Home Made Rehydration Drink

I had a question from one of my readers about Pedialite. So I did a little searching to see what I could find. When I was a baby, and when I had my children, we never used Pedialite, instead we used a table spoon of Karo Corn Syrup in a bottle of water. But knowing now, what I know about corn syrup, that probably wasn't the best way to go - it works in a pinch though.

Pedialite and Gatorade are both full of chemicals, sugars and preservatives that you really don't want to give your infant. Plus, they are expensive! So home made options, where you can control the ingredients and their quality, are an obvious better option for most parents.

Here are some recipes I have found over the past few months. I will add more as I find them!


Recipe 1:
Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt substitute (made with potassium chloride)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 package "Invisible" Kool-Aid or other dye free flavoring (optional) 
    • OR 2 teaspoons vanilla (or other) extract

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate. 

Recipe 2:
Ingredients:

  •  1 liter water
  • ½ cup Coconut Water
  • ½ teaspoon Salt 
  • 6-8 teaspoons of sugar
Mix all ingredients & cool.

Recipe 3: 
Ingredients:
  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ tsp real salt
  • ¼ tsp no salt (potassium chloride)
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 2 ½ tsp sugar
Mix all ingredients & cool.

Recipe 4:  In case of diarrhea
Ingredients:
  • ½ to 1 cup precooked baby rice cereal or 1½ tablespoons of granulated sugar
  • 2 cups of water
  • ½ tsp. salt
Preparation:
Mix well the rice cereal (or sugar), water, and salt together until the mixture thickens but is not too thick to drink.

Give the mixture often by spoon and offer the child as much as he or she will accept (every minute if the child will take it).

Continue giving the mixture with the goal of replacing the fluid lost: one cup lost, give a cup. Even if the child is vomiting, the mixture can be offered in small amounts (2-1 tsp.) every few minutes or so.
  • Banana or other non-sweetened mashed fruit can help provide potassium.
     
  • Continue feeding children when they are sick and to continue breastfeeding if the child is being breastfed.

Additional Notes:
  • To much sugar can increase Diarrhea. So use the lowest amount that a child will take.
  • To much salt can increase Dehydration. Always test and make sure liquid is not as salty as tears.
  • You can not add to much water. If it seems to salty, add more water. 
  • Use "Salt Lite" rather than Salt as it includes potassium.

8 comments:

  1. "potassium chloride"

    You want us to put potassium chloride into our kids' bodies? Don't you know what that chemical can do?

    Potassium chloride is a metal halide salt.

    Potassium chloride is used in fertilizer.

    It is used in lethal injections.

    Are these concoctions supposed to rehydrate our kids or kill them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Potassium Chloride is the most abundant form of Potassium naturally found in the human body. It's needed to maintain healthy brain, muscles and metabolic function. Deficiencies (which can be caused by to much sweating, fevers and dehydration) may result in stroke, high blood pressure, sever headaches, intestinal pain, and muscle cramps - as well as other things.

      The intake of Potassium Chloride is needed to sustain life and while natural exposure is best, when dehydration is a risk supplements do become a necessity.

      It's also important to note that both Gatoraid and Pedialite CONTAIN POTASSIUM CHLORIDE. It is listed on their labels as "electrolytes" as allowed by law.

      I would suggest that you do some more research on the subject as clearly you have failed to understand the benefits of this extremely important substance.

      Here is some information to help you start your research. Keep in mind this is only the basics, but I do hope that it helps you understand a little more!
      http://www.livestrong.com/article/483360-potassium-chloride-health-benefits/

      Delete
  2. You SHOULD NOT give fluid immediately after vomiting - you should wait one hour and then give small amount frequently. If vomiting persists you should again wait one hour before giving fluids. If a child especially, cannot keep any fluid down and is getting dehydrated - as evidenced by little to no urine in 8 hours or more, they need to be seen by a doctor, probably in the ER. Pushing fluids can increase vomiting and cause the child to lose not only what they drank, but also other stomach juices and the fluids of the the upper GI - which include bile. Loss of these bile salts can increase risk of electrolyte imbalance which can lead to organ failure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! Is it okay for using 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 liter water? hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  4. if the author of this page is still getting updates I'd love to hear from you. I used your gripe water recipe and now I can't find it! It was awesome! Please post it again! Or send me an email!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry. I am in the LONG process of moving all of my posts from this (and other) blog on to my current blog. The "Gripe Water" post was already moved. You can find it here: http://sabrinambowen.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-make-gripe-water.html

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete

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