Can infants have Pedialyte
Sarah Scott
Published Apr 19, 2026
Pedialyte should not be given to babies under the age of 1 without first talking to your pediatrician. Once opened or prepared, the drink should be refrigerated and consumed or discarded within 48 hours to reduce the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria.
How much Pedialyte do I give my 1 month old?
Start by giving babies 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid. For toddlers and children, give 1 tablespoonful or 3 teaspoons (30 mL). Gradually work up to drinking more. Even if your child vomits some, most of the liquid is kept down.
What can I give my baby instead of Pedialyte?
Six (6) teaspoons of Sugar. Half (1/2) teaspoon of Salt. One (1) liter of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled – (5 cupfuls, each cup about 200 ml.)
Can babies drink electrolyte water?
If your baby is 3 months or older and you think she may be becoming dehydrated, you can give her an electrolyte drink as well.How do you hydrate a baby?
For mild dehydration in a child age 1 to 11: Give extra fluids in frequent, small sips, especially if the child is vomiting. Choose clear soup, clear soda, or Pedialyte, if possible. Give popsicles, ice chips, and cereal mixed with milk for added water or fluid.
Can I mix Pedialyte with formula?
No, we do not recommend mixing Pedialyte with formula. When Pedialyte and formula are mixed together, the nutrient and mineral content of both would change, along with the osmolality. The mixture could also become clumpy and hard for your baby to drink.
How much Pedialyte do you give a newborn?
Spoon or syringe feed 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of Pedialyte every 5 minutes. If your baby is urinating less frequently than normal, you can offer the baby an electrolyte solution between breast-feedings for a short time (6 to 24 hours).
Can you give a baby Gatorade instead of Pedialyte?
For babies over 10 months of age, use: – Gatorade® or Sports drinks – Jell-O® – Popsicles® – Soup broth – Caffeine-free white soda such as Sprite®, 7Up®, or ginger ale. – Apple juice that is mixed with an equal amount of water or Pedialyte®. Note: Do not give red Gatorade.Can I give my 2 month old Pedialyte?
Pedialyte should not be given to babies under the age of 1 without first talking to your pediatrician. Once opened or prepared, the drink should be refrigerated and consumed or discarded within 48 hours to reduce the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria.
How do I get my baby to drink Pedialyte?Electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte or Gatorade will help your child replace both fluids and electrolytes that have been lost. If your child is vomiting, he or she should drink small amounts of liquid often rather than a lot all at once. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon every 5 minutes and increase gradually.
Article first time published onHow do I get my baby to drink fluids when sick?
Offer your child liquids in new, fun ways. Put a drink in a cup they don’t usually use. Give them a straw. Pour some juice in a bowl and have them eat with a spoon.
How much Pedialyte should I give my 4 month old?
As a general rule, your baby can have an ounce of water for each month of age, so your 4-month-old may drink 4 ounces of water a day. With Pedialyte, even quite young babies can safely drink 4 to 8 ounces several times a day to combat dehydration.
How do you keep a baby hydrated when refusing a bottle?
Fluids – Offer More: Age less than 1 year: keep giving formula or breast milk. You can also try ORS (such as Pedialyte). Age more than 1 year: offer chocolate or regular milk, fruit drinks, juice or water. You can also try popsicles.
How do I hydrate my 1 month old?
Water fills the baby up and doesn’t provide any nutrients. Both breast milk and infant formula provide your baby with fluid plus nutrition. If it’s a very hot day or you think your baby needs extra hydration, you can give them an extra bottle of formula or pumped breast milk or breastfeed them more often.
What are signs of dehydration in infants?
- Dry tongue and dry lips.
- No tears when crying.
- Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).
- Sunken soft spot on infant’s head.
- Sunken eyes.
- Dry and wrinkled skin.
- Deep, rapid breathing.
What are the side effects of Pedialyte?
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- gas.
- diarrhea.
- intense abdominal pain.
Can newborns drink water?
Water is not recommended for your baby in his first six months. Until your little one is eating solid food, your baby will get all the water he needs from breast milk (which is actually 80 percent water) or formula. After your baby turns 6 months old, you can start offering a little water.
Is Pedialyte safe?
The bottom line. Pedialyte is an OTC rehydration drink for both children and adults. It’s one of the most effective and safest treatments available for mild to moderate dehydration. Because it contains electrolytes, it’s more effective than drinking only water if you’ve lost a lot of fluids.
How can I stop my baby's diarrhea fast?
- Keep your baby hydrated. Keep breastfeeding if you’re nursing. …
- Ask your pediatrician about electrolyte drinks for babies like Pedialyte. …
- Change your baby’s diaper often. …
- If your little one is eating solid foods, give them bits of foods that may help soothe diarrhea.
Does Pedialyte need to be refrigerated?
When it’s opened or mixed with water, Pedialyte should be refrigerated. If you aren’t drinking it, get it in the fridge because bacteria can grow fast, and the cooler temperatures slow it down. Once mixed or opened, Pedialyte is only suitable for 48 hours and shouldn’t be left out at room temperature.
Does Pedialyte make poop?
It is a laxative that works by drawing large amounts of water into the colon. This effect results in watery bowel movements.
How do I know if my 2 month old is dehydrated?
- Plays less than usual.
- Urinates less frequently (for infants, fewer than six wet diapers per day)
- Parched, dry mouth.
- Fewer tears when crying.
- Sunken soft spot of the head in an infant or toddler.
Can 1 month old baby have ors?
Babies under 6 months of age30 to 90 mL (1 to 3 oz.) every hourOver 2 years of ageAt least 125 to 250 mL (4 to 8 oz.) every hour
What can I give my 2 month old for diarrhea?
- Give your baby breastmilk more often.
- Also, give extra fluid if breast milk isn’t keeping up with the fluid losses. You can use formula or ORS (Pedialyte).
- Solid foods: If on baby foods, continue them. Cereals are best.
Can a 2 month old have Gatorade?
While Gatorade should never be used as a substitute for milk, infants and toddlers can safely drink Gatorade beverages once they are weaned off breast milk or formula and begin consuming food, fruit juices, and other beverages.
What's better than 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.
When can babies drink water?
If your baby is under 6 months old, they only need to drink breastmilk or infant formula. From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breastmilk or formula feeds.
Does Pedialyte help with diarrhea for babies?
Although Pedialyte and other electrolyte solutions are usually recommended when children have diarrhea, it is important to realize that they don’t actually make diarrhea go away. Instead of being a treatment for diarrhea, they are actually given so that your child doesn’t become dehydrated.
Can too much Pedialyte be harmful?
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: dizziness, unusual weakness, swelling of ankles/feet, mental/mood changes (such as irritability, restlessness), seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare.
Is Gatorade similar to Pedialyte?
Although they’re similar, they have slight differences in their calorie, carb, and electrolyte contents. While you can sometimes use Pedialyte and Gatorade interchangeably, Pedialyte may be more suitable for diarrhea-induced dehydration, while Gatorade may be better for exercise-induced dehydration.
What do you feed a sick baby with no appetite?
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are the foods that make up the BRAT diet. These foods are easy to digest and have a better likelihood of staying down than many other foods when a child is sick. Similarly, CRAM is a diet that consists of cereal, rice, applesauce, and milk.