In any age the first symptoms are exhaustion and profuse sweating, and babies become very irritable and cry inconsolably. Sweating then stops as they become dehydrated and lose consciousness.

The child who is dehydrated tends to be listless and tired and has a dry tongue. The best way to judge a dry tongue is by washing your hands and then putting a clean finger into your baby's mouth. The tongue and mouth don't normally feel dry, but if your child is dehydrated then they might be. In babies, the fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of the head may be sunken in dehydration.

Dehydration Checklist

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  Do the inside of the mouth and tongue look dry? Does the mouth lack the usual glistening layer of saliva? This is the easiest sign to assess and it is also a very good indicator of the beginnings of dehydration; it is also present in severe dehydration.

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  Does the child seem thirstier than normal? If he is thirsty, offer her more to drink. And always check the other items below.

DANGER SIGNS   ( NEXT )