This Week’s Question:

“How can I tell if my older child or teen is getting dehydrated?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:

Most parents watch closely for dehydration in babies and toddlers. What many don’t realize is that older kids and teens can become dehydrated too, and it’s often easier to miss.

Because they’re more independent, they may forget to drink, push through illness or sports, or not tell you how they’re feeling.

Why dehydration happens

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. This can happen with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sports, hot weather, or simply not drinking enough during busy days.

Teens are especially at risk because they often ignore early symptoms.

Early signs to watch for

Mild dehydration can be subtle. Look for dry lips, headache, fatigue, dizziness, darker urine, or going long periods without urinating.

A simple rule: if urine is dark or infrequent, your child likely needs more fluids.

Signs it’s getting worse

Moderate dehydration may cause very little urine, fast heartbeat, irritability, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, or muscle cramps. Teens may feel faint or struggle to keep up with normal activity.

At this stage, increase fluids and consider calling your pediatrician.

When to seek care right away

Get medical care if your child has no urination for many hours, repeated vomiting and cannot keep fluids down, confusion, extreme fatigue, fainting, or severe pain. If your child looks unwell, trust your instincts.

What should they drink

Water and oral rehydration solutions are best. Older kids can also use diluted sports drinks. Popsicles and soup can help when drinking is difficult.

Avoid large amounts of soda, juice, or caffeine. Small, frequent sips work better than large amounts at once.

A note about sports

Encourage drinking before, during, and after activity, especially in the heat. Kids don’t always recognize when they need to stop, so remind them to take breaks if they feel dizzy or weak.

Bottom line

Dehydration can sneak up on older kids. Watch urine, energy level, and overall behavior. If your child isn’t drinking, isn’t peeing, or just doesn’t seem right, it’s worth checking in.

Staying hydrated is simple, but it makes a big difference.

Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A