Need to know how to make homemade Pedialyte? Just use this easy DIY reicpe made with 4 simple ingredients!
Don’t run to the store for fluids when you have sick kids. You’ll save time and money if you make this recipe at home instead.
This sure is a popular topic! This article was updated in May 2020 with additional information and several alternative recipes. The original content is all still there.
If you’re looking for more variations of these DIY Pedialyte recipes you’re in luck! I recently added several new ones to the end of this post with additional tips on how to make the best recipes.
Note: This DIY recipe was given to me by a pediatrician, and I’ve used it for years. I’ve always loved that it uses ingredients that are already in my pantry.
Feel free to ask your own doctor if you have questions about the recipe below.
This recipe is absolutely fine for adults to use. I’ve even had it when I’ve been sick! But I also shared a homemade electrolyte drink recipe. Be sure to check it out!
Rehydration drinks for sick kids. I had no idea this would be such an important phrase in my life.
My kids are two and three, and both of them were up all night last night with a terrible stomach bug.
Why does it seem like every time a child has the stomach flu (also known as gastroenteritis) it’s absolutely the sickest he or she has ever been?
The vomiting, and the resulting exhaustion and fussiness, makes for a very unhappy home.
Rehydration drinks for kids
My biggest concern when kids are sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea is dehydration.
While I know we need to be careful to manage fluid intake with vomiting, I’m always anxious to start getting little ones rehydrated. It feels like the first step to feeling better!
At least I can make it at home to save money and save a trip to the drugstore!
This wasn’t our first run-in with a bad stomach bug, but I still wish I wasn’t able to say that I’m an experienced mom in this category!
There are different recommendations according to various doctors and sources, but If there’s one rule for stomach bugs I always try to remember, it’s this:
Don’t even think having little ones drink anything until they haven’t vomited for 2 hours. After that, we move on to ice chips or tiny sips of water.
If they keep that down for 20 minutes, then they’re likely ready to start drinking more water, electrolyte replacement drinks like Pedialyte and Gatorade, or any one of the alternative recipes below. This will get you on track to rehydrate your sick kids.
About Pedialyte
What does it do?
It quickly replenishes lost fluids and electrolytes to help prevent dehydration and help you feel better fast. (source)
I have good news! you can get the same benefits of the store-bought product with my homemade recipe.
Why is it important?
In addition to replacing the water the body needs, it restores electrolytes from sodium chloride (salt) and other minerals that are lost during vomiting or diarrhea.
Electrolytes help our cells absorb and retain fluid, so drinking a beverage that helps replace those electrolytes will rehydrate the body faster than drinking water alone.
Pedialyte Ingredients
Other parents may not like the name brand or store brand hydration drinks because of the ingredients found in them.
After all, the brand is made by Abbott, a huge pharmaceutical company. While the products are responsibly labeled listing all sorts of information on what’s in the bottle, the ingredients themselves are complex.
Take a look at the image above, pulled from the bestselling Mixed Fruit variety.
If you can’t read that list in the image, I apologize. It’s the biggest I could get it without it starting to get blurry. I’m also listing them all here for your convenience.
Brand name Ingredients
- Water
- Dextrose
- Citric acid
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Potassium citrate
- Salt
- Sodium citrate
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Zinc Gluconate
- Yellow 6
There have also been several comments about vitamins. Those comments state that my homemade recipes don’t have enough vitamins.
According to the corporate website, Pedialyte does not contain vitamins.
Keep in mind that the purpose of electrolyte-replacement beverages is to rehydrate, prevent dehydration, and replenish vital minerals and nutrients lost during diarrhea and vomiting. It is not to provide vitamins.
Of course, if you have any medical concerns about your little one or yourself, please don’t hesitate to seek the advice of a doctor!
What can Pedialyte be Used For?
Any electrolyte rehydrating beverage can be used when a child is experiencing one or more of the following conditions:
- Dehydration from vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Travel
- Exercise
- Heat exhaustion
How to use this recipe
You can use this recipe in the same way that you use the store-bought product.
Here are a few tips:
As I stated above, make sure your child (or adult) hasn’t vomited two hours before giving them any fluids.
Drink the rehydrating beverage in small sips, waiting about 15 minutes between drinks to ensure she can keep it down. The serving size can be increased from small sips as tolerated.
You can serve this recipe cold or at room temperature. If your child prefers ice in their beverages, you can easily pour it over ice.
How much should I use?
You can usually follow the same instructions for homemade pedialyte that you do for the store bought product.
