Know the Warning Signs of Dehydration in Infants and Older Children
Look Out for These Symptoms!
Dehydration can happen to just about anyone. Infants and older children are at greater risk of experiencing this condition, which occurs when the body loses too much water and other fluids that it needs to work normally. Worse, at such a young age, they’re unable to tell their parents how they’re feeling or recognize that they are already dehydrated.
Severe dehydration could lead to brain damage or worse, death.
That’s why as a parent, it’s your responsibility to stay vigilant, especially on days when temperatures are extremely high. The question is, how will you be able to determine that your child is already dehydrated? What are the warning signs you should look out for? Kids Car Donations rounds up the signs of dehydration in infants and older children:
- Dry lips, tongue, or throat
- Sunken eyes
- Few or no tears when crying
- Extreme thirst
- Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants); no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (for toddlers)
- Dry and wrinkled skin
- Blotchy hands and feet
- Sunken soft spot on the head (for infants)
- Deep, rapid breathing
- Faster heart rate
What Should You Do in Case Your Child Is Dehydrated?
Keep in mind that treatment for dehydration depends on its severity. If your infant or toddler is experiencing mild symptoms only, like having a dry mouth, you can simply treat them with an oral rehydration solution, which has the right amounts of water, sugar, and salt to relieve the symptoms.
Here are other steps you can take once your doctor gives you the green light to start home treatment:
- Have your child drink unsweetened fluids.
- If your child is under the age of 2, don’t provide over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea (unless prescribed by the doctor).
- Continue breastfeeding your infant normally as long as they’re not vomiting.
- Give your child plenty of rest.
- As your child begins to show signs of recovery, you may give less oral rehydration solution and more food and drink.
When Should You Call Your Doctor?
Contact your pediatrician as soon as you see your child exhibiting any of these signs:
- Won’t drink anything for more than a couple of hours.
- Hasn’t eaten in 3-4 days.
- Vomits more than a few times in 24 hours.
- Has vomit that is red, brown, or bright green.
- Has been feeling lethargic.
- Shows no progress.
Reach Out to Indigent Children Needing Medical Assistance
Severe cases of dehydration may require hospitalization where the child is given fluids intravenously (IV) while doctors monitor their electrolyte imbalance.
Sadly, some parents are not keen on taking their children to the hospital even if they’re showing symptoms of serious illness such as intense headache, vomiting, fever, or a seizure. These are the folks who can’t afford the costs of treatment and hospitalization of their children.
We at Kids Car Donations are here to invite you to join us in our mission to provide medical assistance to indigent kids and save the lives of those who are critically ill. All you need to do is donate to us any vehicle you no longer need.
We’ll auction off your donated vehicle and use the proceeds to support the critical child healthcare programs of our IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. Thus, with your donation, more youngsters from impoverished families in your community will be able to benefit from the free treatments and therapies, emotional well-being support, and other health services that our charity partners provide.
To show you our appreciation for your charitable gesture, we’ll pick up your unwanted vehicle for free anywhere in the country. We’ll also have the 100% tax-deductible sales receipt of your vehicle delivered to your doorstep so that you can claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
While these material rewards are surely worth looking forward to, the best part about donating a vehicle to us is the priceless joy of knowing that you’ll be giving a critically ill child a new lease on life.
Feel free to donate any type of vehicle whatever its age or working condition.
To know more about our vehicle donation program, including our quick and convenient process, head over to our FAQs page. If you have any inquiries or concerns, give us a call anytime through our toll-free hotline at 866-634-8395 or write to us here.
Ready to Help Those Kids Crying Out for Help?
Why bother keeping a no longer-needed car in your garage when you can transform it into a vital source of support for the hurting girls and boys in your community? Your vehicle donation can leave a lasting impact on their lives. What are you waiting for? Call Kids Car Donations at 866-634-8395 or fill out our secure online donation form now!