Water Intoxication in Babies: Signs and Causes That Parents Should Observe

water intoxication babies parents observe

By Staff Reporter , Parent Herald Jun 17, 07:00 pm

They say anything that is too much can be harmful, even water.

Water intoxication is a condition when someone drinks too much water.

Health experts explain that too much water can cause sodium, potassium, and calcium to dilute.

Water is essential in keeping one's body healthy. Adults should drink at least eight glasses of water. Considering that this is the case, parents sometimes want their babies to drink plenty of water once allowed by the pediatrician.

According to experts, babies that are under six months should not drink water. When they start drinking water in their sixth month, it should be in small amounts only.

Parents should be careful since water intoxication may also happen in babies

Signs of Water Intoxication in Babies

Since babies cannot speak yet, the signs of water intoxication should be watched out by parents.

Vomiting could be the first sign. However, since this could also be a sign of something else, parents should carefully observe their children. Here are some of the other signs of water intoxication:

if the face, legs, and arms of the baby are swollen,
if there are any behavioral changes
if the urine is clear, and the diapers piled up to more than 8, and
if the baby is dizzy

Causes of Water Intoxication in babies

There could be instances when water intoxication happened because parents have overlooked daily tasks. Here are some of the tasks that parents should also do carefully:

The ratio of formula milk to water is off.

Sometimes, because the baby formula is a little expensive, parents think that overdiluting the formula milk will be okay. When the milk that the baby drank is overdiluted, this may also dilute the sodium levels in the blood.

Experts say that it would still be best if the package instructions of formula milk will be strictly followed.

Baby Sips to parents' water

An innocent sip to the water intended for parents might not sound too bad, but that is not the case. Even if the baby already reached six months, their intake of water should still be minimal.

Giving Other Liquids

Unless instructed by the doctors, babies should not be allowed to drink other forms of liquid except for milk. When they start eating solids, that is the only time that they should be allowed to drink additional water.

When babies drink too much water, it can cause a loss of sodium. When the body is losing sodium, it affects brain activity.

Seizures, coma, or brain damage can happen to babies if they experience water intoxication. Worst, water intoxication may also lead to death.

That is why when parents notice the signs of water intoxication in their babies, it would be best to seek professional help. This way, the water intoxication may be prevented or treated at an early stage.