32-64 ounces of fluids each day may be needed for proper hydration.
Be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions or concerns, especially if your child is sick for more than 24 hours.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes. This recipe should be mixed up and kept in a pitcher. Store it in your refrigerator and use it within 3 days of making it.
Who can use this recipe?
This recipe was shared to use with children over one year of age. You can ask your doctor if you want to give it to a child under a year old.
Adults are also free to use this recipe! You can try our electrolyte replacement beverage recipe for different flavors, but you don’t have to.
Finally, I’ve had people email me and ask me if this homemade recipe recipe is safe for pets. Especially cats and dogs.
I’ve looked up a lot of information and all the ingredients in the recipe are safe for dogs and cats. All the same, I would absolutely ask a veterinarian before giving a pet this or any other new food.
Why I make homemade Pedialyte instead of buying it
I have two problems with both the name brand and the generic equivalents:
- It’s expensive
- My kids just don’t like it
I’ve bought several different forms and flavors of both generic and name-brand rehydrating drinks.
Every time, my kids have had one sip and refused to drink any more. That’s why I was so happy to learn that I could make a homemade version myself!
This recipe was given to me by a pediatrician a long time ago, and I’ve had great success with it. So I wanted to share it with all of you! I think it has just the right balance of sugar with the minerals thirsty bodies need.
I made a half batch of the first homemade recipe this morning and my kids drank it right down. I then made a second batch that they drank throughout the day.
Admittedly, I haven’t tried the other recipes below, but I wanted to include the alternatives so you can try variations to find one that your little ones will drink.
Here are some products that can help you make and serve this recipe:
Bormioli Rocco Hermetic Seal Glass Pitcher With Lid, 68 Ounce
Jell-O Cherry Gelatin Mix 3 Ounce BoxGunter’s Pure Clover Honey Bears, 12 Oz (Pack of 2)ARC International Pitcher, 16 Ounce
Note: scroll down to get a printable card of the first (and most popular) recipe.
How to make Homemade Pedialyte
If you can, make this recipe in a pitcher instead of a bowl. It’s so much easier to store, pour and serve.
I prefer an airtight glass pitcher: this one for large batches, and this cute little glass pitcher for the recipes that only require 2 cups of water.
Another nice perk of making it in a pitcher: it’s easy to pour into popsicle molds if you want to make DIY Pedialyte popsicles.
Any of the recipes below can be used to make popsicles, too!
Need ice pop molds? Check out these two:
Mini Silicone Ice Pop Molds With Sticks and Drip GuardsSilicone Ice Pop Molds with Lids, Set of 8
I especially love the little mini popsicle molds with drip guards. They’re so great for toddlers.
Scroll down to print this recipe.
Homemade Pedialyte Recipe
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 3 1/2 cups cold water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Jello gelatin powder/mix, any flavor (I used cherry)
Instructions: Mix salt, sugar and Jello with hot water until dissolved. Stir into the 3 1/2 cups of cold water and serve. You can refrigerate this for up to 3 days.
The above recipe is the one you’ll get when you print the card at the end of this article.
If this recipe doesn’t work for you, I have six recipes for you to try below!
Alternate Kid-Friendly Rehydration Recipes
1. Rehydration Drink Recipe with Kool-Aid
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons sugar or honey (babies can’t have honey until they’re at least 1 year old)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid
- (optional) 1 pinch NoSalt or Nu Salt salt alternative.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Use your child’s favorite Kool-Aid flavor to make it easier for her to drink.
About NoSalt and Nu Salt: These salt alternatives add potassium, another electrolyte mineral. You don’t need it for this recipe to be effective, but you can put it on your shopping list so you have it for next time.
2. Pedialyte Substitute Recipe
- 2 quarts water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup orange juice
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
3. Natural recipe:
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- Juice from 1-2 fresh lemons or 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey (substitute sugar for babies)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pour the hot water, salt and sugar into a pitcher and stir until dissolved. Stir in the cold water and lemon juice. Serve in small amounts. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
4. Organic Pedialyte recipe:
- 3 tablespoons organic sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon organic salt
- 1 cup organic juice, any kind
- 1 liter water (1 liter = just over 1 quart)
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Serve in small amounts. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
5. DIY Recipe:
- 3 cups hot water
- 1 tablespoon clear light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- pinch of baking soda
- pinch of salt.
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir until they’re thoroughly mixed. Like the other recipes, you can store this mixture in the fridge for 3 days.
