleeping all the time is normal with a double ear infection.

I suggest that he's not dehydrated at this point but you do want to give him sips of water from time to time. A fever of 102 is not serious. I do think it's good to call the advice nurse. His condition is certainly not serious now so you can wait for a call back.

Actually the advice nurse is the best person to ask this question.

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Stay calm. Let him sleep, he's healing. When he's awake give him sips of whatever he will take. I'm sure the nurse will advise you on what to do when she calls back.

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How scary. Your poor little guy.....
Ear infections hurt. I think it's good that he's sleeping. It gives his little body a chance to be still and fight off the infection.
Definitely try to get fluids in him, but don't force it at this point. He's had a rough several days, today at the ER, and now that he's on antibiotics, he should hopefully be feeling better in a day or so. A fever of 102 is frightening, but little kids can run hot like that and their temps go up in the evening. Thankfully you know the reason for the fever. Not peeing isn't necessarily a sign of dehydration.
Follow what the ER doctors told you to do on sign out. Hopefully they will call you soon to reassure you.
Also keep in mind that swallowing may hurt his little ears which could be another reason he's not that into drinking or eating much. Not to mention the fact he threw up. Like I said, try getting some liquid in him, obviously his antibiotics and pain/fever reducer if they said it's okay for him to have it, but if he just wants to sleep for right now, he's not screaming his head off which would make matters worse. Him sleeping is good for him.

I really hope he's better soon.

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i know that when i was about 2, i got dehydrated. it happened very quickly. my mom laid me down for a nap, and when she tried ot wake me up, she couldn't. rushed me to the ER and had to stay in there for about a week at the time. i would try to wake him up again and get him to walk, see if that wakes him up more. he could just be wiped out from crying so much. or you could just bring him to the ER again.

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As long as they have at least one wet diaper in 24 hours then they are not totally dehydrated. If he is sick he will want to sleep. I would call the doctors office. They should have a doctor on call. They should give you call back. If you are not happy with your doctor then you need to get another one. I did not like my sons first pediatrician and I got another one and I am a lot happier. Hang in there. After a few days of medicine he will feel better. My son has also thrown up when he has coughed too hard. It sounds like he is congested and it went to his ears. I know it is fustrating when our kids are sick and we feel helpless when we can not help them. Now,I am dealing with my son getting over bronchitis which should have been gotten better. Night before last he woke up every two hours coughing. It seemed like nothing was helping. I know you are anxious but relax right now and enjoy your piece and quiet. Before you know it he will be jumping around all over the place.

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Popsicles, 100% fruit juice, jello, clear liquids like broth and herbal tea.

No caffeine, no carbonated drinks. They make dehydration worse.

Every time he wakes up offer him a drink. It may hurt to suck the liquid in so if he refuses offer it to him in a spoon. Even a couple of tablespoons of fluids are better than none. I would make sure to call the pediatrician's office and get the doc on call to call me back. The ER cannot give you advice over the phone, they can get sued if something happens to your child, they just won't tell you anything other than things you can look up for yourself.

Your doc should have an on call person 24 hours a day. Call their office and see what the tape says, otherwise you can call the hospital that your docs have privileges at and they'll call the on call doc and have them call you back.

We only have one hospital in the area that we use, I call the switchboard and ask them to have the doc on call from the kids clinic. They call me back usually within a few minutes. They are on call and they know they will get calls. They will give you advice because they are your child's doctors. They may just tell you to go back to the ER though, the ER should be able to run tests and tell if the child is that dehydrated. The ER can also give IV fluids if needed.

Hi K.,

Sorry to hear your little boy is sick. I hope he feels better soon.

My pediatrician always recommends the B.R.A.T. Diet:

Banana, Rice Cereal, Apple Sauce, Toast.

Clear liquids, avoid MILK

Get some Pedialite - you get flavored, but I use the non flavored and put it in his juice or water.

If his skin starts to feel clammy or he gets a high fever (101 and up is considered a high fever.) just take him to the hospital... why risk it by waiting to see your Pediatrician?

But, I have a feeling he will be ok... just keep a close eye on his temp. and make sure he gets lots of water (with pedialite). And check for wet diapers.

I feel your pain..

good luck

Google Search "Dehydration in kids."

If he keeps sleeping excessively, take him back in. That is a sign of the body going into a type of shock. my daughter did that when she had a kidney infection that they didnt properly treat. The impending shock permanently damaged her adrenal glands.

definitely try to get him to drink... Try to give him pedialyte if you can... if there is none of that in the house, see if you have any Gatorade or a similar drink with electrolytes... no caffeine though! Even water with a little sprite or 7-up may help him to take it (don't get caught up in good food habits while he is sick... get fluids into him!) keep waking him and trying to give him fluids before bed... 6-8 oz at least! wake him up several times at night just for a few sips if you can... and to check his temp. If he is not waking up take him to the ER (waking up and then drowsing off after a minute or 2 is ok... but you should be able to get him awake enough to take a few sips of water...)

at 102 fever I would give him a lukewarm bath. IT is NOT going to be a fun experience... but if he is already dehydrated you don't want him running a high fever for very long and a bath can help bring the fever down... and will probably wake him up enough to get him a drink... to make sure it is not TOO cold, get in the water with him... it should be "warm" but not "hot", a little warmer than swimming pool water.

If it won't conflict with his other medications, give him a low dose of baby tylenol (as long as the ped. has ok'd it) that can also help to bring down a fever. If his temp spikes get him to the ER... keep a close eye on him all night to be sure!

Chances are he'll be just fine though... Just keep a close eye on the situation!

Good Luck!
-M.

Never give a child that is sick anything red to eat or drink.

Give cool-aid or pedialite to hydrate.

Keep going back to see your Dr. if need be.

I hope he feels better soon.

Take him in if he hasn't had wet diapers or several trips to the potty to pee. He could be just catching up on missed sleep, but you should know lethargy and being unable to rouse him could be signs of dehydration. If you just aren't sure, it's alway better to just get him in to the ER.

I've always been told liquids trump foods in times of illness. So if you must choose, give him broths, Pedialyte, and jello if he won't eat, to keep him hydrated, and worry about food once he starts peeing regularly.