It’s difficult for any mom when her child is sick. I always wanted to ‘baby’ them and give in to their every whim but when a toddler is running a fever, throwing up, or has diarrhea that is not a good option when it comes to fluids. Keeping a toddler hydrated when they are sick is essential for their recovery and will prevent them from getting worse. You can baby them with everything else but never allow them to completely refuse fluids. The child may not want anything but now is the time to be strong and loving mom.
Any toddler who is throwing up or has several bouts of diarrhea should be considered dehydrated. Their bodies are small and cannot handle the fluid loss as well as even a slightly older child. Another sure sign of dehydration is a fever that steadily increases. It may go down with ibuprofen or acetaminophen but it will pop back up right before the next dose of medicine.
Believe it or not some toddlers complain of headaches when they are dehydrated. They may not call it a headache but you will see them holding their heads or putting their hand up to a particular spot. Headaches are a classic sign of dehydration.
Techniques to get Your Sick Toddler to Drink More
It doesn’t really matter what kind of fluids your toddler drinks but if they are throwing up or have diarrhea you may want to avoid sugary liquids. The sugar draws more fluid into their gut which may cause them to throw up more often. Water is an excellent option if your toddler’s stomach is upset.
1.Make a Game Out of Drinking- Revert back to your college days and any drinking games you may have participated in. Start the game by making a rule such as, “every time that Elmo laughs you have to take a sip of water.” You can participate also and race each other to see who can take their sips faster.
2.One Teaspoon Every Five Minutes- You can set a timer for this one or just use your best guess. Take a teaspoon and a cup or bowl of cool water. Every three to five minutes put it to your toddler’s lips and empty the spoon. This little amount of water is enough to keep a child hydrated. Your toddler should be able to keep this small amount of water down. Her body should be able to absorb most of the fluid in between spoonfuls.
3.Set Your Alarm at Night- This technique is for the toddler who is actually sleeping and not up sick. If your child has been sick and you put her to bed with a fever then she could get dehydrated overnight. A high fever is a sign of dehydration so when you wake up take her temperature and then have her sip water for a few minutes.
4.Use a Medication Syringe- If your toddler runs when she sees the spoonful of water then try the medication syringe. This may seem harsh but it’s better to force in a small amount of fluid than taking her to the ER for an IV. A teaspoon of water is equivalent to 5ml on a syringe.
I know it’s hard but you have to make sure that your sick child is drinking enough fluids in order for her to get better. Keeping a toddler hydrated when she is sick is not an easy job but if mom can do it then her baby will be feeling better and back to destroying the house in no time.
