DIY Electrolyte Drink: Natural Pedialyte Recipe For Babies & Adults

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DIY Electrolyte Drink: Natural Pedialyte Recipe for Babies & Adults

Here is a DIY natural electrolyte drink recipe alternative to Pedialyte for baby, kids & adults. It doesn’t get much simpler (or effective!) than this.

  • Written by Genevieve Howland
  • Updated on May 27, 2024
I can give you a recipe for an amazing, all-natural, better-than-Pedialyte drink to rehydrate your sick baby or child (or yourself) in just four words.

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. You’ll find the recipe for that below.

On this page…

  • What is electrolyte drink pedialyte?

  • Pedialyte Nutrition Facts

  • A natural electrolyte drink alternative

  • DIY Natural Pedialyte Ingredients

  • DIY Natural Pedialyte Recipe

  • How to feed your child this natural pedialyte alternative

  • When should you call a doctor?

But first, let’s break down why this combination is such a good natural Pedialyte alternative.

What is Electrolyte Drink Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is a drink formulation that restores mineral loss after vomiting and diarrhea. This drink is especially helpful for little ones and the elderly, who are a more susceptible to dehydration than the general population.

Pedialyte ingredients:Water, Dextrose. Less than 2% of the Following: Citric Acid, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6.

In other words, sugar water with salt and minerals added in, along with a generous dose of artificial colors and flavors. And you can bet that dextrose is derived from GMO corn.

Pedialyte Nutrition Facts

Electrolytes are minerals and nutrients found in the blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. So let’s look at the mineral content of Pedialyte.

  • Sodium, mEq: 45
  • Potassium, mEq: 20
  • Chloride, mEq: 35
  • Zinc, mg: 7.8

Nutrient Data

  • Dextrose, g: 25
  • Calories: 100

A Natural Electrolyte Drink Alternative

It’s easy to make a natural electrolyte drink at home—using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen—that doesn’t have all the junk in like Pedialyte does.

This recipe is 100% in line with the WHO and UNICEF recipe and guidelines for oral rehydration salts (ORS).

DIY Natural Pedialyte Ingredients

  • 6 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 liter (or 4.2 cups) of filtered drinking water

If you’ve got organic sugar and natural sea salt, that’s all the better.

DIY Natural Pedialyte Recipe

Mix all the ingredients above in a clean jar or bowl.

Double check and make sure you’re using the precise amounts of each ingredient. Too much sugar can make diarrhea symptoms worse, and too much salt can also be harmful.

How to Feed Your Child This Natural Pedialyte Alternative

Encourage a dehydrated child to drink as much of this Pedialyte alternative as possible.

  • Children under age 2 need a minimum of 1/2 cup of this drink after each bout of diarrhea.
  • Children over age 2 need a minimum of 1 cup of this drink after each bout of diarrhea.

If you need to, you can spoon feed your child this solution.

This drink will replenish your child with the liquid and nutrients that are lost during diarrhea.

Diarrhea or loose stools normally last for fewer than four days.

When Should You Call a Doctor?

Call the doctor if your sick child:

  • is less than 6 months old
  • has blood in their vomit or stool
  • vomits for more than 6 hours
  • has a temperature above 101.5°F along with diarrhea
  • has stomach pains that continue to worsen

We hope this natural electrolyte drink helps you or your little one…

It’s terrible to see your child struggle with diarrhea or dehydration. We hope this WHO-approved Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) offers some relief.

References

  • UNICEF/WHO Rehydration Project
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Genevieve Howland

About the Author

Genevieve Howland is a doula and childbirth educator. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course. A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 135,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

76 Comments

  1. Feb 13 at 11:18 pm

    Thanks for the recipe! I used Himalayan salt, sugar, lemon, and water. Next time I will use coconut sugar for more electrolytes and minerals 🙂

    Reply
  2. Apr 27 at 10:33 am

    Am I able to use erythritol/monk fruit extract or honey instead of sugar? Those are what I have on hand

    Reply
  3. Apr 16 at 8:07 am

    Dear Genevieve Howland,

    You are right Pedialyte products do not promote healing. My IBS is acting up for the last few weeks. And yesterday, I started to count my steps i was so tired. I have only been eating once a day to give my gut a chance to heal.

    Sugar has been absent from my diet for a few weeks. So I did a DuckDuckGo search for “DIY Electrolyte DRINK”. Wallah! I found your simple bare bones recipe.

    A few hours later, I was able to spread my compost tea that had been brewing for a couple a days. It took me 3-hrs to spread, clean utensils, floor, laundry and myself! But it is done!

