Signs Of Dehydration In Breastfed Babies

Dehydration is when one loses too much fluid, which accounts for 75% of bodyweight.

Your baby loses fluid everyday through urine, faeces, sweat, crying, and even breathing. This natural loss of fluid is quickly compensated with breastfeeding, though.

Nonetheless, if not compensated, loss of fluid in your baby’s body would lead to dehydration.

Dehydration can either be mild, medium, or very dangerous. No matter the intensity, urgent medical treatment is a must in order to avoid complications and unexpected health problems.

Signs of dehydration are numerous, so we’re going to share with you the most prominent amongst them:

- Dry lips

- Dry mouth

- Fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours

- Lack of interest in breastfeeding

- Lethargy

- Irritability

- Dark, smelly urine

- Crying without tears

- Sunken eyes

- Cold hands and feet

If you're wondering about the reasons behind the emergence of such symptoms, they are probably due to fever, diarrhea, exposure to heat or your baby failing to get his daily needs of food — either because you do not provide him with enough breastfeeding sessions per day, he is unable to properly breastfeed, or because you are unable to produce enough breastmilk compared to the need of your baby.

Dehydration may not be a very common condition during infancy, yet it can develop in babies and quickly turn into a serious health problem. That’s why we recommend that you pay attention to your child and consult the doctor whenever you notice one of the symptoms listed above.

Read More: Does My Newborn Baby Need Water?