Let’s cut to the chase: How much Pedialyte can you give your child?
As parents, you want to make sure that the amount you’re giving is good for babies who are 6 months old. Too much dosage might cause your baby to have “starvation stools.”
You will find all our advice about how much Pedialyte to give your baby below. Hopefully, this article answers all your questions and concerns!
How Much Pedialyte Should You Give Your 6-Month-Old Child?
Many pediatricians recommend giving a Pedialyte dosage to a child if they’ve been vomiting or have diarrhea.
The proper dosage is entirely dependent on their age and weight.
DO NOT substitute Pedialyte for bottle formula or breast milk. It is still important for babies to have proper electrolyte balance from formula and breast milk as well.
You need to introduce your baby to this type of fluid slowly until you reach the recommended dosage. It is also important that you consult your pediatrician before you give your baby anything to drink.
Here are the recommended dosing amounts or serving size per given weight class:
- 10 lbs.: At least 2 ounces of liquid per hour
- 15 lbs.: At least 2 ½ ounces of liquid per hour
- 20 lbs.: At least 3 ½ ounces of liquid per hour
- 40 lbs.: At least 6 ½ ounces of liquid per hour
- 60 lbs.: At least 10 ounces of liquid per hour
The average weight of a 6-month-old baby is 18 lbs for a male and 15 lbs for a female. This means that normal babies should intake about 2 1/2 ounces of liquid per hour given its weight.
When in doubt, you can always consult the Nationwide Children’s Hospital for more information regarding prescribed doses, age requirements, and additional instructions.
What is Pedialyte?
Pedialyte is a popular oral electrolyte solution drink for babies that can help prevent dehydration brought about by illness or diarrhea.
Before giving a Pedialyte bottle to your babies, ensure that you consult your doctor beforehand to determine if it is the best thing to give your baby at this age.
Millions of parents have actually used Pedialyte on their infants for more than FIVE DECADES.
Here’s the thing: Water alone does not provide enough electrolytes, so it is important to get other sources of electrolytes for your baby.
This is where Pedialytes and other oral rehydration solutions come in!
What are the Components?
Pedialyte fluids contain a mixture of 3 MAIN NUTRIENTS:
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
It has a higher concentration of sodium and a lower sugar content than sports drinks, which is why it is a top choice product for rehydration and proper hydration.
Some Pedialyte drinks even include other components like zinc and PreActiv Prebiotics which can boost your baby’s immune system. This is particularly beneficial if your baby is sick.
Some Pedialyte formulas include some flavoring to make it more enticing for infants to drink more. Unflavored Pedialyte will work just as well though.
Types of Pedialyte
There are 3 FORMS OF PEDIALYTE available on the market.
We’ll go through them one by one to ensure that you have all the information you need to make a fully informed decision before you offer Pedialyte to your child.
You may also consult your pediatrician as to which Pedialyte is best for your 6-month-old.
1. Classic Pedialyte
Classic Pedialyte comes as a liquid, which many infants find enticing due to the different flavors offered. Nowadays, you can find Pedialyte Classic in a liquid form with even more electrolytes than before.
2. Pedialyte Powder Packs
This form of Pedialyte is pretty self-explanatory. It comes in a powder form that can be made into a drink by adding water.
It’s the perfect choice if you need to feed some to your baby while you are on the go. We suggest you keep a few packets inside your baby’s diaper bag so that you’re prepared.
3. Pedialyte Freezer Pops
This next one is perfect for when your baby is ill or has a fever. This variant comes in liquid form, which can be put in your freezer.
After a couple of hours, you’ll have tasty ice freezer pops available for your 6-month-old to suck on.
Side Effects of Pedialyte
The most common risk in infants is throwing up. Children can experience this when they drink TOO MUCH Pedialyte. Vomiting may also result in dehydration due to loss of fluids.
Other side effects are considered rare, but you should consider calling your pediatrician if your baby exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle twitching
- Exhibits swelling in feet or legs
- Irritability
- Has convulsions
Now, in case your 6-month-old has an allergic reaction, you’ll be able to find out if they show severe signs of:
- Itchiness
- Rashes
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in face, tongue, or throat regions
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration happens when a person loses more water, electrolytes, and liquids than they intake. This often happens with illness, especially when your child has diarrhea or vomiting.
If your baby continues to drink formula or nurse frequently, Pedialyte MAY NOT be needed.
However, if your baby is not taking in their normal amount of liquids, they may need a supplement such as Pedialyte to prevent dehydration.
Signs of Dehydration
Unlike older children and adults, babies cannot tell us when they are experiencing signs of dehydration. As parents, it is important to watch out for the signs at home.
Common forms and signs of dehydration in babies include:
- Fever
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Thirst
- Crying without producing tears
- No wet diaper in 3 hours or more
- Dark-colored urine
- Constipation
- Wrinkled skin
Only when your 6-month-old baby has been introduced to solid foods does Pedialyte and other oral rehydration solutions become an option.
If you notice signs of severe dehydration, such as a weak pulse, dry mouth, or rapid breathing, call 911 immediately.
What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are nutrients that keep our body functioning normally. When they are broken down inside the body, they release a small electrical current.
This current passes from CELL TO CELL, ensuring that your muscles and organs are operating correctly.
In addition to rejuvenating your cells, electrolytes also do the following:
- Maintain the blood’s PH level
- Help build new tissues
- Regulate fluid levels in the body
Examples of electrolytes include Sodium, Chloride, and Potassium.
Each kind of electrolyte plays a different role in keeping your body healthy. A good assortment of fruits and vegetables helps ensure that your body has the right number of each electrolyte it needs.
What Foods Are High in Electrolytes?
As you’re slowly introducing different kinds of foods to your baby, it is important to note which kinds of food have many electrolytes in them.
Fruits such as bananas and strawberries contain a lot of electrolytes. Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli also contain a lot of electrolytes.
Meats such as chicken and fish are also good options. If your child is old enough, yogurt and nuts are also good sources of natural electrolytes. Another good natural source is breastfeeding milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 Can I Mix Pedialyte with Other Drinks?
We highly advise you NOT to mix Pedialyte with other drinks or liquids such as fruit juices.
Pedialyte is made to have the PERFECT amount of electrolytes and sugar per dose. If you use other drinks, you may be throwing off the balance and original formula of the Pedialyte.
#2 Can I Still Breastfeed My Baby After Pedialyte Intake?
You MAY CONTINUE to breastfeed your baby even if he/she is taking Pedialyte.
Breastfeeding not only hydrates them but also decreases the risk of contracting illnesses that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
You can offer Pedialyte to breastfed babies, but in SUPER small amounts!
#3 What Should I Do If My Infant is Sick?
While your infant is sick, you will want to reduce the time you nurse them and keep the intervals around 2 HOURS LONG.
You may return to your normal feeding schedule when your baby has stopped vomiting for at least 8 hours.
We recommend making use of your baby’s medical supplies first to treat your baby’s sickness before resuming with feeding.
#4 Does Pedialyte Expire or Go Bad?
We talk more about this in our guide about Pedialyte expiration, but the short answer is YES, it does go bad.
In fact, it takes around 48 hours for Pedialyte to go bad once you open the packaging!
Conclusion
To effectively combat dehydration, giving your baby Pedialyte is a great choice in addition to formula or breast milk. It is beneficial if your baby has diarrhea or vomiting.
While oral rehydration solutions have numerous benefits, your children SHOULD NOT use them in excess.
As always, consult your doctor to see whether it is safe to give to your children. Doing so will avoid all sorts of trouble from taking place!