    A thousand salutations! Because of you I was able to feed my lawn, bushes and tree blooming with new leaves. I am looking forward to the tree blossoming in a few days!

    Reply
  4. Jun 15 at 4:13 pm

    tried it and it worked!…..Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Mar 13 at 3:26 pm

    I made this recipe, but after looking at the comments, I am wishing you would address the concerns about the potassium and other minerals that are missing.

    Reply
    • Mar 13 at 5:32 am

      You could try this recipe for potassium broth… thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/potassium-broth-for-rapid-recovery-and-rejuvenation/

      Reply
  6. Mar 7 at 10:22 am

    The kind of salt you use matters. You can’t use refined salt, the minerals have been taken out. Celtic Sea salt is the best. Otherwise don’t bother. Refined sugar is a waste as well.

    Reply
  7. Jan 24 at 9:11 am

    I was thinking of how to add electrolytes and remembered that lemons and limes are a good source. So basically make lemon tea using raw honey instead of sugar, if you’re sick for the added health benefits, with the bit of sea salt. Doctors claim not to give raw honey if your child is under 2 though.

    Reply
  8. Sep 9 at 1:14 pm

    Hi. Can you use maple syrup instead of sugar? I don’t have rust on hand

    Reply
    • Sep 9 at 1:44 pm

      I don’t see why not.

      Reply
  9. Apr 25 at 11:53 am

    Is this ok for 5 month old?

    Reply
    • Apr 30 at 11:18 am

      Nursing is the best hydration for a 5 month old.

      Reply
    • Oct 28 at 1:27 pm

      If your child is under six months, do not administer this solution. Consult your pediatrician.

      Reply
  10. Mar 12 at 11:46 am

    Does this diy Pedialyte need to be kept refrigerated

    Reply
    • Mar 12 at 4:25 pm

      I would keep it in the fridge.

      Reply
    • Sep 5 at 11:25 am

      At room temp it’s good for up to 4 hours. Refrigerate after mixing and it’s good for 48 hours.

      Both Sugar and Salt are preservatives, and alone sugar water should last a long time, and salt water also. But mixed together, they both breakdown in a short amount of time.

      The commercial Pedialyte breaks down much faster, I was told by Pedialyte 40 minutes at room temp, and 48 hours sealed and refrigerated.

      Reply
  11. Feb 12 at 12:01 pm

    Does the salt and sugar cover the potassium and other things that pedialite has, exept the chemicals, and dyes of course

    Reply
    • Mar 11 at 3:07 pm

      Sugar actually depletes potassium so this would not be ideal at all. You are much better off giving coconut water mixed with a little bit of sea salt and magnesium citrate

      Reply
  12. Jan 13 at 3:47 pm

    Can I use brown sugar instead of white?

    Reply
    • Jan 16 at 2:18 pm

      You could, it’ll give it a different flavor and color but, I don’t see why you couldn’t.

      Reply
  13. Sep 20 at 7:33 pm

    I will just never understand why, in today’s world of available knowledge, a company as big as Pedialyte would STILL be putting synthetic dyes in a BABIES drink!! If you have any question about whether or not it is bad for you, just go read about it on the internet. This i but one of many statements from a reputable site: “Artificial food dyes are petroleum-derived substances that give color to food. The safety of these dyes is highly controversial.”

    Sucralose is another concern. BAD!!! “Despite its marketing slogan “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar,” Splenda (SUCRALOSE) is not sugar. It is a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, and with detrimental health effects to match.”

    I have used pedialyte but am going to BAN it due to the unnecessary use of synthetic dyes. $ over health = GREED!! My youngest is a 15 year old cross country runner who needs replacements from exertion. I will either figure out how to make my own or pay the price to find a HEALTHY solution!

    Reply
    • Dec 25 at 6:44 am

      I just found that the company real salt out of Utah had an electrolyte drink mix they make without all the junk! I really like it a little salty than the commercial junk but a great substitute if you don’t wanna make your own!

      Reply
  14. Sep 15 at 7:46 pm

    Ty so much for this . for myself and grandbabies. Who dehydrate fast when they have the flu . I’m having my daughter make some as we speak .cause my little one is sick and no money to by pedilite.

    Reply
  15. Sep 9 at 10:34 pm

    If I want to add some flavor to this recipe so my 2 1/2 year old would drink it, could I throw some fruit in with these ingredients and blend? If I do that, do you recommend less sugar in the recipe? Thank you

    Reply
    • Sep 10 at 1:11 pm

      You could absolutely add fruit.

