XP: when to worry LO is dehydrated?

jewerner · February 2012

LO has been puking up most of his meals since last night, Hes still been alert and having soiled diapers but i'm beginning to worry being that weve entered non office hours for the weekend, plus hes only 6 pounds being born at 36 weeks.

what should I look out for over the weekend to know to call the emergency line? Nervous ftm here, TIA

frasey · February 2012

well as you mentioned, one of the obvious signs is diapers. The other thing you can watch for is his skin. If you kinda pinch it and it doesnt spring back to normal right away, that can be a sign of dehydration. Compare it to when you pinch your skin. Hopefully this makes sense!

Have you tried feeding him less, but more often? Dunno if that would help, just a random suggestion.

Hope everything is OK! Does your doc have an emerg line or something you can call?

liberty95 · February 2012

At the pedi yesterday I was told, in addition to diaper count, to check skin turgor if I suspect any problems ( we are having some feeding difficulties and weight gain issues over here). Basically, heathly hydrated skin will bounce right back if you pinch it, dehydrated skin will stay pinched or " tented" for a bit before bouncing back...basically it has a slower rebound. He demonstrated by pinching some belly skin. Hope that helps!

ghdst1 · February 2012

The fact that he is still eating is a good thing. Means that even though he is vomiting he is taking in some nutrients. The wet diapers is the most important thing that he is still having them every time he gets a feeding. THat is what Pedi told me with DS.

My Pedi has an after hours call line for evenings and weekends that goes to the local children's hospital. One of the nurses then gets back to you. does your Dr have something like that? If not, I would call the local children's hospital to speak with one of the nurses.

shortsweet&sassy · February 2012

as PPs have said wet diapers are the most important thing. My baby has been spitting up more lately and my Dr said that most babies have some sort of feeding issues since their bodies are still trying to figure out how to swallow, digest, burp and all that fun stuff.

TheLovingWife · February 2012

Also look for a sunken soft spot.

Lena122 · February 2012

I had a similar concern with DS about 2 weeks ago because he was throwing up after every meal. Pedi said that as long as he continued to have wet diapers and he didn't have a fever that he should be okay. The sunken soft spot is also an indicator but be careful with that one because the soft spots can sink in if they're propped upright for awhile too.

LoveBeingMama · February 2012

I agree with the other posts. At one week, they should have at least 6 wet diapers, and if that is happening, things are good.

As far as spitting up after every meal, my DS1 spit up constantly, and now DS2 does the same thing. Both gained weight well and were never dehydrated, but I was very nervous about it with my first baby. My SIL pointed out to me that even though it looks like a lot when they spit up, it really isn't that much. Take a teaspoon of water and pour it out on your counter or table. It looks like a lot, but really isn't. Same thing with spitting up. It looks like a lot, but most of their food really stayed down.

stephchris0321 · February 2012

I'm glad that you asked this question. I was also concerned about this too being a FTM.

P.S. Thinking of you and I hope you're healing ok.

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