When recognized in the early stages, mild to moderate dehydration can be corrected with home treatment measures. Home treatment of mild or moderate dehydration involves controlling the fluid loss and replacing lost fluids.

Adults and children age 12 and older

If you become mildly to moderately dehydrated while working outside or exercising:

• Stop your activity and rest.
• Get out of direct sunlight and lie down in a cooler environment, such as shade or an air-conditioned area. Elevate your feet. Remove all unnecessary clothing.
• Drink a rehydration drink, water, juice, or sports drink to replace fluids and minerals. Drink 2 qt(1.9 L) of cool liquids over 2 to 4 hours. Adults should drink at least 10 glasses of liquid a day to replace lost fluids.
• Rest for 24 hours and continue fluid replacement. Rest from any strenuous physical activity. Total rehydration with oral fluids usually takes about 36 hours, but most people began to feel better within a few hours.

Children ages 1 through 11

• For older children with dehydration, oral rehydration solution (ORS), half-strength orange juice, or plain water (if the child is eating food) may be used to replace lost fluids.
• Allow your child to drink as much fluid as he or she wants. Encourage your child to drink extra fluids or suck on Popsicles. Children between the ages of 4 and 10 should drink at least 6 to 10 glasses of liquids to replace lost fluids.
• Cereal mixed with milk or water may also be used to replace lost fluids.

Newborns and babies through 1 year of age

Don't wait until signs of dehydration develop to replace lost fluids.

• If you breast-feed your baby, continue at more frequent intervals to replace lost fluids.
• If you use a bottle to feed your baby, increase the frequency of feedings to make up for lost fluids.
• Use an oral rehydration solution if signs of mild or moderate dehydration develop; the amount of ORS your baby needs depends on his or her weight and the degree of dehydration present. You can give the ORS in a dropper, spoon, or bottle.
• If your baby has started eating cereal, you may replace lost fluids with cereal. You may also offer rice cereal, strained bananas, and mashed potatoes if your child has had these foods before.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate the symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• More serious signs of dehydration develop.
• Decreased alertness develops.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feelings of faintness when you rise from lying to sitting, or from sitting to standing develop.
• Decreased urination develops.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.