If your child is dehydrated, is , the best treatment is to give your child more fluid to drink, such as water or oral rehydration solutions (Gastrolyte, HYDRAlyte, Pedialyte and Repalyte). You can purchase these from your local pharmacy or supermarket.
Water is the best choice to keep your kids hydrated throughout the day. Water contains no extra energy and can quench your thirst. Other fluids such as milk, juice and sweetened drinks can also contribute to your child's fluid intake.
Start slow. Give small amounts of liquid often. For children under 1 year of age: use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes. For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours.
The best treatment for mild dehydration is to give your child more fluid to drink, such as water or oral rehydration solutions. Gastrolyte, HYDRAlyte, Pedialyte and Repalyte are different types of oral rehydration solutions (fluids) that can be used to replace fluids and body salts.
Electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte or Gatorade will help your child replace both fluids and electrolytes that have been lost. If your child is vomiting, he or she should drink small amounts of liquid often rather than a lot all at once. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon every 5 minutes and increase gradually.
Children (and adults) rarely need sports drinks. Unless you've been exercising continuously for at least 60 mins, there's really no need for you to have a sports drink to replace glucose or salts.
“Every child needs electrolytes to live,” Dr. Bonhoeffer says, explaining that the most important electrolytes for children and adults include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Hydralyte Electrolyte Ice Blocks are suitable for the entire family, including babies, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Hydralyte may be taken on the first signs of fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhoea.
Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution Unflavored
Pedialyte might be the most well-known electrolyte supplement, and it is our top pick because it is a safe, effective, and readily available product.
Signs of dehydration in kids include: Dry tongue and dry lips. No tears when crying. Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).
They are not good for kids to use as a substitute for water if they're just hanging out with friends. With sports drinks, the main drawback is too many calories in a bottle. For the average child who is not doing a lot of physical activity, that 120 calories in a 20-ounce bottle is easy to drink.
Pedialyte is an over-the-counter rehydrating solution; however, it also has a high sugar concentration. It isn't as high as Gatorade or fruit juice in sugar, but the content is still high enough to cause stomach irritation.
Gatorade contains 160 milligrams of sodium and 45 milligrams of potassium per serving, whereas Powerade contains150 milligrams of sodium and 35 milligrams of potassium per serving. In comparison, Gatorade is slightly better at replacing lost electrolytes.
Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
With beginning symptoms of dehydration, you can rehydrate by consuming fluids that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions. There are also foods available that have a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. These will also help with rehydration.
If you can't get a pre-mixed rehydration solution, don't try to make one yourself. Instead, replace lost fluids naturally with sips of water, fruit juice, crushed fruit mixed with water, or salty soups or broths.
Drink an ORS Before Bed
Instead of drinking a glass of water, drink an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS, which also contains electrolytes that are essential for hydration. Try to drink the ORS an hour or two before bed so you don't wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
For mild dehydration, have your child rest for 24 hours and keep drinking fluids, even if symptoms get better. Fluid replacement may take up to a day and a half. Continue on your child's regular diet as well. For severe dehydration, the child may need IV fluids in the hospital.
Bananas. The classic healthy post-workout snack, bananas are packed with potassium, one of the most important electrolytes. Dehydration can cause an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, so eating potassium-rich foods when you're feeling parched should help stave off the symptoms.
If your child seems very pale, seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, your child's skin might appear splotchy and the eyes might look sunken in.
For mild dehydration, have your child rest for 24 hours and keep drinking fluids, even if symptoms get better. Fluid replacement may take up to a day and a half. Continue on your child's regular diet as well. For severe dehydration, the child may need IV fluids in the hospital.