Dehydration is when there is not enough water in the body. When kids first get sick with vomiting, diarrhea, or a sore mouth or throat, they might not drink enough and could develop dehydration over time. By giving your child fluids to drink slowly, you can help them avoid dehydration. 

1. Things you'll need:

• Fluids for your child to drink. The best fluid for dehydrated kids is an oral rehydration solution, like Pedialyte^® and Enfalyte^® (and many stores also have a store brand). You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. If your child doesn't want oral rehydration solution, just pick a fluid that you know they will want to drink.
  
  If you breastfeed your child, you may continue. If your child is feeding less than usual, also give the rehydration fluids.
  
  For formula-fed babies, continue to offer your baby formula. If your baby doesn't want a full feeding or is vomiting, give your baby smaller, more frequent feedings. Don't add extra water to the formula.

• A small medicine cup, a medicine syringe, or a spoon to give the fluids with. 
• A clock, a timer, or another way to keep track of time. You might use the timer on your phone.
• A way to keep track. Tracking on a piece of paper or a note on your phone will work fine.

2. Go slow. Give your child a small amount of fluid every 5 minutes or so and make a note to keep track.

• Babies younger than 1 year can start with 5–10 ml (1–2 teaspoons).
• Kids older than 1 year can start with 15 ml (1 tablespoon).

3. Set a timer as a reminder to keep going. Some kids might enjoy making it a game. For example, if your child is listening to music, every time they hear the title or chorus or a new song starts, it's time to take a sip.

After your child has gone 2 hours taking sips without vomiting, you can stop using the timer and give them larger amounts of fluid to drink. 

4. Be ready for common challenges, like if your child:

• Refuses to drink. If your child refuses a few doses, take a 15- to 20-minute break and try again in a little bit.
• Needs a nap. A short nap is OK. Just wake them up to drink after an hour or so.
• Has vomiting. If your child vomits, take a 15-minute pause before trying sips of fluids every 5 minutes again.

Your child:

• won't take anything to drink for more than a few hours
• vomits more than 2–3 times in 24 hours
• has vomit that's bright green, red, or brown
• shows signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, peeing less often, or no tears when crying
• doesn't seem to be getting better

Your child is very sleepy or isn't responding to you.