Treating Dehydration in Kids

Last weekend we went to Great Wolf Lodge. We had a great time, but didn’t realize that we weren’t drinking nearly enough. It’s hard to believe that you can get dehydrated when you are at a waterpark and aren’t sweating, but it happens all too easily.

When we got home, we were all tired, a little more cranky and had headaches. The next morning, our 6 year old complained of a headache and actually went to the nurse twice at school. It was very unlike her and she didn’t want to even do her classwork. It hit me that she was dehydrated (despite me suggesting to drink a lot of water).

I hadn’t thought to check her urine because I already was pretty sure dehydration was the cause of her “forehead hurting”. But, one of the most reliable indicators of dehydration is urine color. Light yellow or clear urine indicates proper hydration, while dark yellow urine likely means your child is dehydrated.

She’s like her momma, though, headache and dry mouth are the first symptoms.

Other symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth, dry skin and dry eyes (no tears)
• Thirst
• Tiredness, sluggishness
• Fewer wet diapers; decreased urine output
• Lightheadedness, headache
• Fever
• Confusion

After picking her up from school, I remembered that I had just received some DripDrop Hydration Powder to try.

DripDrop, created by  aMayo-Clinic-trained physician, provides a simple, cost-effective solution that empowers everyone to treat mild to moderate dehydration with a safe, medical-grade solution. The hydration powder packets fit easily in the medicine cabinet, travel kit, purse and gym bag, so it’s there when you need it. Simply mix with water and consume.

Unlike other pediatric solutions, you don’t have to worry about consuming a liter of the fluid before it goes bad, and it actually tastes pretty good, too. It is available in both lemon and berry flavors, and does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It has 2-3 times the electrolytes of sports drinks, with fewer calorie and has been shown to hydrate 34% faster than water alone, and 20% faster than pediatric solutions and sports drinks.

So, we mixed the packet (she picked lemon) up with 16 ounces of water and got her to drinking. I had her sip it slowly at first and then continue drinking. She kept drinking until she felt much better and she was using the bathroom.

Thankfully, it was very easy to rehydrate her and we have additional packets for the next time, should it happen.

What do you do to help with dehydration?