      Reply
  16. Aug 20 at 5:02 pm

    thank you so much imanage to make it with out problems as anything to complicated my head goes potty as i am dum headed and low iq pak

    Reply
  17. Aug 6 at 12:29 pm

    The Pedialyte in our small town all has milk product in it and I can’t have any thing with milk, so was very glad to find this.

    Reply
  18. Apr 23 at 10:56 pm

    Can you use organic agave instead of sugar?

    Reply
    • Apr 24 at 9:50 pm

      Honey or maple syrup could be used. Agave metabolizes a bit differently than other sugars.

      Reply
    • Oct 26 at 7:56 am

      Agave has its own problems, organic or not. Just use sugar and keep it simple.

      Reply
  19. Feb 15 at 6:03 pm

    This recipe has saved many lives in 3rd World Countries. I have seen programs on PBS about this, and how the Mothers are being taught. Mineral salt, as in sea salt, has all the needed minerals..IF you have it.Either way, a life saver!!

    Reply
    • Dec 7 at 9:09 am

      Very true. I am from South Africa and this has been used here for years since I was a child and no ine had died from it, been using it on my kids as well and has always been a life saver.

      Reply
  20. Dec 31 at 5:53 am

    Hi, I’m a grandma the old remedies just don’t work anymore. To me a lot of the nutrition are missing. I tried yours& loved it. Not only did it help my 9mth. grandchild, it also help 10yr. Grandchild. Thank u sooo much???

    Reply
    • Feb 24 at 10:27 pm

      How often did u give it to your baby ? & how much my grand baby is 8 months old 15 lbs , i have her 2oz

      Reply
  21. Dec 2 at 4:51 pm

    I have an intolerance to sulfites and the sweeteners in Pedialyte and Gatorade contains sulfites. I am an adult who is normally regular but ate something at a restaurant 4 weeks ago and still has loose stools. Doctor suggested Pedialyte so I am going to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • May 7 at 6:37 am

      PLEASE TRY SOME PROBIOTIC CAPSULES. BE SURE THEY HAVE AT LEAST 3 TYPES OF GOOD BACTERIA TO FIGHT THE BAD ONES YOU GOT AT THE RESTAURANT. JESUS LOVES YOU!

      Reply
  22. Jul 28 at 4:43 am

    Our best bet is the Natural Coconut water, it’s better to get it straight from the fruit than those in the bottles, we dB don’t know if there are additives.

    Reply
  23. May 30 at 10:53 pm

    This is a terrible alternative to pedialyte. Potassium is a salt, but not Sodium. This is a massive amount of Sodium for a baby and not good for their kidneys. Never use this formula. However, You can use Nosalt, which is Potassium Chloride KCl, and virtually replicate the pedialyte formula with the correct electrolyte. One teaspoon is about 20mEQ.

    Reply
    • Jul 18 at 9:06 am

      About the WHO “recipe”: It looks like it was designed for countries with limited access to better ingredients – perhaps an “emergency” recipe. There was a warning about the danger of too much salt and sugar. Table sugar (sucrose – a disaccharide) is very bad for treating diarrhea. Grape juice or pasteurized honey (diluted) would be better.

      Reply
      • Apr 2 at 8:55 pm

        Absolutely not- the WHO puts into their composition the REASONS why each ingredient is needed. The actual recipe includes glucose but sucrose is allowed if glucose is not available. Both the sucrose and the salt are absolutely necessary to cause water to flux into cells.

        Reply
    • Oct 19 at 2:42 pm

      Where do you buy or get “Nosalt” I can’t seem to find anyone who knows what I’m talking about.

      Reply
      • Jun 8 at 11:17 pm

        I buy nosalt at Walmart…

        Reply
    • Oct 26 at 8:01 am

      I think you misread the recipe. 1/2 a teaspoon in a Litre of water is pretty small compared to many commercial foods and drinks. This is meant to be OR therapy, that is lifesaving, not an everyday drink. Gotta think about the context before pushing Pedilyte as the only option/solution.

      Reply
    • Dec 7 at 9:12 am

      We have been using this in Africa for many years our parents used this as well. Its been saving lives, we dont have all the fancy things they have abroad and make by with what we have, no one had died of this.

      Reply
  24. Mar 24 at 6:45 am

    My doctor told me to find an electrolyte that doesn’t contain sugar, so I called Pedialyte support: 800: 227-5767 and they said Pedialyte does not have sugar. So why are we adding the sugar again?

