Infant Dehydration Signs and Symptoms

Infant dehydration can be caused by a number of factors including excessive vomiting, diarrhea or a refusal to drink liquids. If you recognize any of the following symptoms of dehydration in your baby, contact your child's doctor right away so your baby can get the medical attention she needs.

No Tears

• A dehydrated baby may not shed tears when she cries. It is important to note that it can take months for an infant to begin shedding tears, so this symptom is most easily recognized in babies who have previously shed tears when crying.

Lack of Urine

• A dehydrated baby has no fluid to urinate, so diapers will remain dry or be wet less often than usual.

Skin

• A dehydrated baby's skin loses elasticity, and when you press down on her arm or leg and then release, you will notice that the skin does not replump quickly.

Irritability

• A dehydrated baby is uncomfortable, so he might be more irritable than normal. He might cry more than usual and resist his normal sleeping and eating schedule.

Dry Mouth

• A dehydrated baby might have a dry mouth, and you might notice that he does not drool as much as usual.