Dehydration

Exclusive chest/breastfeeding provides your baby with all it needs to grow and be healthy but occasionally babies get dehydrated when there are problems with feeding. Getting support in the first week of chest/breastfeeding is important and can prevent dehydration and also help you watch for other concerns, like your baby taking in less fluid than they lose through vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or sweating.

Dehydration can be mild and easily corrected, moderate, or severe and become life threatening, but serious concerns are rare and babies are usually fine. If you think your baby may be dehydrated, contact your health care provider for advice. For more information on dehydration, how to tell if your baby is dehydrated, along with prevention and treatment methods, please see the resources below. 

• Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation - Immediate postpartum infant weight loss
• Healthy Families BC - Signs of a Good Feed
• About Kids Health - Dehydration