How long does it take to become dehydrated?

Jeremy has been throwing up every 20 minutes for the past 2 hours. Nothing else is coming up, he is just dry heaving now. He is taking little sips of water but nothing big at all. When do I start to worry?

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

ooooh, I'd run to cvs and get some pedyalite.... maybe call the ped's # for guidance. I don't have any experience on this front yet, but I've read numerous posts on how fast they can become dehydrated

good luck

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

BTDT several times (including the dehydrating part )

Anyway the try not to just give water, you need to give a liquid with sugar, etc in it. Best is pedialyte, but my DD hated it and my ped said anything (gatorade, diluted juice, ginger ale, cola, ice pops, etc.) If your DC will tolerate food (broth, soup, jello, ice pops, ice chips, etc try those.)

You only need to get about a few oz (don't remember the exact number but it wasn't alot) an hour in to keep from dehydrating. I used a medicine dropper when she wouldn't drink.

One other bit of advice the nurse gave me was to wait at least 20 minutes inbetween sips and vomitting to let their stomach "reset"

Hope that helps and your DC is feeling better soon

Message edited 12/17/2008 9:43:40 PM.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

Posted by Charly

One other bit of advice the nurse gave me was to wait at least 20 minutes inbetween sips and vomitting to let their stomach "reset"

Hope that helps and your DC is feeling better soon

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

Shoot, I have pedialyte but no gatorade. He doesnt stop throwing up long enough for him to "reset". We are going on hour #3 now. How fast can it happen without him drinking cause I cant get him to take anything even the beloved ice pop

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

use a medicine dropper and squirt it in.

I don't know how long - it took my DD quite a while. Just make sure he has wet diapers, tears and a wet mouth. If he stops go to the ped or ER.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

hes almost 4 no diapers, hasnt peed in a while. He did drink at dinner, of course 15 minutes later he left a present for the birthday boy whos party we were attending

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

sorry I didn't realize he's 4

give him some time his vomitting should subside and he'll sip. You said he had some water. Can you send someone out for gatorade or gingerale?

Just keep an eye on him - his tears, mouth, etc.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

I could send DH out Or I could go LOL! I don't do well with the bodily functions Maybe I will get him some but then again DH thinks he is fine and can wait till morning since he wakes up, dry heaves and goes right back to sleep. Of course I worry he has no fluids

Message edited 12/17/2008 10:10:35 PM.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

He should be fine overnight. My DD started vomitting around 4pm and didn't get sent to the ER until almost 4 the next day and she was only 1.

Just keep watching and trying to offer fluids.

HOpe he feels better soon. Night night

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

Is he crying? Are there tears? I would just keep trying the sips of water & ice pops - anything he can keep down.

Does he have a fever? That is one way he can dehyrdate quickly & you wouldn't notice it as much.

Call your ped if he become lethargic. Do you have a straw? I know sometimes sipping is easier to get fluids down.

Hope he's better soon.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

Posted by nrthshgrl

Is he crying? Are there tears? I would just keep trying the sips of water & ice pops - anything he can keep down.

Does he have a fever? That is one way he can dehyrdate quickly & you wouldn't notice it as much.

Call your ped if he become lethargic. Do you have a straw? I know sometimes sipping is easier to get fluids down.

Hope he's better soon.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

no peeing and vomit it can happen as quickly as 24-48 hours.
have dh run out-the IV is a be-yotch.

Re: How long does it take to become dehydrated?

same thing happened to my ds and he started throwing up bile (yellow) after only 3 hours which is when we took him to the er at 3am (just in time.) it happens fast, be careful! pedialite makes ice pops too.