6. Make Your Own Rehydration Recipe
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons himalayan salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Morton salt substitute
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 teaspoons lime or lemon juice
Mix all ingredients in a 1 gallon container and stir until completely dissolved. Fill the remainder of the container with enough cold water to make a full gallon.
(thanks Alan!)
Your turn: Have you made this before? Share your recipe below!
Homemade Pedialyte Recipe
This is easiest Homemade Pedialyte recipe! Learn how to make this electrolyte replacement at home so you can have it ready for babies, toddlers, kids, adults and even pets!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Jello gelatin powder, any flavor
- (optional) 1 pinch NoSalt or Nu Salt salt alternative
Instructions
- Mix salt, sugar, Jello and optional salt substitute with 1/2 cup hot water until dissolved.
- Stir into 3 1/2 cups of water and serve.
Notes
Store your homemade pedialyte in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
About NoSalt and Nu Salt: These salt alternatives add potassium, another electrolyte mineral. You don't need it for this recipe to be effective, but you can put it on your shopping list so you have it for next time.
Here are a few alterations you can make to this recipe:
Organic homemade Pedialyte, skip the Jello and use organic sugar and salt.
All natural alternative to Pedialyte: Sugar is natural, but, if you prefer, you can also substitute Agave, 100% maple syrup or honey for the sugar in this recipe. Sea salt may also be used instead of table salt.
Note: do not use honey if you're giving this to a baby.
Pedialyte popsicles: You can make homemade Pedialyte popsicles by pouring the solution into popsicle molds and freezing it. Smaller popsicles freeze faster.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 32Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 453mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g
Looking for more health tips? See how honey and cinnamon have been known to help the common cold!
Heather says
Im sooo going to save this. I got thru that stuff like water, my kids love it. Thanks.
Nancy says
Half glass orange juice with half glass water and 1/2-1 teaspoon salt. Mix and drink.
CF says
Orange juice is very acidic. My baby gets diaper rash. Can I substitute with apple juice? Is most any juice ok for this recipe?
Marie Boyle says
My doctor used apple juice in his recipe instead of orange juice. It worked fine. Pedialyte was too expensive so I made my own. With good results on three children. This is recipe number 3.
Mary Popa says
My only suggestion is of extreme importance … When using the salt it’s much healthier to get the pink Himalayan salt or is it pink Himalayan sea salt! It has all the minerals and electrolytes that you need! Where as common table salt and regular sea salt does not! Please change your recipes to include the pink Himalayan sea salt which is much more effective thank you
Max says
Salt is sodium chloride, regardless of the kind. Get out with your baseless promotion.
Kathy says
Himalayan sea salt has about 1/3 less sodium & many Many trace minerals!! It is way more natural to your body. And it can really help
stop high blood pressure!
Don says
Read something max, anything, there is a difference. Ask a physiologist.
Patricia Bennett says
I agree that it is best to use the hymalain salt. After all its for a sick child and your goal is to get minerals & hydrating salt into them.
ScientistChick says
“the extra minerals in pink Himalayan salt are found in such small quantities that they are unlikely to provide you with any health benefits whatsoever.” Healthline.com
Terrie says
Check with your Peditrician on the age safe for your baby to have honey.
Janet says
We don’t call it Pedialyte in the UK, but rehydration salts/drink.
What I use is a pint of fruit squash (diluted to taste), quarter of a teaspoon of salt, quarter of a teaspoon of bicarb, little extra sugar and a soluble vitamin c and zinc tablet. Cures all ills!
Raelyn Sullivan says
what is fruit squash?
Cait says
Juice.
Lexy says
I am sooooooo making this. My 1 yr old has been pukey the past couple days & I don’t like feeding them things like store bought pedialyte. I like to prepare everything him & my 2.5yr old eat & drink too.
Sheilagh says
I used Coca Cola syrup for my 10 month old breastfed daughter who had a stomach bug (bad liquid poo and threw up even breadmilk). Ask your pharmacist if you can’t find it on the shelf. It’s a miracle!! And super inexpensive!
Sheilagh says
Oops. I meant breastmilk. Sorry.
Wendy says
My mom used to give me the jello version all the time when I was kid. I remember eating a lot of unhealthy food back then–white bread, sugar cereal, etc. As an adult, I wrote that remedy off as just another junk food item I wouldn’t give my own kids when I had them. Great to see it actually does help. I’ll consider it next time my daughter is sick. Thanks for posting!
