A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe (2024)

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In my opinion, every mama should know how to make homemade pedialyte. It can be made quickly from ingredients that you already have in your pantry and fridge. Plus, the last thing you want to do with a sick kiddo at home is load everyone up to head to the store.

A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe (1)

Can you make your own Pedialyte?

Being sick and needing to take medicine or eat a restricted diet is never fun for a little one.

As a mom, you know that when your child is sick or dehydrated that it’s really important for them to eat or drink something in order for their body to maintain the proper level of electrolytes.

Electrolytes are minerals that actually have an electrical charge. When they are out of balance due to dehydration or malnutrition (like when you are sick) the levels can become too high or too low.

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This can create a dangerous situation, especially for kids. An electrolyte imbalance can cause headaches, muscles spasms, and dizziness.

What most moms don’t realize is that you don’t have to spend extra money and purchase the version you find at the store.

Instead, you can make pedialyte at home.

Follow this super easy recipe to make your own re-hydration drink that tastes much better than the store bought stuff.

Related Article: 5 Simple Immune Boosting Tips to Keep your Child Healthy

DIY Pedialyte Tastes Better

I can remember visiting the pediatrician as a new mom with a sick kiddo who was in need of fluids fast. I also remember the quick and easy solution the doctor offered – Pedialyte.

Personally, I had never tasted the stuff but I knew that it came in different colors and had a cute little character on the box – so it must taste great right?

Wrong!

As soon as the stuff hit my child’s lips it was spit out in protest. I was totally confused.

Perplexed, I decided to taste it myself……

Ugh! Yucky stuff!

I felt SO bad for trying to force my little one to drink it when she didn’t feel well. The stuff tastes horrible!

Who knew? Not me! Why hadn’t the doctor mentioned that part? Dang doctors!

What I needed now was to find something that actually tasted good so that my dehydrated child would drink it.

So, what is a mom to do? Well, I did what I always do – started searching on Pinterest!

The Perfect Homemade Pedialyte Recipe for Kids

I found a ton of different recipes for DIY electrolyte drinks.

Many of them were based off of the World Health Organization’s recommended recipe for Oral Rehydration Solutions.

I was surprised to learn that in many places around the world rehydration drinks are commonly made at home. You just have to know what you are doing.

To be effective, a homemade pedialyte solution needs to contain:

  • Sugar or starch as the major glucose source
  • Some Sodium (salt)
  • And some Potassium

Here is a simple recipe that you can make at home.

That actually tastes good and your child will drink.

Easy Homemade Pedialyte Recipe

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe

A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe (3)

This is a quick and easy recipe for a homemade rehydration solution.

Prep Time5 minutes

Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 cups of water
  • 6 teaspoons of sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ cup orange juice***

Instructions

    Mix everything together in a large pitcher or mason jar until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved and store in the fridge!

    ***The orange juice is key to improving the flavor, otherwise it just tastes like sweet/salt water. Be sure that your kiddo likes orange juice and you can add a bit more if they want the OJ taste stronger.

Notes

Can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

*** Also small amount of Kool-Aid or flavored Jell-O could be added instead of the juice to improve the flavor. If your kids are used to really sugary drinks and sweets this is probably the way to go.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 31Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g

I am not a health care practitioner. ALL information is purely for informational and educational purposes. Information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA, meaning information and statements regarding health claims on this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All blog posts are solely my personal experiences and opinions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion. The writer{s} or publisher{s} of this site are not responsible for any adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or procedures undertaken hereafter. Please contact your health care provider for information on treating and preventing illness.

Did you make this recipe?

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DIY Pedialyte Tips and Tricks

  • Give small sip frequently (like a teaspoon as a time)
  • The solution should only be stored for 24 hours, so make new batch if needed for longer than one day.
  • The DIY Electrolyte Drink does not stop diarrhea or vomiting. It just maintains the essential levels for hydration and electrolytes.
  • Be sure to give a serving after every loose bowel movement.

Can you freeze Pedialyte?

Kids love popsicles and slushies and they are typically one of the few things they will eat when they don’t feel good.

You can freeze homemade pedialyte in popsicle molds easily.

To make a pedialyte slushie, pour the solution into an ice cube tray and freeze. You can then place them in a blender or use a hand held mixer to create the consistency of a slurpee.

This can also be fed by the teaspoon. (This is the method that my kiddos prefer)

Always be sure to contact your pediatrican before serving any rehydration solution to your child.

