The short answer
Look at the nappies, the eyes, the mouth and how your baby is behaving. Fewer wet nappies, dark urine, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, few or no tears when crying, a sunken soft spot on the head, and a baby who is drowsy or unusually irritable are signs of dehydration. Keep breastfeeding or feeding, and give oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small sips often. A baby who is drowsy, floppy, has cold hands and feet, mottled or pale skin, or fast breathing needs a hospital now.
See a paediatrician by videoMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
The signs to look for
The NHS and NICE list these as signs of dehydration in a baby or young child:
- Fewer wet nappies than usual, or no urine for many hours
- Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine
- A dry mouth, lips and tongue
- Sunken eyes
- Few or no tears when crying
- A sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head
- Being drowsy, or irritable and not like themselves
Who dehydrates fastest
NICE says these children are at higher risk:
- Babies under one year, especially under six months
- Babies born with a low birth weight
- A child who has had more than five watery stools, or has vomited more than twice, in 24 hours
- A baby who has stopped breastfeeding during the illness
- A child who is malnourished
What to do at home
Keep breastfeeding, or keep giving the usual milk feeds. Offer oral rehydration solution (ORS) as well: buy the sachets at a pharmacy and mix them exactly as the pack says, with clean water. Give it in small amounts often, a sip or a spoonful every few minutes, even if your child is vomiting. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which NICE advises against. The WHO recommends zinc alongside ORS for children with diarrhoea, given as a health worker directs.
Go to a hospital now
These can be signs of shock, a serious complication. Go to an emergency department straight away if your child:
- Is very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake
- Has cold hands and feet, or pale, mottled, grey or blue skin (on dark skin, check the palms and soles)
- Is breathing fast
- Has not passed urine for 12 hours, or a baby has had no wet nappy for many hours
- Cannot keep any fluid down, or vomits everything
- Has green vomit, severe tummy pain or a swollen tummy
- Is a baby under three months with a temperature of 38°C or more
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
How do I know if my newborn is dehydrated?
Count the wet nappies, look at the soft spot and the mouth, and watch how they feed and wake. A newborn who is feeding poorly, has few wet nappies, or is very sleepy must be seen in person the same day.
Can I make ORS at home?
Use pharmacy ORS sachets where you can, mixed exactly as the pack says. The proportions matter, and a mixture that is too salty or too sweet can make things worse.
Should I stop milk if my baby has diarrhoea?
No. NICE advises continuing breastfeeding and other milk feeds.
Can a paediatrician check for dehydration by video?
A paediatrician can ask about nappies and feeds and look at your baby's eyes, mouth, skin and alertness on camera, and tell you whether ORS at home is enough or your baby needs to be seen. Any hospital-now sign means go straight to a hospital.
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Diarrhoea or vomiting, and not sure it is safe at home?
Talk it through with a paediatrician by private video call, with your child beside you. The fee is shown before you pay, and if your child needs to be examined or tested, the paediatrician tells you where and how soon.
See a paediatrician by videoSources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis in under 5s: diagnosis and management (CG84). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Dehydration. NHS. Patient information.
- Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management (NG143). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Diarrhoeal disease. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
Links last checked 29 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.