Kathryn B says
I’m going to save this! Thanks for the great recipes.
My doctor also let me know that water down Gatorade also works like Pedialyte. We always have powder Gatorade at our house so I make a batch of Gatorade and then in their cup I do half of their cup water and the other half Gatorade.
Julie says
Gatorade has too much sugar for kids and should not be given. It’s not even useful to athletes really! Money grab by big corporations and your Dr. should not be recommending it.
Michelle says
Julie, the sugar is there for a reason. It is an osmolyte, which allows the body to move the electrolytes (potassium, sodium and chloride) across the cell membrane. What’s more, is that Gatorade uses dextrose (pure glucose) for part of the sugar, meaning that it is absorbed immediately, high in the GI tract, so it doesn’t wind up drawing water into the bowel as sucrose can.
Please educate yourself about basic physiology before telling others what to do.
Joy says
Yasssss!!! THIS!! Not only does she have no clue about that which she is speaking, but she was rude & condescending about it! Sugar is a frickin electrolyte which is supposed to be in *dun dun dun* ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT drinks. It also helps with protein folding and building other tertiary cell architectures. Why do people have to be so ugly?
Joy says
(I suppose that I should quantify that sugar being classified as an electrolyte is a generalization and referring to it as an osmolyte is more scientifically accurate. Heaven forbid I don’t specify this or someone like Julie goes on me.)
Andy says
So, I came here looking for a less expensive replacement for pedialyte, but it appears that this recipe left out key ingredients as being “bad”.
Where’s the source of potassium? An electrolyte drink that only provides sodium but not potassium is not ideal by any means, since that’s very unbalanced.
Also, as you’ve said, sugar is actually an important part of the equation, electrolyte drinks are far less effective without it.
Looks like I’ll have to search elsewhere… 🙁
Deborah H Gill says
The potassium is in the OJ. I have my own formula but I recommend that you look at everything on the pedialyte bottle and come as close as you can to matching the levels of sugar, potassium and salt.
Cait says
because you, yourself are a licensed physician right? Sugar is NOT an enemy. It is essential in moderation and especially in this situation. Calm down and let people share how they are helping and healing their children. That’s what we are all here to read about. Find a recipe without some sort of sweetener included… I’ll wait… and even if you find one, I’d challenge you to get any sick two year old to consume ANY of it.
Angie H says
Kathryn, I know it’s been years since you posted this and you may not see this message, bit I’m wondering if the Gatorade blend (half water, half Gatorade) is ok for a 19 mth old. She’s only had diarrhea for a day and a half now. Thanks, Angie
Emily @ Random Recycling says
Love this. Plus I find it can be hard to find pedialyte without the food dyes in it which we try to avoid.
Elizabeth says
Honey is unsafe till at least 2…. so just be careful but I love all the other ideas! My son is currently sick so this might be a today idea.
Julie says
No age 1
OuttaMyMindBRB says
Julie you can be rude when answering and wrong!….:
Honey should never be given to children under 1 and it’s NOT RECOMMENDED for children UNDER 2 YEARS OLD.
Honey contains toxic bacteria that may cause infant botulism, a serious form of food poisoning that can end in death. There is also a risk of pollen allergies developed from honey.
RESEARCH JULIE RESEARCH before you answer, as others before me have said.
clothespin says
The reason that the real stuff has artificial sweetener in it is because sugars draw liquids into the GI tract – not what you want at this point in time. I’ll probably stick to the packaged stuff cause the last thing I need is to fuss with something else when my little one is this sick!
A couple of ideas though, good for homemade or store bought. Fluids are CRITICAL to keeping a child alive. Obvious but… my 3 year old nearly went to the hospital because I thought she was getting enough liquids… but she wasn’t. If your child hasn’t peed in 12 hours, you need to pump the fluids into her.
if you kid won’t drink it (and it is pretty vile)… get a large syringe and use that to force feed the kid. I had to put a rag under her chin and pumped it into her. Maybe 1/4 cup every 1/2 hour or so… up to the recommended dose on the bottle. It’s more than you think! Yes, she cried but soon she peed (after a couple of hours) and we avoided the huge trauma and bill of the ER. (The doc was going to make us go otherwise…) After a few rounds of the syringe, she learned that the “medicine juice” makes her feel better… and now will happily drink it out of the juice boxes that they sell. Because of our near miss, I now give this to her whenever she has a fever or any sort of GI troubles… it might be expensive store bought, but is is MUCH cheaper than the hospital!
