[dak10954]

My 5 month old has his first ear infection and has been prescribed antibiotics. I know as an adult when I feel ill, I lose my appetite a little... My baby has been eating a little bit less than normal, but he is still eating. When does it become a concern if his appetite doesn't return to normal? I am just concerned that he is not eating enough and can become dehydrated. For a 5 month old, how many wet diapers during the day is considered "normal"?

- First Time Mom

[N0help4u]

Pedialyte is good to make sure a baby does not dehydrate. Also when the antibotics are done you should give him probiotics for infants because antibiotics take out good essential bacteria as well. My daughter had to take a lot of antibiotics as an infant and she ended up with yeast infections.

[macksmom]

Your baby should start feeling better a few days into taking the antibiotics. I would give it about 5 days before they start feeling totally back to normal, along with appetite.

You said your infant is only eating "a little bit less than normal", I wouldn't be concerned about offering any supplement unless you see a drastic change in eating (like refusing a full bottle, or you see a decrease in wet diapers). At this point you could offer a 2-4oz bottle of pedialyte to prevent dehydration, but I would suggest not offering this more than once a day, because your baby make like the change in fluids (from formula) and start refusing the formula bottle thinking that they will get tastey pedialyte instead!

About 3-4 wet diapers a day is okay, because as your baby gets older you will notice that they may not have many wet diapers throughout the day, but the AMOUNT of wetness in each wet diaper is more than before.