Every day we lose water in our body through sweat, tears, urine and stool. Water can also evaporate from the skin and leave our body as vapour when we breathe.
We replace this lost water by drinking water, and eating (food contains water too!).
Sometimes, however, we can lose a huge amount of water when we get sick, or when we exercise. Especially kids. When we run a temperature (fever) more water will evaporate from our body. Diarrhoea and vomiting also cause us to lose water.
If anyone (kids or adults) is unable to adequately replace water that’s been lost, we can become dehydrated.
It’s even more important that we keep an eye on our kids, because they can’t do it for themselves.
——————
RECOGNISING DEHYDRATION IN KIDS:
If your child is running a temperature, has diarrhoea, is vomiting or sweating excessively on a hot day (or during intense physical activity), then you need to watch for the signs of dehydration:
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Dry, cool skin
- Few or no tears when crying
- Lack of urine or wet nappies for 6 to 8 hours in an infant (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine)
- Lack of urine for 12 hours in an older child (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine)
- Eyes that look sunken into the head
- Soft spot (fontanelle) on top of baby’s head that looks sunken
- Lethargy or irritability
- Fatigue or dizziness in an older child
PREVENTION OF DEHYDRATION:
Obviously the best way to ensure your child doesn’t get dehydrated, is to offer fluids when they’re sick, or physically active. Ideally if they’re vomiting, or have got diarrhoea, then they need to consume more than they lose.
If your child has a sore throat, and has trouble swallowing, then offer an ice block or cool drink. Hydralyte have actually got flavoured Electrolyte ice blocks – meaning your child is more likely to think of it as a treat, rather than medicine.
The Hydralyte Electrolyte Ice Blocks are suitable for the entire family; including babies, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
It’s really important that we remember to offer fluids on hot days as well, as children lose a lot of water through sweating. Offering a Hydralyte Electrolyte Ice Block instead of a regular ice block, is a great way to cool your child down whilst hydrating them at the same time.
TREATING DEHYDRATION:
As a parent, it’s really important to familiarise ourselves with the signs of dehydration; and realise that if our child is vomiting and/or has diarrhoea, then they are likely to get dehydrated quicker.
The best way to treat dehydration is to replace the fluids lost.
You can do this by offering water, ice blocks or an electrolyte solution. Hydralyte have a ready-to-use Electrolyte solution perfect for the whole family: children, babies, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
——————
A while ago I had a stomach bug, and was vomiting all day. I wasn’t hungry but I was EXTREMELY thirsty. However, every time I drank water, I vomited more. So luckily I had the Hydralyte drink in the fridge, so I cracked it open. I slowly sipped it (although I really wanted to guzzle it down because of how thirsty I was) … within a couple of hours I started to feel better.
Also, my 9 month old Niece had a stomach bug, and wouldn’t take any fluids. So I raced over with my stash of Hydralyte Electrolyte Ice Blocks and they helped so much. If you follow me on Snapchat (happymumnz) you will have seen this.
Hydralyte can be found in your local pharmacy, and is a great addition to any family’s pantry or freezer. You never know when you might need it!
Thanks to Hydralyte for making this post possible, and keeping my kids hydrated!
#ad #sponsored
———————