Amanda says
This is nothing compared to Pedialyte. Where are the vitamins? Where are the electrolytes? This is just sugar/salt water with flavoring!
Larry Bear says
Thank you or should I say AMEN. Just compare the labels folks. One major missing ingredient is the Potassium.
John Turner says
Agreed! 250cc’s of actual pedialyte provide 253mg sodium, but also 192mg potassium, 25mg phosphorus, 25mg calcium and 2.5mg magnesium. It’s those other salts, all quite bitter, that kids find yucky; sodium chloride and bicarbonate they’ll always lap up. The sugar in typical pediatric fluid is also a scant 6g per 250cc’s — that’s one and a half teaspoons a cup, about a quarter the concentration typical in a fountain soda. It’s best to use dextrose/glucose, often sold as such at drugstores, but if you can’t find that you can dissolve hard candy — it’s got quite a lot of glucose in it, and none of the pediatric issues that honey brings.
Mom says
Electrolyte drinks are supposed to be watered down salt drinks! Salt dissolved in water is the whole point! That’s what electrolytes are. They typically have potassium, as well. My daughter is 19 and has a condition where her blood pools in her arms and legs and her heart stops beating causing her to pass out. Gravity sends the blood back to her heart to restart it. These supposedly simple drinks are life savers for her!
Cheryl says
Does she happen to have POTS? My nephew was recently diagnosed with it.
Jamie says
Our pediatrician said not to waste time or money on any electrlyte drinks, just give them water. Artificial sweeteners cause the drawing of water into the GI track, I’m not sure why pedialyte is claiming otherwise on their website. Buy maybe the amount they have is minimal. My children started having diarhea really bad when I was letting them have crystal light fairly regular. Doc said to give them water and sugar drinks & they were better in 24hrs. Also, though, if you have the stomach bug, Doc said to avoid sugars. The bacteria that causes the stomach virus feeds on sugar.
Sharon D says
NO! Water alone can wash out all the salts your brain needs to function. My step grandson was ill and they just kept feeding him lots and lots of water. He had a seizure, went into a coma and died! When they measured his salts, he had only 13g. Minimum to sustain human life is 25. It was the water intoxication not the flu that killed him.
lapdog2020 says
Use stevia, or erythritol is natural. It’s better for the body, the same stuff diabetics use.
The product is called swerve, and it’s very sweet. Will not spike your blood sugar levels, as bad.
Thea says
I’ve been making #3 for years, except I add some color-free unsweetened kool-aid. My kids don’t like the flavor of watered down orange juice, but they will drink it if it has the kool-aid in it.
emma says
use SEA SALT not just table salt per a Dr.recommendation
Shan says
Why would anyone give their sick kid MORE sugar? That’s ridiculous. Dehyrated kids don’t need koolaid and jello…they need electrolytes. Try coconut water. It is NATURE’S pedialite. It has tons of naturally occurring electrolytes. And it’s all natural…unlike koolaid, refined sugar and jello.
Jen says
EXACTLY!
Carley says
Coconut is also a laxative so it’s not always a good option when a child is already having problems keeping liquid in.
Lizzy says
I agree 10000000%!! And not to mention the natural part of coconut is not good for the heart and blood system entirely nor for some individuals out there so its best to do it in moderation small parts of it. A good amt would be 2-3ml and thats when they’re NOT sick just to try out to see how they do with coconut oil in general as youd feel comfortable doing either once or a few times- it took once for me and my blood pressure changed quick! My blood gene was triggered which is a blood clot disorder. Some things deem to be good for us but in all some of these awesome remedies and foods arent so great for some people especially our children. When we do drinks like this especially electrolytes- do not use regular iodized salt nor even if its considered to be kosher. It’s best to spend the extra few dollars and get the pink Himalaya sea salt in which oxygenates the blood system, the lungs then heart. That salt lightly clings onto the tract in which allows our body to absorb h20 a ton better then it all mixes together helping our system to get better internal oxygen and hydration, even athletes do this to stay hydrated. That salt believe it or not used in moderation is even good for the heart and is the best alternative instead of any other salts out there. Since I purchased a Himalaya salt lamp my health and breathing has improved and so has my husband plus four children- especially my third daughter- she no longer depends on a nebulizer for her breathing due to less dust and allergens in the air and surfaces. Pretty awesome how it works! I know my gram as babys did the whole sugar water which I personally wouldn’t do now but in all- us three kids were NEVER rarely EVER sick with how she did things! We would get a cold in the beginning of the fall and then allergies once right into spring and that was it. Nowadays we have pro and pre biotics available and our omegas etc for kids including vitamin C supplements and thats exactly what my kids get each day plus a daily complete vitamin. So far from last summer til now only two has gotten a cold and they lasted two days flat due to the remedy of Braggs apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, organic honey, cayenne pepper at times then ginger in a shot glass taken down then bananas with honey and cinnamon as a lil treat. Bam gone! Anyhow my baby is going to wake up soon and ive gotta be on track..lol ✌Much love to you all!
