From playful to parched: Spotting and managing dehydration in kids - Be prepared, feel better sooner

It’s a sweltering summer afternoon and your child has been running around outside, cheeks flushed and hair damp with sweat. Did you know kids are more likely to become dehydrated than adults because they tend to be more active and their bodies lose fluid faster?^1,2 The sooner you can spot the signs, the easier it will be to turn things around – early action can stop a mild problem from becoming something more serious.²

Signs of dehydration in children

Dehydration can have many symptoms, which may be easily confused as signs of other illnesses – especially in young children who may not be able to communicate their needs very well. Being familiar with the signs of dehydration is the first step to intervene early.

Mild dehydration may look like:^1,2

Feeling dizzy or light-headed
Dry mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
Nausea or headache
Dark yellow or brown urine
Fewer toilet visits or wet nappies than usual

Severe dehydration signs include:^1,2

Extreme thirst
Unusual tiredness or being less active than normal
Pale skin and sunken eyes
Few or no tears when crying
Cold hands or feet
Faster breathing than usual and a rapid heartbeat
Irritability, drowsiness, or confusion

If your child shows signs of severe dehydration, it’s time to call your doctor or head to the hospital emergency department.^1,2

Common causes of dehydration in children

Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration for several reasons. Illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhoea are more common in kids, and these can lead to rapid fluid loss.^1,2 Therefore, managing hydration for sick kids is particularly important – offering small amounts of fluids regularly is a good strategy.² On top of that, children tend to be more active than adults, often running, jumping, and playing for long periods.^1,2 This increased activity means they lose more fluid through their skin as sweat.

Hot weather adds another layer of risk. Warm days accelerate sweat and fluid loss, and if kids aren’t drinking enough to keep up, dehydration can set in quickly.¹ Younger children may not always recognise or communicate that they’re thirsty, so they rely on adults to offer fluids regularly.^1,2 Being aware of these factors can help parents and caregivers stay ahead of dehydration and keep kids well-hydrated.

What to give dehydrated kids

When it comes to hydration solutions for children, especially for mild-to-moderate dehydration, there are a couple of options. For mild dehydration, regular milk feeds (for infants) and water are important.^1,2 However, water alone doesn’t contain the electrolytes needed to fully restore hydration in more serious cases.

One of the most recommended treatments for dehydration in kids is an oral rehydration solution (ORS).^1,2 An ORS is a scientifically formulated mixture of water, salt, and sugar that helps the body absorb fluids quickly and efficiently.^3,4 Hydralyte is what’s known as a true ORS formulation – meaning it contains the optimal ratio of salt to sugar based on the World Health Organization guidelines for rapid rehydration.^3,4 This makes Hydralyte suitable for use in children of all ages, even in newborns, and great for replacing fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.^1,2,4

Be aware that there are also some drinks that are not good children’s hydration options – specifically, sugary drinks like soft drinks, sports or energy drinks, cordials and fruit juice should be avoided, as the high sugar levels can make dehydration worse.^1,2,4,6,7

Home remedies for dehydrated kids vs commercial solutions

When thinking about how to rehydrate a child, a simple home remedy is apple juice diluted with water to about half strength.⁷ However, the best option for a dehydrated child is a ready-to-use ORS that can be purchased from the pharmacy or supermarket, like Hydralyte.^1,2 This is because ORS are specially formulated to rehydrate faster than water alone, making it an effective option for a dehydrated child.^3–5

A ready-to-use Hydralyte solution offers many benefits:

Takes the guesswork out of good rehydration – Incorrect preparation of an ORS can worsen dehydration.⁷
Multiple flavours available – Hydralyte has a wide range of fruity flavours, making them great rehydration drinks for toddlers.
Multiple formats available – Tablets, sachets, or ice blocks, there’s something to suit every child’s preference.
Easy to bring and prepare on-the-go – For when dehydration moments strike while out and about.

Encouraging kids to drink more

Getting kids to drink enough can be tricky, especially when they’re unwell or don’t feel like drinking. Here are some simple ways to make fluids more appealing:

Make it fun: Use colourful cups, fun straws, or even cups with their favourite characters to make drinking more exciting.
Turn drinks into treats: Ice blocks are a great option for kids who don’t feel like drinking or just want to feel like they are having dessert! Hydralyte’s ready-made ice blocks are an excellent option.
Play with temperature: Some children prefer chilled water or drinks with fun-shaped ice cubes.
Give them choices: Offer a variety of flavours or let them pick their own cup or straw.
Set up reminders: Use a timer or fun chart to encourage regular sips, especially on hot days or during active play. It’s recommended to drink Hydralyte as frequent small sips, rather than a large amount at once.

These small changes can turn rehydration from a chore into something your child enjoys.

When to see a doctor

Babies and young children can become dehydrated quickly, so it’s always best to get help if you’re unsure. See your doctor or go to your nearest emergency department if your child:¹

Is under six months old or has a long-term health condition and you think they may be dehydrated.
Shows signs of severe dehydration, like extreme tiredness, cold hands or feet, or no urine for eight hours.

Keeping kids hydrated and healthy

Most mild dehydration can be managed at home with fluids and the right ORS. By spotting the signs and starting them on an ORS early, you can help your child recover quickly and comfortably – and with Hydralyte’s range of child-friendly flavours and formats, it’s easy to make fluids fun and easy to enjoy for your child.

MANDATORIES

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

REFERENCES

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info: Dehydration. Updated July 2025. Available from: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Dehydration/ (accessed August 2025).
The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. Dehydration in babies and children. Updated May 2024. Available from: https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/dehydration-babies-and-children-factsheet (accessed August 2025).
Wright EM, et al. J Intern Med. 2007;261(1):32–43.
World Health Organization (WHO). Oral rehydration salts. Production of the new ORS. 2006. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FCH-CAH-06.1 (accessed August 2025)
Jeukendrup AE, et al. Nutr Metabl (Lond). 2009;6:9.
Freedman S. Oral Rehydration therapy. In: Mattoo TK, Stack AM, Hoppin AG (Eds). UpToDate, Wolters Kluwer (updated August 2025, accessed August 2025).
Oral rehydration in children [published 2022 Aug]. In: Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; accessed August 2025. https://www.tg.org.au.