    Reply
    • May 30 at 10:54 pm

      Dextrose is sugar.

      Reply
    • Apr 2 at 8:46 pm

      Sugar and salt work together to take water into your cells. They’re both necessary for emergency rehydration.

      Reply
  25. Feb 22 at 12:03 am

    Is there something else I can use in place of cane sugar?

    Reply
  26. Feb 3 at 6:20 am

    What if the only sweetener I have is stevia or erythritol?

    Reply
    • Jul 18 at 8:54 am

      Stevia (NO added ingredients) would be better. Consider adding a little plain grape juice.

      Reply
  27. Jan 17 at 11:15 pm

    I was looking for some inspiration and came across your blog. Going to try this out soon. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  28. Jan 5 at 3:56 pm

    Filtered water + Sugar + Sodium is not the same as Filtered water + Sugar + Sodium + Potassium + Zinc + Cloride. Where do I get the last 3 ingredient?

    Reply
    • Apr 12 at 4:06 pm

      Good and unanswered question. This is not a balanced electrolyte solution. Just a salt and water replacement and loaded with sugar. Salt does provide chloride. You’d be better off with Gatorade or Pedialyte which provide more electrolytes but still is loaded with sugar in various forms. Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. For everyday hydration, a normal diet with a fair amount of water is best. For losses due to diarrhea, Pedialyte is going to cover other electrolytes beyond sodium which are lost. Pedialyte is a proven remedy. For dehydration due to exercise/heat Gatorade is a proven remedy. The recipe here is not much more than salt tablets and water which is better than water alone for exercise/ heat loses, but that’s all. The objections to Pedialyte and Gatorade are not resolved with this too simple recipe.

      Reply
      • Jun 6 at 2:35 pm

        Unfortunately both fail when your allergic to citric acid, and this electrolyte (Citrate) works as a buffer by controlling acidity in the body. It helps to prevent cramping and fatigue due to lactic acid production. Once absorbed, citrate converts into three molecules of bicarbonate, which is the body’s natural acidity regulator.

        In addition be EXTREMELY careful to not use Iodized Sea Salt. My health care suggested a similar recipe since I’m allergic to Gatorade and Pedialyte, and have Chronic Conditions Anemia, and mild Congestive Heart Disease so dehydration is very dangerous for me.. Said to use Sea Salt instead of regular salt, so I did, I had it coming out both ends and got a large IV of Ringers even though it was risky but the only way to save me at that point.

        Before you follow this at least look up SOS Hydration, Inc. Choose Tab Science, then SOS+ Science. Not to buy but to educate yourself on WHY this is important, and the science behind the electrolytes needed in your body. Best description I’ve found so far.

        Reply
        • Feb 16 at 10:47 pm

          Thanks for this recipe and some comments were also helpful. I am also a mom of three kids and the youngest needs this today.

          However, the WHO’s stamp of approval is the fly in the ointment, as it were. It is common sense that this recipe is better than the commercial ones.

          I also note your recipes with blackberries, cashew and chia seeds. These (and many more so-called “healthy foods”!) contains oxalates which is not great to ingest. Check out Sally K Norton’s work on this.

          Reply
  29. Oct 14 at 12:02 pm

    You should check out Wubba Water. It’s an organic replacement for pedialyte without the dyes, sugars and chemicals. And tastes a 1000x better! http://www.wubbawater.com. They are avail on Amazon and in Whole Foods in the Northeast.

    Reply
    • Jan 5 at 4:02 pm

      Jason,

      natural flavor = artificial flavor = synthetic flavor

      The only difference between all these is the flavor.

      Reply
      • Mar 7 at 1:01 pm

        Actually, to be completely transparent with you about our ingredients, “natural flavors” in our drinks come from 2 sources. One is what’s called a masker, which takes the aftertaste away from the stevia. It is not available in an organic certified form, but complies with the same rules and regulations as one. The other is from a fruit flavor, not “certified”, but still compliant. Being organic certified, we cannot have anything artificial in our drinks. In fact, anything not listed as “organic” on the label is still “organic compliant”. We are certified through QAI, one of the largest, if not the largest, certifying agencies in the US. Hope that helps!

        Reply
  30. Sep 15 at 2:22 pm

    Can you add lemon or lime juice to this without changing composition of sugar/salt that is needed for rehydration?

    Reply
  31. Jul 24 at 1:00 am

    l’m kind of thinking of throwing in some elderberry for some added benefits ?

