It can help rehydrate and replenish electrolytes, which often makes a sick person with mild dehydration feel better. Foods High in Potassium to Feed Your Children, The Signs, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention of Infant Dehydration, How to Treat Diarrhea in Infants and Young Children, Continue to formula feed your infant, using full-strength formula, once they are rehydrated, Get back to an age-appropriate unrestricted diet as soon as possible, Avoid restricting milk (lactose) in your older child or making changes to your infant's formula, Avoid foods with a lot of added sugars, like juice and carbonated soft drinks, While it's not necessary to restrict your child to the. Dosage for Pedialyte in dogs is usually weight-based which I’ll go into detail below. Updated October 2011. One of the most frequently asked questions I receive, is, "Should I drink Gatorade for my diarrhea?" It's thought that these bacteria play a protective role in lining the digestive tract and that diarrhea can upset this delicate balance. Is Absence of Morning Sickness a Sign of Miscarriage? If you don't have Pedialyte on hand, and you'd rather stay home and comfort your child, some parents prefer to make their own homemade rehydration solution with this recipe for oral rehydration fluid that used as an alternative in the "Rehydration Project." Bottom Line – Pedialyte vs Gatorade. Fleisher, G., and D. Matson. Its main purpose is to replace Both Pedialyte and Gatorade have well-established reputations for replacing needed fluids and electrolytes in the body. Many people wonder what to do when their child - especially young children - develop diarrhea. Especially if your child just has diarrhea and/or occasional vomiting, you should: If you are only able to feed your child Pedialyte or half-strength formula for more than about 12 hours, then you should talk to your Pediatrician. Gatorade and Pedialyte are supposedly a good cure for the dehydration portion of your hangover because they’re packed with electrolytes. Pedialyte is an electrolyte solution that can be given to children or adults with mild diarrhea or dehydration. TLDR: Gatorade is meh and Pedialyte serves its purpose well (and is not “bad” for you). My short answer is: No. Are there any medications that can help? U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Do ask your doctor, though. Unless that's all you have on han. Pedialyte is a good supplement but try to drink plenty of water as well. Stated in other words, it's okay if your child does have more diarrhea. It doesn't have the fancy bottle or color, but many experts believe it works as well for rehydration in those who do not have symptoms severe enough to need IV rehydration. How to Treat Diarrhea in Infants and Young Children. While Gatorade has some good qualities that can help slightly older kids that need rehydration, Pedialyte is most likely to win out when taking about younger children. Pedialyte is a good supplement but try to drink plenty of water as well. 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. Acidophilus is a probiotic, meaning that it is live bacterial organisms that ordinarily live in the digestive tract. And while you might give very small amounts of Pedialyte, like a teaspoon every five minutes, when children are vomiting, with simple diarrhea, you can usually let your child drink as much Pedialyte as they like. What's the Deal With My Baby's Green Poop? If your child has a lot of diarrhea or is showing any symptoms of dehydration, then you may have to give even more Pedialyte. Diarrhea and dehydration can be a very serious issue. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Pedialyte (8 fluid ounces) Gatorade (8 fluid ounces) Purpose Pedialyte is mainly used to prevent dehydration in sick children suffering from frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Preventing dehydration and adding more water to the system are the types … For adults with hangovers (and dehydrated children), Pedialyte is the best alternative, particularly if vomiting and related stomach problems have occurred. Child Stomach Flu Symptoms and Treatments, Dealing With Diarrhea During Pregnancy and When to Worry, How Parents Can Take Care of Their Sick Children at Home. The sugar levels in Gatorade mixed versus the mildness of the Pedialyte formula makes Pedialyte a better bet for children who have been vomiting or sweating. Does Your Child Need to Be on the BRAT Diet? Instead of being a treatment for diarrhea, they are actually given so that your child doesn't become dehydrated. Patient information: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics). Are there any medications that can help? If your child's diarrhea is bothersome enough that you are considering acidophilus supplements, it's probably good to pass her symptoms by your pediatrician or her nurse. Many people wonder what to do when their child — especially young children — develop diarrhea. While some parents think that they should not feed their child, should offer a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), or otherwise limit their child's diet when they are sick, unless your child is vomiting a lot or simply doesn't want to eat, that usually isn't necessary. Read our, Medically reviewed by Andrea Chisholm, MD, Verywell Family uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, Jamie Grill/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. So is there any \"treatment\" besides making sure your child does not get dehydrated and using dietary … If the problem continues more than a day or two I would recommend seeing a doctor about it stat. In general, most experts recommend that parents not give their children anti-diarrhea medications when they have diarrhea. As for the ranking, well, Hunnes specifically notes Pedialyte and coconut water, both of which deliver plenty of electrolytes without the same sugary explosion as drinks like Gatorade and Powerade (which she says can be okay It is usually recommended that you not start restricting a lot of foods from your child's diet. Even though medications such as Imodium and Kaopectate may be recommended for adults, these medications should not be used in children, and could even be dangerous. And you can usually continue your child on full strength formula. What kind of diet works? Diarrhea is a common medical condition that results from another medical condition and is treated with diet modification. If you don't have Pedialyte on hand, and you'd rather stay home and comfort your child, some parents prefer to make their own homemade rehydration solution with this recipe for oral rehydration fluid that used as an alternative in the "Rehydration Project." http://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-diarrhea-in-children-beyond-the-basics. Gatorade is not as healthy for you as the sport drinks industry would have you believe.