Infant Diarrhea: Recognizing Dehydration & When to Seek Medical Advice

According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, babies "have an average of one to three episodes of acute diarrhea every year." Although infant diarrhea is not abnormal, it is important to call your child's doctor if he begins to show any of the following early signs of dehydration.

Decreased Urination

• If your child goes more than six hours without producing a wet diaper, she may be dehydrated.

Lethargy

• A dehydrated infant may appear lethargic or more sleepy than usual.

Urine

• When a dehydrated baby does urinate, his urine will be darker in color than normal, and will have a pungent odor.

Dry Skin

• Your baby's skin may appear dry, and when you press down gently on her arm or leg, her skin may not bounce back quickly.

Dry Mouth

• When a baby is dehydrated, his mouth may become dry, and he may make smacking noises when he cries, or when he opens and closes his mouth.