Toddler Won't Drink Fluids With the Flu

Why They Get Dehydrated

• The flu can cause dehydration very quickly in toddlers. The body loses water more quickly than normal with fevers alone. Elevated temperature makes sweat evaporate more quickly while the body produces more to try to cool you down. Breath is quicker, also the body's attempt to cool, which means extra water vapors leave through the lungs and mouth. Add in the vomiting that may go along with the flu, and your child is at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Lower the Fever, Keep the Water

• Lowering fever is a key step to staving off dehydration. Keep your child in lightweight clothing and light blankets and the room at a comfortable temperature. If the fever has caused your chills, your child may want heavy blankets but piling them on can prevent the fever from falling. Administer acetaminophen according to manufacturer and doctor instructions for your child's age and weight. Lukewarm baths and showers can help but do not place your child in cold water - this is an old wive's tail and the shock can cause his body temperature to rise even further.

Drink Something, Please!

• Drinking can be tricky if your toddler feels nauseated or can't keep anything down. Try to encourage very small sips. Water is a good choice, but not the most appealing to toddlers and one that has no added value to it. Avoid acidic fruit juices like apple and orange, and instead try a sports drink or electrolyte solution that will replace the salts lost through dehydration. Start with a teaspoon at a time and monitor them for comfort, slowly upping the amount of drink as they can handle it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends working up to 2 oz of liquid per hour, even if vomiting or diarrhea occurs between. If sipping is out of the question, popsicles or ice chips are good alternatives and will also sooth sore throats. If your child isn't nauseate, you might be able to tempt him with a a fun blender drink. Just use a little bit of electrolyte solution along with some ice chips to a favorite fruit -- nothing acidic though -- and blend until smooth.

When They Won't Drink

• If your toddler refuses any of your efforts to get liquid into him, call your pediatrician. The doctor can tell you how long it is safe to wait before bringing him to urgent care or the hospital where an IV will be administered. Even a few sips of water in between vomiting spells maybe enough to stave off dehydration, but refusal to take any liquids will most likely require intervention.

  Call the doctor if you see any signs of dehydration, as detailed at AAP's HealthyChildren.org: Signs of early stages of mild to moderate dehydration in children include, less frequent urination, parched dry mouth, fewer tears when crying, and a toddler's soft spot on his head may be sunken. If you see any symptoms of severe dehydration in addition to the above symptoms, get your child immediate medical attention, advises the AAP. Symptoms of severe dehydration include: excessive sleepiness, sunken eyes, cool, discolored hands and feet, wrinkled skin. Medical attention is required at or before this time to prevent the toddler from entering shock.