Symptoms of minor to moderate dehydration include:

• Headache
• Thirstiness
• Dizziness
• Sticky mouth
• Tiredness
• Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day
• Older children urinating fewer than 3 times a day or not urinating for 8 hours or more

{relatedarticles}Severe symptoms of a baby or child who is dehydrated can include:

• Crying without tears;
• The tongue or inside of the mouth being dry instead of moist;
• Moving around less than normal, being difficult to wake or being lethargic;
• Eyes that are sunken;
• Consistent green vomit;
• Vomiting for more than 24 hours; and
• Bloody stool.

If your child is experiencing these or similar symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor or take your child to a local emergency room as soon as possible. In fact, if you have any questions regarding childhood dehydration, it's better to ask and find out that you are being a little overprotective the first time, than not ask and have your child suffer.

By making sure your child gets plenty of water through drinking and eating, you can help prevent dehydration and keep your kids healthy and happy.