Drinking Fluids - Decreased
Drinking Fluids - Decreased
Does this describe your child's symptoms? |
Definition
Causes
Complication
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If not, see these topics
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When to Call Your Doctor |
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If |
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Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If |
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Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If |
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Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If |
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Parent Care at Home If |
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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, since your child doesn't have 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 (5 ml) of a liquid antacid as a mouthwash 4 times per day after meals.
Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
Nasal Washes To Open a Blocked Nose:
Use saline nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If not available, can use warm tap water.
STEP 1: Instill 3 drops per nostril. (Age under 1 year, use 1 drop and do one side at a time)
STEP 2: Blow (or suction) each nostril separately, while closing off the other nostril. Then do other side.
STEP 3: Repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear.
Frequency: Do nasal washes whenever your child can't breathe through the nose.
Saline nasal sprays can be purchased without a prescription.
Saline nose drops can also be made: Add 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) of table salt to 1 cup (8 ounces or 240 ml) of warm water.
Reason for nose drops: suction or nose blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus.
Another option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow each nostril.
For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus.
Importance for a young infant: can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open.
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.
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.
Updated:  
March 22, 2017