Toddlers are one of the most resilient age groups when it comes to cuts and scrapes. They pop right back up after they fall and take on the next challenge. But when it comes to changes in their body’s fluid status, they are one of the most susceptible to dehydration. Dehydration is when the body’s fluid levels have decreased below their normal amount.
Dehydration can be caused by all sorts of things, including fever, illness, hot weather, not drinking enough, and exercise. Toddlers aren’t able to communicate like their adult counterparts which put them at a higher risk for becoming dangerously dehydrated. Here’s a list of the warning signs of dehydration in toddlers and the treatment options.
Thirst
Thirst is one of the signs of dehydration in toddlers. You might think it’s the first sign, but it’s actually a late sign. If a toddler is thirsty, they are already dehydrated says KidsHealth. The source also says “that’s why they should start drinking before they feel thirsty and have more fluids, even after thirst is quenched.”
According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, children should drink one 8-ounce glass of water per year of age. For example, 2-year-old toddler should drink two 8-ounce glasses of water per day, and a 3-year-old should drink three 8-ounce glasses of water per day. The source reports that this does not include other beverages, such as milk or juice, they would normally drink per day, and this volume is the minimum a child should drink.