Dehydration can be dangerous to a person of any age. It can present even more complications to for an infant, however, as he is not able to communicate a health problem. This is why dehydration can become severe if you are not alert to the early signs. In addition, infants and small children can be prone to becoming dehydrated due to diarrhea, finicky eating, and a lower tolerance to extreme heat or humid weather conditions.

If your infant has experienced any of these causes of dehydration, you should make sure that he is getting plenty of liquids. Dehydration will affect your child’s sense of thirst and ability to drink. If his thirst seems more extreme than usual, he may have a moderate case of dehydration. In a more severe case, he will find it difficult to drink, and may vomit liquids which he does consume. In either case, it is best to take him to his pediatrician, rather than try to deal with the problem yourself.

Dehydration can affect your child’s vital signs. His breathing may be faster than normal, or it may be labored and difficult. His pulse rate may decrease, while his heart rate increases. These are signs that something is very wrong, and medical assistance is recommended.

Your baby’s overall attitude and behavior is a reflection of his health. If he is dehydrated, he will not seem like his usual self. This can range from irritability to lethargy to not being able to awaken easily.

The state of a dehydrated baby’s body also shows marked differences. Instead of warm, healthy skin, his skin may feel cool or cold. He will have fewer or no tears when he cries. He may not have the same healthy elasticity to his skin. As dehydration interferes with normal urination, you will notice that he is not needing very many diaper changes. At its worst, dehydration can prevent urination entirely.

Although there are a number of over-the-counter products specially made for rehydrating, if your child is exhibiting the symptoms of moderate to severe dehydration it is best to not use these products unless his pediatrician has already advised you to do so. The reason for this is that his health could worsen while you are using a product that is not effective for him. Take him to his doctor and let the doctor decide on the best course of treatment for his particular situation.

As infants and small children are prone to becoming dehydrated, taking steps to avoid it can prevent the problem from occurring. Be sure that he gets plenty of liquid on a regular basis, and be especially attuned to his need for more liquids if he has had a bout of diarrhea or been exposed to heat. You can also ask your doctor if the products made for the purpose of replacing electrolytes is suitable for your infant. If so, drinking them on a regular basis will help your baby to stay healthier and reduce his risk of becoming dehydrated.