The Best Homemade Pedialyte for Toddlers

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Learn how to make homemade Pedialyte for toddlers with simple and natural ingredients! This homemade Pedialyte recipe is free of added sugars and only requires three ingredients for you to make it. 

Raise your hand if you grew up on Peidalyte. I know I sure did.

Pedialyte and Sprite were always the go-to when we had the stomach flu. Now I cannot imagine giving that to my kids when they are sick.

Over the years all of us have started learning more and more about nourishing foods for our bodies, especially when sick. People started realizing that sports drinks and all these other flavored drinks were not the best things to consume. I still cringe when I see people drinking Powerade when they’re sick. 

What are electrolytes and why are they important?

There are four main minerals in electrolytes

• Sodium chloride
• potassium citrate
• Magnesium citrate
• Calcium Citrate

Electrolytes perform many functions in our body. Electrolyte imbalance can be caused by too much or too little of a certain mineral.

• Sodium controls fluid levels and aids nerve and muscle function.
• Potassium supports heart, nerve, and muscle functions. It also moves nutrients into cells and waste products out of them while supporting your metabolism.
• Calcium helps blood vessels contract and expand to stabilize blood pressure. It also secretes hormones and enzymes (proteins) that help the nervous system send messages.
• Chloride helps maintain healthy blood levels, blood pressure, and body fluids.
• Magnesium aids nerve and muscle function. It also promotes the growth of healthy bones and teeth

How do Electrolyte drinks help with sickness?

Electrolytes are essential for hydration in our body. The last thing we want is a dehydrated child that ends up in the hospital. 

Our body can work better when we remain hydrated because it has the proper nutrients and minerals to function. If we are dehydrated, our body won’t be strong enough to fight of the sickness, potentially making it last longer. 

As you saw above, electrolytes play major roles in our bodies, and this homemade Pedialyte for toddlers will be something your sick kiddo will want to drink. Have you ever met anyone who wants to drink plain water when sick? I sure don’t!

Signs of dehydration:

According to Kids Health, these are the common signs of dehydration in kids. Dyhration in young children can look different than dehydration in adults. Young children also dehydrate quicker than adults.

• a dry or sticky mouth
• few or no tears when crying
• eyes that look sunken
• in babies, the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head looks sunken
• peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usual
• crankiness
• drowsiness or dizziness

Seek medical attention to prevent severe dehydration in your child if you suspect they are dehydrated. 

Why Should I Make My Own Electrolyte Drink?:

This is Made with simple ingredients:

These ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store. You can even find them in small-town grocery stores, which makes it easy to go out and get these ingredients if you have a last-minute sickness and are not prepared. 

It Still contains a boost of electrolytes:

All the ingredients in this homemade Pedialyte for toddlers have the essential minerals we need to stay hydrated. The ingredients are high in things like vitamin C and potassium naturally.

Flavor kids will love without all the added ingredients

There are no artificial ingredients or artificial flavors in this homemade electrolyte drink recipe. This homemade Pedialyte for toddlers has flavors from natural juices that kids love, while also providing nutritional value to them when they have sicknesses like the stomach bug. 

It’s Cheap:

The ingredients in this homemade Pedialyte for toddlers are inexpensive. The ingredients can also make multiple batches of this homemade recipe. 

Best of all, you can use this drink not just for sick children, but for hot days outside as well!

Materials Needed to Make Homemade Pedialyte for toddlers

• Measuring cup and spoons
• Jar to Store your homemade Pedialyte in
• ​Popsicle molds if you want to make popsicles out of this

Ingredients in homemade Pedialyte for toddlers:

• Coconut Water
• Quality Salt such as sea salt. Do not use table salt as it does not have the same mineral quality. 
• Organic juice such as orange juice or apple juice. 

Tips to get your child to take electrolyte replacement drinks:

• Make popsicles
• Encourage small sips

How to make homemade Pedialyte for toddlers

Mix together:

• ​2 cups coconut water
• 2 cups of water (filtered is best)
• 1 cup of juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Store in a jar in the fridge for up to one week. 

What is the electrolyte content of this homemade Pedialyte for toddlers?

This pedialyte alternative can vary depending on what type of juice you use. The following has estimated nutrition facts with orange juice added (serving size is 1 cup)

• Sugar- 8g (no added sugar)
• Potassium- 350-450mg
• Magnesium- 34-50mg
• Sodium- 146mg

Your mineral content can vary depending on the type of juice, coconut water, and even water you use. Check your nutrition labels for the ingredients you buy to determine your correct amount of electrolyte intake!

Final Thoughts:

We don’t have to subject our young children or ourselves to artificial flavors and colorings, not to mention added sugar, when we are sick. This easy recipe for DIY pedialyte will help you in a pinch at home and keep you hydrated!