Andi says
I used recipe #3 a couple days ago, only with unflavored Kool-Aid. It worked well….but the next day she had diarrhea and a really bad diaper rash.
Marybeth Hamilton says
Andi, I’ve never heard of unflavored Kool-Aid. I think diarrhea, and the rash that usually comes with it is pretty common after a bout of stomach sickness. I’m not a doctor, but I don’t think Pedialyte, (homemade or otherwise) would affect diaper rash.
Brooke says
I was wondering if the crystal light pakets for water bottle would work, instead of using the jello?
Marybeth Hamilton says
Brooke, I’m 99% sure the Jello is only used for flavoring and some added sugar to help mask the salt, but I don’t know if there’s anything in Crystal Light that little ones shouldn’t have.
Kelly says
Crystal Light gives *me* diarrhea. I would never give it to a kid, especially one with GI issues.
Jayden says
I believe that crystal light contains artificial sweetener which isn’t good.. It’s zero calories because the body doesn’t recognize it as a food
Sarah says
I think these recipes are probably right on. They need a little sugar especially if they have been loosing a lot of fluid and not eating. There also is probably a lot less sugar in this than in Gatorade and the sugar helps with rehydration too. I do wonder if there is a way to get them a little potasium in there too? I this way Gatorade may be superior. Some people were misinformed. The stomach bug is going to feed off of any food a child eats, you can’t starve them, that’s just ridiculous. Also, if I can avoid buying Pedialyte or the no-name equivalent I will. it is expensive and I have an attitude of providing what I can homemade to my children, as long as they still get what they need. In the past I have bought gatorade on sale and given them that with extra water when they are sick. It’s a good thing to have on hand, like other medicines. Thanks for the recipes, definitely a good thing to keep in mind!
JMama says
Just thought you might like to know that you also need to add some potassium to the mixture. Start with 1/8 tsp. or less. The easiest way is “No-Salt” salt substitute. You actually need considerably more of it than you do salt. We Americans actually have the salt/sodium and potassium numbers flipped. We get as much potassium as we need of salt, and as much salt as we need of potassium. (Potassium is very important for brain, muscle and intestinal functions)
I remember drinking lots of liquid jello when I had tonsilitis as a youngster. It’s still something I crave when I’m sick.
lori says
I tht the pedialyte had alot more vitamins then tht….wow…my mom use to give us coke and gatorade….when we were sick w the bug…when we could hold down the coke which it helped w the acid in ur stomach then she wld giv us gatorade….it helped…
Rosie says
Our pediatrician advised us to always have a small bottle of the cheapest RED cordial we could find on hand for tummy bugs.
Not for general use, just for tummy bugs.
Something to do with the red colouring to kill the nasty bugs.
I goes against everything we believe (Artificial everything and white sugar Uurghhh) But it does work.
Lindsay says
Decide for yourself:
https://abbottnutrition.com/products/pedialyte-liters
Brook says
People. This is not a debate. All the lady is trying to do here is offer suggestions. No need to badger her with points on why you disagree. Just read it and use it or throw the idea in the trash. You don’t have to be all nah nah nah nagging because thats what most of you sound like. Just saying! Also if you have too much potassium it can kill you!! If your electrolytes get too off balance it will kill you!! Adding a little sugar is good because kids like sugar which means they’ll actually drink it! And if your sugar gets too low you open a whole new door of issues! I’m not just speaking from online info I work in a blood laboratory and these tests are ones I do everyday. So either use it or lose it but keep the arguing opinions to yourself. It helps no one but yourself.
Jody says
Exactly I am going to try this for my 3 year old. No matter what you choose be it water,Pedialyte homemade or store bought,Gatorade. The bug flu or diareah will take it’s course. If wanting potassium you can purchase powder potassium or eat a banana. Stop attacking this kind woman whom shared this alternative. She provided 3 recipes one uses baking soda which has sodium bicarbonate that is effective like potassium.
macy Brock says
What about using xylitol to sweeten? It won’t affect their blood sugar and their liver like sugar and (processed) honey will, plus, it is good for growing children’s teeth!