    Reply
  32. Jul 21 at 4:12 pm

    My sons pediatrician suggested that we give him coconut water. Pure coconut water without added sugar(it has enough in it already) has calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and salt. He’s typically both breast and bottle fed, but lost his appetite, refused a bottle and had a fever and vomiting with Roseola this last month. An ounce of coconut water here and there helped him to feel and act a bit more like himself and keep just hydrated enough so we didn’t have to take him in to the Dr or ER. He sure didn’t like it though, had to trap him and use a medicine dropper to get it in him. When they are so little it’s easy to get dehydrated. Now he likes it in a sippy cup with he’s eating solids, using a regular cup like the rest of us 🙂

    Reply
  33. Mar 16 at 10:46 pm

    I don’t know how old this post is but I’ grateful I found it. Our vet told us to give our 17 year dog pedialyte/water (50-50). It had become increasingly difficult to find pedialyte (must be a lot of sick babies in my area). So, of course, I took to Pinterest for an alternative. And violá I found your recipe! Thanks bunchs for putting it out there❣

    Reply
  34. Feb 4 at 1:45 pm

    Breastmilk is the only thing a sick baby at that age needs :). Anything else (well, besides formula) can harm that delicate little system. Breastmilk is all around the perfect food! I would just suggest nursing more…I’m actually a little shocked that a doc would tell you to use Pedialyte.

    Reply
    • Jun 25 at 8:54 pm

      Shocking to think that a doctor might know more about medicine than you would?

      Reply
    • Sep 1 at 7:22 pm

      The reason is that when the intestines become inflamed for any reason they are no longer able to produce brush border enzymes like lactase. So even the lactose in Mama’s amazing breast milk cannot be digested and can contribute to more diarrhea and vomiting.

      Dietitian

      Reply
      • May 30 at 10:58 pm

        Not sure if it’s ok for kids, but I had terrible diahrheaa in Southeast Asia, and the pharmacist gave me something called SMECTA. Man does it work, One dose and my system settled down, and I was going to the bathroo 20x per day. I brought back a bunch with me.

        Reply
    • May 4 at 11:10 pm

      Breast milk is best because it contains more minerals, vitamins and beneficial bacteria to combat the infection/virus causing the loose stools. Scientific studies have proven that breast milk changes to men the infant’s needs when baby is ill. Breast milk largely consists of water so it’s a great form of hydration for baby. Of course most docs will recommend a “product” over nature. It will probably have a long shelf life and contain many synthetic ingredients.

      As far as the woman claiming pedialyte doesn’t contain sugar, I give you “sucralose” and 100 calories as labeled above.

      Reply
      • Mar 6 at 8:34 am

        Sure, breastmilk contains everything the baby needs during a time of illness but not when they’re vomiting continuously. Two nights ago my daughter had an extremely bad vomiting episode and the nurse’s advice was to feed her small sips of electrolytes (1-2tsp) up to every 5 minutes. I tried nursing her initially and she would virulently throw up. So Carson’s comment above is right on the ball.

        Reply
  35. Jan 18 at 11:58 am

    Pedialyte is the nastiest stuff, I’m not sure why you would consider that good for any sick child. I would never give that to my kids!

    Reply
    • Dec 29 at 8:09 am

      Gunter, please stop trolling and spreading misinformation. In case you haven’t read the post, I will repeat the info again. Commercial electrolyte drinks contain artificial and unhealthy ingredients. There are many things wrong with them. There are also a lot of ignorant doctors out there that know very little about real health and nutrition. They are paid off (or brainwashed) by the pharmaceutical companies.

      Reply
      • Oct 26 at 8:11 am

        Angela, when you attack someone with your opinion, that is the definition of trolling. Adding value with comments to clarify is much more helpful. Simply state what you use, why and contribute some research, not an uneducated opinion about ignorant doctors or accusations about trolling. Thats just name calling.

        Reply
    • Jan 9 at 2:06 pm

      unless your kid can’t have red dyes…. I just left the store – it was in every single kids electrolyte drink they had.

      Reply
    • Jul 9 at 10:07 pm

      Sometimes we have to do things in life to heal… No matter how “nasty” it may taste.

      Reply
  36. Nov 13 at 3:39 pm

    I use pink Himalayan salt instead since it has more minerals. I also add pure lemon juice.

    Reply
    • Dec 18 at 6:01 pm

      I was just going to ask this because all I have is Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Did you use the same amount that the recipe calls for?

      Reply
  37. Apr 15 at 11:18 am

    Sodium is also lost with dehydration. Your sodium levels can appear high but is illusional as your blood becomes more concentrated with lack of fluid.

    Reply

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