Benefits, Dosage, and Safety of Pedialyte for Babies: Facts and Answers
An oral rehydration solution is used to help prevent or reverse dehydration in children.
It is more effective than water at replacing fluids lost due to illness or excessive sweating, because it contains water, sugar, and minerals.
Pedialyte can be purchased without a prescription.Many parents rely on the beverage to keep their babies and children hydrated during bouts of illness.
The article reviews everything you need to know about Pedialyte.
Newborns and infants can drink enough formula to stay hydrated.
Children stay hydrated by drinking a variety of fluids, including water, milk, juice, smoothie, and soups.
Children who are ill can refuse to drink, which increases their risk of dehydration.It can cause your child to lose more fluids than usual, making the problem worse.
Children lose not only water but also electrolytes, which are essential for maintaining the body's fluid balance, when they sweat, vomit, or lose their appetite.It is important to replenish both when treating dehydration.
Because plain water is low in electrolytes, it is less effective at treating dehydration than Pedialyte.
A specific concentration of sugar in pedialyte has been shown to increase the absorption of fluid and electrolytes in the gut.
Dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.They have a specific mixture of fluid, sugar, and electrolytes.
To help prevent hospitalization due to dehydration, healthcare professionals suggest giving an ORS like Pedialyte to your child as soon as they vomit.It can also be indicated for excessive sweating or poor intake fluid during illness.
It is important to offer Pedialyte alongside breastfeeding or formula feeding for young babies that have not yet been weaned.
For children who no longer drink formula, Pedialyte should be offered instead of water.To maintain its efficacy, it should not be mixed with other fluids.
Children who have lost more than 10% of their body weight due to a low intake of fluids will most likely need hospital treatment.
Mild or moderate cases of dehydration can be treated at home.In these cases, oral rehydration appears to be more effective than IV fluids at treating dehydration.
In cases of moderate dehydration, Pedialyte is the most beneficial ORS.It can be used in less severe cases of dehydration if you give your child some juice and fluids.
Babies and young children can have difficult symptoms of dehydration.They have included (5, 6).
Babies are particularly vulnerable to the severity of dehydration.Before giving your child an ORS like Pedialyte, make sure to seek prompt guidance from the child's doctor if your baby vomits or has signs of dehydration.
Under the supervision of a medical provider, Pedialyte should only be given to children under the age of 1.
The use of Pedialyte in place of other fluids may reduce the need for hospitalization.Babies under 1 should only be given Pedialyte with breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Ready-to-drink solutions, powdered packages to mix with water, and popsicles are some of the forms of pedialyte that can be purchased.
It is best to give your child small sips every 15 minutes or so, increasing the amount as you please.
It is possible to find recommended dosages on the product packaging or manufacturer's website, but keep in mind that optimal dosages can vary based on age, weight, and cause and degree of dehydration.
Before offering this ORS, it is best to consult your child's doctor for individualized advice.
Under medical supervision, children under the age of 1 should only be given Pedialyte.Dehydration can progress quickly in infants, and giving the wrong dosage is much riskier in this age group.
The beverage should be used as a complement to breastfeeding or formula feeding in infants and young children.
There are a variety of factors that affect the optimal dose of Pedialyte.It is always best to consult your child's doctor.Under medical supervision, infants under the age of 1 should only be given this drink.
Some children may be allergic to some of its ingredients.If you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, hives, itching, redness, swelling, or trouble breathing, contact your child's doctor.
If your child ingests too much salt, it can cause a condition known as hypernatremia.
Hypernatremia is characterized by high blood levels.If left unaddressed, it can cause your child to become agitated and sleepy.It can lead to coma or death in severe cases.
Don't add additional fluids to the ready-to-drink Pedialyte.Doing so could make your child's state of dehydration worse.
It is difficult to reproduce the right concentration of fluid, sugar, and electrolytes in your kitchen and getting this balance wrong can be very harmful to your child.This should only be done as a last resort.
Some parents may be tempted to add sugar to Pedialyte.Increasing the risk of dehydration may be made worse by drawing water into the intestine.
Babies under the age of 1 should not be given pedialyte without talking to their doctor.The drink should be consumed or discarded within 48 hours if it is opened or prepared.
Pedialyte is considered safe for children over the age of 1 if it is properly mixed, stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 48 hours.Only children under the age of 1 should be given it.
Dehydration can be minimized or treated with an oral rehydration solution called pedialyte.
It is as effective as IV fluids at treating dehydration and preventing hospitalization if you give it to your child alongside breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Parents are encouraged to keep an ORS, such as Pedialyte, on hand and give it to their children at the first signs of illness.The best way to do this is under the guidance of a medical professional.
After being pinched, skin turgor refers to how quickly your skin returns to its normal position.It is often used to check for dehydration in children.