Joanne says
My daughter is now nine years old, I wish I would’ve had these recipes when she was 18 months old and we had to rush her to a small-town emergency room while on vacation at my family’s cottage. The ingredients listed in the recipe are in regular stock at the cottage! Hours and hours spent in emerg that night with a lethargic and unresponsive toddler was terrifying; turns out, she was just extremely dehydrated due to illness and the nurse yelled at us for not force-feeding her fluids. After being force-fed a syringe (of what I believe was Pedialyte) my daughter perked up and then proceeded to eat two Pedialyte freezies (after refusing the juice-form).
Ever since that episode, I have given my daughter diluted, clear Gatorade or orange Lucozade, since she hates the taste of liquid Pedialyte. I am aware of the sugar content, but it works and is usually the only fluid she will take while ill with fever and/or stomach bug. We don’t purchase sugar-filled juice in our home, she is allowed one litre of 100% Oasis juice per week, otherwise she drinks water or herbal tea – that’s it.
Thank you for posting these recipes, I am putting them on an index card and adding them to my family’s first aid folder 🙂
Dee Dee Sterling says
My husband and I are missionaries in Russia. I am also an RN. I use the following recipe and have been very thankful for it on several occasions. It has literally been a lifesaver for my children on the mission field.
Homemade Electrolyte drink
8 tsp. Sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 liter water
1 cup of juice (for flavor)
Mix well until salt and sugar dissolve. Drink within 24 hours.
Chris says
Thank you for sharing these! I havn’t made homemade recipes for my kids, but I have used gatorade and pedialyte as popcicles. I pour it into little dixie cups, put in a popcicle stick, and then pop them in the freezer. They can be thawed out when need to be used, or eaten frozen. My kids like them frozen, as it numbs the tounge a bit before they take any other medicine.
chris m says
so how much does this recipe make? is it for a single serving at a time or more?
tinagleisner says
What a great idea, and while I’m creating some blog posts on emergency kits for storms like this week’s hurricane, I might also start a home first aid post with links to things like this recipe as I used it lots & just gave my son, a new Dad, some cans to keep in the house.
Leslie / Cute and Peculiar says
Thank you so much for these recipes. #3 worked like a charm. I actually blogged about it and linked to you. It was my first time on your site. Glad I found it. Thanks again
https://cuteandpeculiar.blogspot.com/2012/11/sick-day-and-pedialyte-recipe.html
mlclyongs says
I’d suggest using half table salt and half salt substitute in any of these recipes. Most salt substitutes are potassium chloride; replacing lost potassium is also very important for rehydration.
Elaine says
I agree. My VET said to use 1/2 teaspoon of salt substitute (like no salt) and 1/2 teaspoon of salt pr one gallon of water. He said I could also substitute the salt for baking soda.
I noticed there is also ZINC in the store drinks and noticed another comment that someone put in a zinc tablet. I think that is a good idea.
This should be used if your doctor/vet recommends that you use it. usually in cases to avoid dehydration from diarrhea and/or vomiting. It will save you a lot of $ as Pedialite is $5.00 for a 1 liter bottle.
nicole says
I really don’t see how these are great alternatives.
Sugar ,jello,Kool Aid all these things are horrible for you.
Marybeth Hamilton says
I understand where you’re coming from, but illness trumps plenty of my usual parenting concerns 🙂
Personally, my worries about sugar intake fall to the wayside when my little ones are sick and in need of hydration.
Monica says
What about prayer to Jesus mixed with hydration (however, you can get it in their mouths). That works for us! I have even used vitawater (kiwi strawberry flavor). It has electrolytes and vitamins.
Marilyn Simpson says
In reading all the comments I notice that they are all about care of children. As a note to all you folks who are now or soon will be caring for elders, they, too, need this magic potion when they are ill and for the same reason. The visiting nurses and later the hospice nurse all had me giving my dad Pedialyte. He liked it about as well as your children did….but he could be reasoned with. I even gave him some when he was on a stomach tube…followed by a plain water flush (no complaints about taste then)! I sure wish I’d known about a homemade version then.
Mandy says
Just for the record…table salt DOES have potassium in it. I made some for my 2 1/2 year old and so far she’s been able to keep it down and she’s getting extra fluids to help her feel better. If you don’t want to make it for your child…then don’t. If you find yourself in a pinch, like I am, with a sick toddler and no car sometimes you do what you have to do.
