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.
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.
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
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:
5Serving 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!
There you have it mama! My favorite DIY homemade pedialyte recipe for sick kiddos.
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