How to Know—and Respond—When Your Child is Dehydrated

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Here’s a shocking statistic for you: dehydration in children accounts for millions of hospital visits per year. Millions! That made my jaw drop, especially because dehydration is so preventable. With our little ones starting school, sports and a million other activities in and outside of school, and with the weather (at least here in LA) still astonishingly HOT, our kids have plenty of opportunities to become dehydrated. And as parents, it is important for us to understand, recognize and treat any signs of dehydration before it becomes a medical emergency.

I’m working with a wonderful, new company called DripDrop that has created a delicious medical-grade rehydration solution has also coined this convenient acronym: D.R.I.N.K. to help you quickly identify and address dehydration in your children (these are also relevant for adults too!). I will be touring with them as a spokesperson teaching families about the importance of hydrating our kids. I hope you enjoy my tips on my blog over the next few months 😉

If you recognize two or more of these symptoms in your child, it is likely you’ll need to increase their liquids and electrolytes immediately:

  • Drowsiness: Exhibiting greater than normal fatigue or sluggishness.
  • Reduced Tears: Eyes are less shiny or glossy, indicating reduced tears.
  • Increased Thirst: Children are complaining of thirst and have difficulty getting their thirst quenched.
  • No Urine: Urine output is decreased or darker in color.
  • Knuckle Test: If all else fails, pinch the loose skin on the middle finger knuckle; if the skin does not snap back like a rubber band, your child may be dehydrated.

Knowing what to look out for is the first step in preventing this problem. But what if your child doesn’t like water or is picky? Well, luckily for all of us, DripDrop comes in two incredibly delicious flavors: lemon and berry. Simply mix the powder packet with a glass of water or water bottle, and you quickly have a tasty drink that packs a powerful hydration punch. It is small enough to pack in your kid’s lunchbox or backpack or keep in your purse or pocket.  My 13 year old keeps packets in his backpack and baseball equipment bag and I pre-make my 8 year old’s Drip Drop in a water bottle for his lunch. We’ve pretty much ditched the Gatorade and feel good about this new replacement. My sister who’s a cancer survivor lives for DripDrop! She’s dehydrated quite often and now has a great option to turn to during her recovery.

For all you sugar-conscious parents out there, don’t worry! DripDrop is low in sugar but high in other electrolytes like potassium, salts and magnesium that is proven to maintain and improve hydration in your child—fast. Keep this acronym—and DripDrop—in your back pocket, and stay a step ahead of the game and keep your kids hydrated all day, every day!  If you like the product shoot me an email and I might send you some free samples!

The Go-To Mom is a spokesperson for DripDrop. Kimberley Blaine only supports products and services that contribute to the overall well-being of families and children.