One of the worst things in the world is a sick toddler. Between the worry and the fact that there seems to be little that you can do for them when they’re sick makes it one of the worst experiences for a parent. A toddler's overall fluid volume is lower than an adult, so if they are vomiting or have diarrhea, the likelihood of them becoming dehydrated is high.
If they are vomiting, it is essential to try and maintain hydration or rehydrate slowly. Giving them teaspoons of liquid at a time as not to trigger vomiting. It's gut-wrenching when your toddler looks up at you with teary eyes, and all you can give them is a tablespoon of liquid. Just remember it's for the best. If they gulp down a cup of liquid, it's just going to come right back up. That will only upset them and start the process all over again.
Too much plain water or attempting to rehydrate with sports drinks can throw off the delicate balance of potassium and sodium in your toddler's system, which can be very serious. If your child showssigns of dehydration, it certainly warrants a call to your pediatrician. Symptoms of severe dehydration in children include:
- loose skin
- sunken eyes
- dry, cracked lips
- decreased urination
- lethargy or confusion
- lack of tears when crying
WHAT NOT TO GIVE YOUR TODDLER WHEN THEY’RE SICK
Some commonly reached for drinks to prevent dehydration are:
Gatorade- Sports drinks are not the right choice because of theamount of sugarand because they are made to replace electrolytes after sports that require a lot of exertion. The sugar is likely to upset a toddler's stomach further, and the amount of electrolytes in Gatorade may cause electrolyte imbalance in toddlers.
Fruit Juice- Even 100 percent fruit juice has a high sugar content, and some like apple and orange juices are highly acidic, which further irritate the stomach.
Soda- Ginger Ale seems to be something that we all were taught would soothe an upset stomach. However, Ginger Ale has very little ginger (which is the herb used to soothe an upset stomach) and a lot of sugar, which again is not good for the gut.
Vitamin Water- Vitamin water sounds like a great drink for kids however many varieties have caffeine, artificial ingredients, high sugar content, and herbal supplements that aren’t so great for kids. Vitamins should come from healthy meals and snacks.
None of these options are good ones for preventing dehydration or restoring rehydration, and the main reason is sugar. Let's take a look at some better options.
WHAT IS THE BEST ELECTROLYTE DRINK FOR YOUR TODDLER WHEN THEIR SICK
Spring water is always a good option when your child is sick as water does hydrate. The thing that water does not do is replace electrolytes, and too much water can dilute electrolytes and cause an electrolyte imbalance. However, it would be best if you continually offered small amounts of water or ice chips to your child when they are sick. Water and an oral rehydrating solution are the best options for hydration, as the water hydrates and the rehydrating solutions protect the electrolyte balance.
It is best to wait until they have had no occurrence of vomiting for at least 30 minutes and then begin giving them a tablespoon of clear liquids such as water or an oral rehydration solution every 5 minutes and increase slowly. If you are still breastfeeding, breast milk is also suitable for preventing dehydration and rehydrating.
Pedialyte is an over-the-counter rehydrating solution; however, it also has a high sugar concentration. It isn't as high as Gatorade or fruit juice in sugar, but the content is still high enough to cause stomach irritation.
The best drink to replace electrolytes is HYDRATE, a whole food, all-natural, organic solution with only 1g of sugar that comes from dehydrated lemon juice. You won't have to bargain with your child to get them to drink it either. This electrolyte drink tastes like homemade lemonade with a light, clean lemon flavor.
There is nothing in HYDRATE that will irritate your child's stomach, and it is safe to drink without fear of causing a mineral imbalance. With the highest quality ingredients on the planet and the purest electrolytes and minerals, you can feel good about giving it to your child when they are at their most vulnerable.
If you are having a hard time getting your child to drink, try freezing HYDRATE to make a popsicle or a slushy out of it. A lemonade ice pop or slushy will be tough to turn down.
HYDRATE is gentle enough for your kids to drink daily to encourage them to drink more and prevent dehydration. You've heard the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Keeping your child well hydrated on a daily basis will help keep them hydrated when they get a stomach bug.
WRAP UP
If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, there is a risk of them becoming dehydrated. Stay away from high sugar drinks to avoid further stomach irritation and worsening of symptoms. Sports drinks are not appropriate for children as the high electrolyte content can cause imbalances in your child's system, which can be dangerous.
Water is good for hydration; however, if they drink too much water, it can dilute electrolytes, causing imbalance. Make sure you are offering them an oral hydrating solution such as HYDRATE and water to keep electrolytes in balance.
Wait until your child has had no vomiting for at least 30 minutes before giving them clear liquids (water, breast milk, broth, HYDRATE). Then only offer a tablespoon at a time every five minutes to reintroduce liquid into the stomach slowly. If vomiting starts again, then restart the process.
Know the dehydration symptoms and call your pediatrician if you feel that your child has become severely dehydrated.
It seems like the end of the world when your kids are sick, but it comes with the territory. If you arm yourself with the right hydration solution for your child, you will get through these bouts of illness like a champ, and so will your child.
As someone deeply immersed in the field of pediatric health and wellness, particularly in addressing the challenges parents face when dealing with sick toddlers, I bring a wealth of first-hand expertise and knowledge to this discussion. My understanding extends beyond the general concerns of parenting, delving into the intricacies of toddler hydration and the nuanced choices parents must make to ensure the well-being of their little ones.
The article emphasizes the vulnerability of sick toddlers, highlighting the heightened risk of dehydration due to their lower overall fluid volume compared to adults. It rightly points out the distressing experience for parents when faced with a sick child and the limited options available to alleviate their discomfort.
The significance of maintaining hydration or rehydrating slowly in the case of vomiting is underscored. The caution against giving too much liquid at once resonates with the delicate balance that needs to be maintained. The article rightfully advises against common drinks that might exacerbate the situation, such as sports drinks, fruit juice, soda, and vitamin water, citing their potential to upset the stomach and disrupt electrolyte balance.
The focus on identifying symptoms of severe dehydration in children, including loose skin, sunken eyes, dry lips, decreased urination, lethargy, confusion, and lack of tears, demonstrates a commitment to empowering parents with crucial knowledge for timely intervention.
The article goes on to provide actionable advice on what not to give a sick toddler, presenting a comprehensive overview of popular yet unsuitable choices. It then transitions into a discussion of suitable alternatives, emphasizing the role of water and oral rehydration solutions. Breast milk is highlighted as a viable option for those still breastfeeding.
The mention of Pedialyte, while recognized as an over-the-counter rehydration solution, draws attention to its high sugar concentration. This sets the stage for introducing HYDRATE as the recommended electrolyte drink for toddlers, backed by its all-natural, organic composition with minimal sugar content sourced from dehydrated lemon juice. The suggestion to freeze HYDRATE for a popsicle or slushy offers a practical approach to make hydration more appealing to children.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for parents, combining practical advice with a nuanced understanding of toddler hydration. The emphasis on prevention through daily hydration reinforces the idea that proactive measures contribute significantly to a child's well-being, even during bouts of illness. Armed with this knowledge, parents can navigate the challenges of caring for a sick toddler with confidence and efficacy.
