Drinking Fluids - Decreased

DEFINITION

• Child drinks less than normal amounts of fluid

• Main cause: Sore mouth or throat.  See MOUTH ULCERS or SORE THROAT after using this topic to check for dehydration.
• Common cause in infants: Blocked nose in bottle or breastfed infant (Reason: can't breathe while sucking). See COLDS after using this topic.
• Common cause: Nausea from viral stomach infection without vomiting.
• Difficulty breathing with bronchiolitis or croup. (Reason: not enough energy to both suck and breathe)

• Dehydration

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Age under 12 weeks and breastfeeding, See BREASTFEEDING QUESTIONS
• Age under 12 weeks and formula feeding, see BOTTLEFEEDING QUESTIONS
• MOUTH ULCERS are the cause

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR DECREASED FLUID INTAKE

1. Increase Fluid Intake: Give your child unlimited amounts of her favorite liquid (e.g., chocolate milk, fruit drinks, Kool-Aid, soft drinks, water). The type doesn't matter, since your child doesn't have diarrhea or vomiting.
2. Solid Foods: Don't worry about solid food intake. It's normal for the appetite to fall off during illness. Preventing dehydration is the only important issue.
3. For Sore Mouth:  
   • If the mouth is sore, give cold drinks.
   • Avoid citrus juices.
   • For infants, offer fluids in a cup, spoon or syringe rather than a bottle (Reason: The nipple may increase pain).  
   • Older child can use 1 teaspoon of a liquid antacid as a mouthwash 4 times per day after meals.  
   • Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
4. For a Blocked Nose: Suction it out using warm water or saline nosedrops in infants and toddlers. Make saline nosedrops by adding ½ teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz.) of warm water.
5. For Shortness of Breath: For mild bronchiolitis or difficult breathing, offer small frequent (every ½ hour) feedings so the infant can rest briefly between them.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Difficulty swallowing becomes worse
   • Signs of dehydration
   • Poor drinking present over 3 days
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.