Can I Give My Baby Pedialyte? And Its Side Effects

When your baby is sick, whether it’s a tummy ailment or cold, possible dehydration is lurking right around the corner. But what do you do when your baby is too young to drink water?

Several remedies are available to help your little one battle dehydration. If you’re wondering, “Can I give my baby Pedialyte?” We have answers.

Keep in mind that with babies under 1 year, always proceed with caution, and before administering anything, consult your pediatrician.

What Is Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is a rehydrating product designed to combat dehydration during sickness, travel, heat, or strenuous exercise. It contains a formulated balance of electrolytes and sugar, which work to rebuild the body’s balance. It’s beneficial for babies following or during a bout of vomiting or diarrhea.

Pedialyte comes in various forms and flavors ⁽¹⁾.

• Pedialyte Classic: This liquid form is available in several flavors or a flavorless option. It works to restore lost zinc and electrolytes. It’s also available as a powder.
• Pedialyte AdvancedCare: AdvancedCare works to prevent dehydration during sickness. It consists of PreActiv Prebiotics, which help to promote a healthy balance in the digestive system. It’s available in liquid and powder form.
• Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus: The Plus series contains the same PreActiv Prebiotics as the AdvancedCare but with 33% more electrolytes. This makes it more efficient than the two above.
• Pedialyte Sparkling Rush Powder: This powder contains no coloring, only flavors. It features an optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes to combat dehydration effectively.
• Pedialyte Freezer Pops: These are packages of Pedialyte you can freeze and eat like a popsicle. However, they’re not recommended for infants.

When Is Pedialyte Safe to Use?

Answers differ about the exact age you can start using Pedialyte. However, some doctors recommend giving it to babies as young as 3 months.

You should always consult your pediatrician before giving a baby under 1 year Pedialyte.

Although Pedialyte is safe in moderation, you shouldn’t take the dosage lightly. Even if your baby likes the taste, it’s not to be used as a treat.

In clinical practice, I only recommend using Pedialyte or other oral rehydration fluid during illnesses with excessive fluid loss. In most cases, this occurs with gastroenteritis: vomiting with or without diarrhea.

During such an illness, electrolytes and fluid are lost, so it is important that both are replaced. During profuse vomiting, infants often have difficulty tolerating breast milk and formula. Oral rehydration solutions are a great way to provide fluids that are less irritating during this phase of the illness. The AAP has the following detailed information on electrolyte solutions here.

Editor's Note:

Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP

Why Give a Baby Pedialyte?

Viruses are often the cause of diarrhea or vomiting in small babies — it’s rarely something they ate. In some cases, it could be a sign of something more serious.

During sickness, a lot of fluid can be lost. It’s not uncommon for infants to refuse breastfeeding or formula. Like older children and adults, they experience nausea, gassiness, and cramping, which can discourage them from feeding.

Your little one can swiftly become dehydrated. It’s essential to rehydrate them as quickly as possible to avoid complications. Pedialyte can effectively help.

The fluid, electrolytes, and sugar in Pedialyte work as a remedy for dehydration during sickness. This fluid may be easier for your infant to digest, particularly during the vomiting phase of the illness.

However, when your little one is afflicted with diarrhea or vomiting, don’t jump to the conclusion that Pedialyte will resolve it. Although Pedialyte can help replenish the body, it’s not a cure or medicine.

Dehydration In Babies

Dehydration is when the body has lost a significant amount of fluids. Along with liquids, the sufferer loses essential minerals, which can quickly turn serious, especially for young babies.

It’s not always easy to spot the symptoms of dehydration in babies — it depends on their age and how severe it is ⁽²⁾.

Early to moderate signs of dehydration include:

• Less playfulness (not easy to spot in infants — they may seem withdrawn and not as interested as usual).
• Fewer or no tears when crying.
• Fewer wet diapers (for infants, look for less than six per day).
• Watery, foul-smelling stool (due to diarrhea). I explain that diarrheal stools are watery, like “turning on a faucet.” This helps parents distinguish normal liquid stools from breastfeeding and formula from diarrhea.
• Fewer bowel movements (due to lack of fluids from vomiting or fever).
• Sunken fontanel, which is the soft spot on your baby’s head.
• Dry mouth.

Severe signs of dehydration include:

• Drowsiness.
• Sunken eyes.
• Cool hands or feet that appear discolored.
• Fussiness.
• Only one or two wet diapers in a day.
• Wrinkled skin.

Giving Pedialyte to Breastfed Infants

When rehydrating a breastfed baby using Pedialyte, you should continue to nurse throughout the treatment. Nursing will help comfort your little one while providing them with much-needed nutrition ⁽³⁾.

Breast milk contains essential antibodies that can help combat sickness. It will also aid the rehydration treatment, perhaps even speeding up the process. However, it is possible for your infant to have a temporary lactose intolerance during these illnesses. Exposure to lactose can prolong the symptoms of gastroenteritis. Avoiding maternal consumption of dairy while breastfeeding allows your infant to receive all of the benefits of breast milk without the digestive issues. Once the illness has resolved, they should tolerate dairy in your diet again ⁽⁴⁾.

