DRINKING FLUIDS, DECREASED Symptom Definition Child drinks less than normal amounts of fluid. Complication: dehydration Causes 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. See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If Age less than 12 weeks and breastfeeding, See BREASTFEEDING QUESTIONS Age less than 12 weeks and formula feeding, see BOTTLEFEEDING QUESTIONS WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR DRINKING FLUIDS, DECREASED Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If: Not moving or too weak to stand. Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If Your child looks or acts very sick. Signs of dehydration, such as: Has not urinated in more than 8 hours.   Crying produces no tears.   Very dry mouth (rather than moist).   Sunken soft spot. Excessively sleepy child. Too weak to suck or drink. Refuses to drink anything for more than 12 hours. (8 hours if less than 12 months old) Could have swallowed a foreign body.   Wheezing or stridor with breathing Difficulty breathing not better after you clean out the nose. Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If You think your child needs to be seen. Unexplained difficulty drinking and also has fever. Poor drinking present > 3 days. Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If You have other questions or concerns. Parent Care at Home If Drinking adequate amounts of fluid AND no signs of dehydration and you don't think your child needs to be seen. Back to Top HOME CARE ADVICE FOR DECREASED FLUID INTAKE 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, as it does with diarrhea or vomiting. 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. 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. 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. Call Your Doctor If: Difficulty swallowing becomes worse Signs of dehydration Poor drinking present for more than 3 days Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms Back to Top Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2005 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP Reviewed 8/2005 Revised 8/2005 See Other Topics: Colds Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores) Sore Throat Breastfeeding Questions Bottlefeeding Questions View Index of Topics