Patricia Riesett says
Some people just need to learn not to be so judge-y of others. Like you said, you do what you have to do to help your child feel better
HardestyMom01 says
Thank you for posting these recipes. I used the first one months ago for two of my daughters when they had a stomach virus. It worked! i had tried everything and nothing seemed to work, but before I made the call to the Md I remembered seeing recipe #1 and tried it. In less than a few hours they were up and playing. I made them take the homemade pedialyte two more times that day and they never threw up again after that.
schrodie says
Okay, for those asking about the potassium: there is some potassium in the third recipe that uses diluted orange juice. OJ is a pretty good potassium source. An 8 ounce glass of OJ has 13% of one’s daily potassium allowance (for an adult, anyway). Orange juice is acidic and has a lot of sugar so this is why it’s diluted. If a child or adult isn’t eating because of the GI upset, it’s necessary to get carbs in somehow, and the sugar in the juice provides a little bit of the needed carbohydrate for energy. It’s not like the patient is on this routine for life– but just long enough to get over the acute stage until it’s time to transition back to regular meals.
Please do not freak out about the sugars in these hydration drinks, because they’re necessary if someone isn’t getting other nutrition. I use this (or a similar recipe) as “bicycle fuel”. I’m an avid cyclist and I often carry a bottle of “bike fuel” along with my plain water to replace the ‘lytes that I lose through sweating, especially in the hot summer. I started doing this after a very long ride in 108 degree heat. I drank lots of water, but in the process I diluted out my potassium and sodium through sweat and only replacing the water. Not good! After my ride, I felt very weak and soon passed out! I also had horrible leg cramps. Turned out that I was very low in potassium. Fortunately I recovered very fast as soon as I ate and drank some high-potassium food like potato and Low-Sodium V8 (has potassium chloride instead of table salt). Within minutes, I began to feel LOADS better! From that point on, I started to carry some “bike fuel” on every ride over 35 miles if the temps are over 80 degrees. Of course, I wasn’t vomiting or having diarrhea… but a dilute mix like this offered frequently will help a sick kid or adult to get better (or feel better) much sooner than plain water alone, and it may go to work more quickly than solid food which must be digested first. When I’m running low, I can actually feel this stuff going to work as I perk up and any leg cramps fade away.
Christine B says
Thank you. I won’t purchase pedialyte anymore since they now include an artificial sweetener. That is the last thing we need to be giving to our babies or kids ever! Manufacturers put it in everything, sooo frustrating, constantly reading labels.
Rachael says
I didn’t have time to read every single comment, so I’m not sure if someone mentioned this already, but orange juice can have a laxative effect. If your child has diarrhea, I wouldn’t recommend this.
Chris says
What exactly is the baking soda used for in #3
JENNIFER FUSELIER says
I have had diahrrea for 3 days and it went total water. More water I drank the worse it got. I don’t have a car to get to the store so I looked for a home remedy. I came across this one. I used #1 and added a 1/2 tsp more salt and 1 tap baking soda. It has helped me alot. Thank you for this post. Will be using this from now on.
Cari says
Just wanted to say this post saved my life today… all 4 members of the family started puking within 30 minutes. A couple glasses of recipe #2 and everyone was able to get some sleep
ALAN says
I have been experimenting with this for a short while. My recipe for a lightly flavored electrolyte drink is…
In 1 Gallon Container:
1 Cup Hot Water
1 1/2 Teaspoons Himalayan Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Morton Salt Substitute
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Honey
4 Teaspoons Lime or Lemon Juice
Combine all ingredients and stir until completely dissolved. Fill the remainder of the container with enough cold water to make a full gallon. Refrigerate.
Martha says
Thank you for this recipe! You’ve included a vital ingredient that nobody else does ( the salt substitute is actually Potassium), and critical when trying to maintain electrolyte balance!
Karen Anspach says
Is this one for kids too?
Anita says
You have to be careful that ADULT drinks are comparable to the children’s drink.
That’s the reason Drs Don’t tell you you to give brands like Gatorade etc because the amount(s) are for the Adult body.
Peggy says
Thank you all very much for your recommendations. My husband, sister, niece and I have contracted COVID-19. It’s hard to deal with, no energy, no appetite, etc. I’m going to try one of these, and recommend to my sister and niece. It sounds exactly like what we need to help us gain our strength and get on the road to recovery.
Phillip Yul says
Where’s the potassium you stupid million ad-scrollover bitch?