Nurse your little one in shorter intervals than usual during the rehydration process. This prevents vomiting from the stomach getting “too full” while irritated from the infection. Then stick to a schedule of every two hours or as your baby needs. Once they get their tolerance and appetite back, you can increase the time between the sessions.

Between each session, offer 0.15 to 0.3 fluid ounces (5 to 10 milliliters) of Pedialyte using a teaspoon or syringe every five minutes ⁽⁵⁾.

If your baby is vomiting, wait until they’ve stopped for approximately eight hours before resuming their normal feeding schedule. Continuing to nurse as usual may cause additional distress to their stomach and intestines. Even when they are still having vomiting incidents, continue to offer Pedialyte every five minutes.

I recommend that parents wait 30 minutes to an hour after a vomiting episode before offering large amounts of fluid. This gives the stomach a chance to “settle” and reduces the likelihood of vomiting immediately after trying to drink fluids.

Editor's Note:

Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP

Giving Pedialyte to Formula-Fed Infants

For formula-fed babies, it’s best to halt the formula until they can keep fluids down. As with breastfed babies, offer Pedialyte in small quantities of 0.15 to 0.3 fluid ounces, using a teaspoon or syringe every five minutes. Once your baby can keep liquids down, continue with the formula.

If your infant takes a diary-based formula, it is often helpful to switch to soy formula during the diarrheal phase of the illness. This avoids lactose, which is more difficult to digest and can prolong the illness, and it helps to bind the stools a bit.

If you’re worried that your little one may begin to vomit again, offer formula on a spoon. This ensures they consume only small amounts, which can help prevent their tummy from rejecting it.

Giving 1-Year-Olds Pedialyte

If you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding your 1-year-old, follow the guidelines above. Then give your child small sips of Pedialyte every 15 minutes as needed. If necessary, use a syringe or spoon.

Consult your doctor if you feel that more Pedialyte is necessary or if your baby still seems dehydrated.

Side-Effects of Pedialyte

Pedialyte isn’t without side effects. But fortunately, most who take Pedialyte don’t experience severe reactions.

The most common side effect is vomiting and nausea. You can counter this by giving your baby small amounts at a time — never more than two teaspoons ⁽⁶⁾.

Here are a few of the more severe side effects Pedialyte can cause:

• Dizziness (not easy to spot in infants).
• Swelling in feet and ankles.
• Mood changes (they may be difficult to soothe one minute and a breeze the next).
• Restlessness.
• Seizures.

Although allergic reactions to Pedialyte are rare, here are the signs you should look for:

• Itching or swelling (tongue, face, or throat).
• Rashes.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe dizziness.

Mixing Pedialyte with Other Drinks

For children over one, if they don’t like the taste of Pedialyte, you may feel tempted to mix it with soda or juice. We don’t recommend doing this.

I see this Pedialyte “taste aversion” in toddlers very often. In such cases, I recommend that parents give electrolyte-enhanced water or coconut water. Both have electrolytes, are low in sugar, and have little to no flavor. However, I do not recommend this for babies under the age of 1.

Editor's Note:

Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP

Pedialyte consists of a finely tuned formula — it has just the right amount of sugars and electrolytes. By adding a sugary drink like soda or juice (even a diet version), you’ll meddle with the balance. It could interfere with the effectiveness or make symptoms worse.

By adding more sugar, your baby’s gut may begin to put out additional water and electrolytes, loosening bowel movements ⁽⁷⁾. This, in turn, could make diarrhea more serious.

FAQs

Which Type of Pedialyte is Best For Babies?

Unflavored Pedialyte is usually best for babies as it’s free from artificial colors and flavors. Always consult with a pediatrician before giving Pedialyte to a baby.

What Can I Give My Baby Instead of Pedialyte?

Besides Pedialyte, options include electrolyte solutions specifically designed for infants, like Enfalyte or oral rehydration solutions recommended by a pediatrician.

Can You Mix Pedialyte With Water?

It’s not recommended to mix Pedialyte with water as it dilutes the electrolyte balance. Use it as directed on the label or by a healthcare provider.

How Do I Keep My Baby Hydrated When Refusing a Bottle?

If your baby refuses a bottle, try offering small amounts of fluid using a spoon, syringe, or cup. Consult a pediatrician if the baby continues to refuse fluids.

How Much Pedialyte is Safe Per Day?

The safe amount of Pedialyte varies based on the baby’s age and weight. Generally, small, frequent sips are advised. Always follow your family doctor’s or pediatrician’s recommendation.

Can Too Much Pedialyte Be Harmful?

Yes, too much Pedialyte can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes, especially in very young infants. Stick to the prescribed amount.

Stay Hydrated

Seeing your baby sick is one of the downsides of parenthood, especially when they’re experiencing vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. When losing fluids, babies quickly become dehydrated, which can have severe outcomes if not treated. It’s essential to know the early warning signs, such as fewer wet diapers, tearless cries, and sunken soft spots.

Pedialyte is an excellent way to combat dehydration, even in babies under 1 year. However, it’s vital that you consult your pediatrician beforehand. We recommend asking about possible side effects, dosage, and how to continue nursing.

The AAP has some additional advice on how to manage these illnesses.

So, the answer to the question “Can I give my baby Pedialyte?” is yes, you can — but proceed with caution.