Little bodies heat up faster and sweat less than big ones -- which means kids can get dehydrated pretty easily on hot summer days. Here, some tips from Lisa Asta, M.D., associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco:
To prevent dehydration:
- Give your child plenty to drink all day. The American Academy of Pediatrics says active kids need water every 20 minutes.
- Dress her in lightweight clothing so she'll stay cool.
- Keep babies in the shade or inside when it's hot and humid out.
To spot it:
- Your kid doesn't pee as often, and her urine may be deep yellow.
- She says she's thirsty (which usually means she's mildly dehydrated).
- She has headaches, especially in the early afternoon; a baby may seem listless and not cry or babble as much as she usually does.
To treat it:
- Get your child out of the sun and have her take it easy.
- Give her plenty to drink.
- See the doctor if she can't drink or she's not alert. She might need fluids via IV.
