Help! Dehydrated Toddler?

My LO is almost 15 months and has been sick since Saturday. At first he had a fever of 101 but has had a normal temp since Tuesday. But the big problem is now he won't eat or really drink anything. It's been days. I took him to the pedi yesterday and she said it was just a cold but today he's only wet two diapers including his one from overnight. I'm worried. If he hasn't wet one after his nap I'm going to call back but what can they do for him? I've been trying to get him to drink... spoon feeding him water, offering bottles and popsicles. Poor baby!   What more can I do for him?

Try putting water in a medicine syringe?
DD always likes that when she's sick and doesn't want a cup or bottle.

Make sure and give the baby pain meds in case he has a sore throat then give gatorade through an oral syringe.

If he is indeed dehydrated, they will give him an iv in the e.r. It's a good sign that he has had two wet daipers at least. Is there a favorite drink like chocolate milk that you could offer him? If you give him a sippy cup/bottle while lying down will he drink it?

They will hook him up to an IV and rehydrate him. They will also run tests to see if there is an infection and give him meds.

I gave my son gatorade....so maybe some pedialyte or if you think its appropriate gatorade? I would def. call the dr. again if the wet diapers are few and far between. Can you tell if the urine is very dark in the diaper? dark dark urine is a sign of dehydration

Gatorade tastes much better than pedialyte, lol. And OP I'd do whatever I could before I went to the ER. Seeing your baby get an IV is extremely hard. Extremely hard.

my son finds wet (clean) wash clothes irresistable....maybe yours will too? Soak one with water and see if he sucks on it? Hey-if you get desperate its worth a try right?

I was worried they'd give an IV, I definitely want to do whatever I can to avoid that! I'll use the medical syringe, I did that yesterday but he tends to spit it out. I'll also give him tylenol for pain. That's a good idea because I stopped giving it to him once his fever went down. The fact that he's not eating doesn't worry me nearly as much as the lack of fluids.

<blockquote><b>Quoting buddhababy:</b>" I was worried they'd give an IV, I definitely want to do whatever I can to avoid that! I'll use the medical ... [snip!] ... giving it to him once his fever went down. The fact that he's not eating doesn't worry me nearly as much as the lack of fluids."</blockquote>

Why are you so worried about an IV? If he needs it than its a good thing to do.

You're right, if he does need it then that's what will happen I just want to make sure that I don't jump right to that before making sure I can do everything possible to help him hydrate without needing an IV.

Quoting buddhababy:" You're right, if he does need it then that's what will happen I just want to make sure that I don't jump ... [snip!] ... sure that I don't jump right to that before making sure I can do everything possible to help him hydrate without needing an IV."

  Of course you would as would any mother. There are other signs to watch for to know if your baby is dehydrated or not. Try the gatorade and put the syringe far back in his cheek (just as you would medicine) so that he is less likely to spit it out. Do 5 ml every 15 min if need be.

My toddlers have been sick since Sunday. One of them is still nursing and drinking fine though he is stuffed up. My 3yo is another story. He barely drinks or eats. I got him to eat an entire sandwhich..which is the most he has eaten in days. I have to give him juice pouches and boxes in order for him to drink anything and he is only peeing like 4 times a day. He isnt dehydrated though, still mostly clear pee(except in the morning). He just holds his pee alot. Just make sure you offer him his favorite drinks. Ive been giving my youngest(12 months) smoothies and slushies(made with juice or v8 fusion). My oldest loves milkshakes and chocolate milk, so Ive been sneeking in carnation instant breakfast for the extra nutrition and calories.

Good luck..just keep an eye on him. Hope he feels better soon!

Ps you can try yogurt and frozen yogurt!

<blockquote><b>Quoting buddhababy:</b>" You're right, if he does need it then that's what will happen I just want to make sure that I don't jump ... [snip!] ... sure that I don't jump right to that before making sure I can do everything possible to help him hydrate without needing an IV."</blockquote>




Do everything possible to avoid. Hospital visit and an IV. It sounds like you can.

Small amounts via. Syringe will help as will offering ice cubes and Popsicles.

Tylenol or Advil may help him feel well enough to try more.

Thanks so much to all who replied! He seems to be doing much better today. He still won't eat much but I got him to drink 6 oz. of milk and 2 oz. of water this morning after giving him some tylenol.