So, the next time your little one is suffering from tummy trouble save yourself the trip to the store. Toss these common pantry items together to create your own homemade pedialyte recipe that actually tastes good enough to drink!

Related Article: How to Teach Your Kid to Avoid Nasty Germs at School or Daycare

We would love to hear from you! What are your mom hacks for helping your kids to feel better fast? Please comment below!

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There you have it mama! My favorite DIY homemade pedialyte recipe for sick kiddos.

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A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe (6)
A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe (2024)

FAQs

A Simple Homemade Pedialyte Recipe? ›

Pedialyte®, Fruit: MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Sodium (sodium chloride, sodium citrate), potassium (potassium citrate), chloride (sodium chloride). NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Water, dextrose, citric acid, natural and artificial fruit flavour, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, FD&C yellow No. 6.

What are the ingredients in Pedialyte? ›

Pedialyte®, Fruit: MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Sodium (sodium chloride, sodium citrate), potassium (potassium citrate), chloride (sodium chloride). NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Water, dextrose, citric acid, natural and artificial fruit flavour, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, FD&C yellow No. 6.

What is a homemade substitute for Pedialyte? ›

I can give you a recipe for an amazing, all-natural, better-than-Pedialyte electrolyte drink to rehydrate your sick child (or yourself) in just three words: water, sugar, and salt. That's it. That's the magic formula to replace commercial Pedialyte.

What is a homemade electrolyte solution for dehydration? ›

Ingredients: Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar. Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt. One Litre of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled - 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 ml.)

Can I just add salt to water for electrolytes? ›

During exercise or sweating, not only water but also electrolytes like sodium are lost. Adding a small amount of salt to your drinking water helps replenish these lost electrolytes, promoting better water absorption and preventing dehydration.

What is the fastest home remedy for dehydration? ›

How to treat dehydration at home
  1. Take small sips of water.
  2. Drink electrolyte-rich beverages. ...
  3. Drink barley water, which can help with heat strokes and restore electrolyte balance in the body.
  4. Drink rice water, which is rich in salts and vitamin B, which rejuvenates the body and provides energy.

What is the best drink to rehydrate yourself? ›

Drinking water, isotonic sports drinks, or skimmed milk are all ways to rehydrate. Dehydration is when there is an insufficient volume of water in a person's body. It can occur due to sweating, illness, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary issues, or not drinking enough water. Dehydration can range from mild to severe.

Can I make my own electrolyte water? ›

Larson's electrolyte water
  1. 8 ounces of coconut water.
  2. 8 ounces of a fruit juice of your choice.
  3. About 1/16 teaspoon of salt.
Aug 2, 2023

What's better than Pedialyte? ›

Kinderlyte Electrolyte Solution

Kinderlyte actually has more sodium per liter, which could be incredibly beneficial, particularly for children who have had excessive vomiting or diarrhea. Like Pedialyte, it contains both zinc and chloride.

Is there a natural Pedialyte? ›

You can make your own oral rehydration solution at home instead of buying pre-made Pedialyte at the store or pharmacy. You'll need table sugar, table salt, and clean water to make Pedialyte at home. You can also buy oral rehydration packets and mix them with water to create your own oral rehydration solution.

What is the most natural Pedialyte? ›

Coconut water is the easiest Pedialyte alternative and a natural way to help your dehydrated child. Full of fluid-balancing potassium and sodium, it's nature's solution for sick tummies. Coconut water is low in sugar and high in electrolytes, which is the perfect recipe for your sick child.

What drink is equivalent to Pedialyte? ›

Both Pedialyte and Gatorade are electrolyte-based drinks that are sometimes used interchangeably to rehydrate yourself, but they differ slightly in their hydration approach.

How do you turn water into electrolytes? ›

Sea Salt

A pinch of salt — ideally, sea salt or Himalayan Pink Salt — can quickly boost the electrolyte content of your water. Real salt isn't just salty. It contains electrolytes in addition to Sodium, like Potassium and Magnesium.

What can I add to water to make electrolytes? ›

5 ways to increase electrolytes in your water
  1. Squeeze in some natural lemon juice. ...
  2. Adding a small pinch of high quality, non-processed salt will add sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. ...
  3. Drinking coconut water will replenish high amounts of potassium, magnesium and sodium.

What is the best natural drink for electrolytes? ›

Healthy electrolyte drinks include coconut water, milk, fruit juice, smoothies, and sports drinks. MedlinePlus. Fluid and electrolyte balance.

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