Dehydration-how do you know when it's gone too far?

DS has been sick for about a week. His dang molars are stuck and even the dr said he can't believe they still haven't broken through after this long of pushing through the gums. In all honesty, he really hasn't eaten solids like he normally does for about 2 weeks. But he was still drinking more bottles to make up for it.

Now that he is really sick, not just teething, he's had a rough few days. For about 2 days he was barely wetting diapers, then yesterday he was a peeing machine. Now today he has diarrhea. He isn't throwing up (yet, but has been gagging), so how do I know if he's okay?

His temp has only been in the low 101s.

TIA!!!!

ETA: Thanks! I just talked with the dr and we are monitoring him. He's napping now, so it's all good. Once he's up, I'm heading out to get Pedialite.

Message edited 11/5/2008 3:35:31 PM.

Re: Dehydration-how do you know when it's gone too far?

The first sign of dehydration in children is a decrease in wet diapers and a loss of tears when crying followed by lethargy which can all happen in a matter of hours since kids dehydrate so quickly. THis is one of the first things a pediatrician will ask you to rule out dehydration.

I would give your ped a quick call to let them know your DS is sick, as diarhea and a fever and you have already noticed a decrease in wet diapers

I hope he feels better

Re: Dehydration-how do you know when it's gone too far?

my dr. said 6 hours with no pee diapers and lethargic. have you tried pedialite or pedialite pops? my dr. also said start with 1 ouce of clear liquid and if he holds it down for 15 minutes give more and continue.

i'd call the dr. just in case though.

hope he feels better soon!

Re: Dehydration-how do you know when it's gone too far?

My peds rule of thumb was always the diaper. I was repeatedly told as long as the diaper was even "misty" they are not dehydrated.

Re: Dehydration-how do you know when it's gone too far?

Posted by Blissful

The first sign of dehydration in children is a decrease in wet diapers and a loss of tears when crying followed by lethargy which can all happen in a matter of hours since kids dehydrate so quickly. THis is one of the first things a pediatrician will ask you to rule out dehydration.

I would give your ped a quick call to let them know your DS is sick, as diarhea and a fever and you have already noticed a decrease in wet diapers

I hope he feels better