How to Make Your Own Pedialyte at Home

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, mild dehydration can often be treated effectively by simply increasing fluid intake. Learning how to make your own Pedialyte-style oral rehydration solution at home is a simple and cost-effective way to replenish fluids and electrolytes for mild dehydration caused by illness, intense exercise, or heat.

Quick Summary

Use common kitchen ingredients like water, salt, and sugar to create a homemade oral rehydration solution. Follow specific, trusted recipes to ensure the correct balance of electrolytes for safe use, especially for children and infants, and always consult a healthcare provider for moderate or severe dehydration.

Key Points

Homemade ORS is Cost-Effective: Create a safe and affordable oral rehydration solution using simple pantry ingredients instead of buying commercial products.
Strict Measurements are Crucial: Always follow trusted, precise recipes to ensure the correct balance of salts and sugars, as incorrect proportions can be harmful.
Not for All Age Groups: Avoid giving honey to infants under 1 year old and consult a pediatrician before administering homemade ORS to babies.
Flavor Alternatives for Taste: Add natural fruit juices like orange or lemon to improve the taste for adults and older children, encouraging better fluid intake.
Store Properly and Discard: A homemade ORS should be refrigerated and discarded after 24 hours to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Recognize Severe Dehydration: Seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one shows signs of severe dehydration, such as fainting, confusion, or lack of urination.
Customize to Your Needs: Homemade electrolyte drinks can be customized with natural sweeteners, fruits, and different types of salt to suit individual preferences.

Why Make a Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution?

While commercial oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like Pedialyte are convenient, making a version at home offers several benefits. It can be significantly cheaper, helps you control the ingredients, and can be made quickly if store-bought versions aren't available. An effective ORS is not just water; it is a specific balance of water, sugar, and salt designed to help the body absorb fluids more efficiently. Too much or too little of any ingredient can be harmful, so following a precise recipe is crucial for safety and efficacy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Recipe

For general mild dehydration, the WHO provides a standard formula for oral rehydration solution that is used worldwide. This recipe balances sodium and sugar to facilitate optimal water absorption in the intestines.

Ingredients:

1 liter of clean drinking water (about 4.2 cups)
6 teaspoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

Ensure you are using clean, safe drinking water. Boiling the water and letting it cool is a good precaution, especially for young children.
Combine the salt and sugar in a large, clean pitcher or container.
Add the 1 liter of water and stir thoroughly until both the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
Refrigerate the solution. It should be used or discarded within 24 hours to prevent bacterial contamination.
Sip the solution in small, frequent amounts, especially if experiencing nausea or vomiting, to help with absorption.

A Flavorful Homemade Pedialyte Alternative

For adults and older children, adding flavor can make the solution more palatable, encouraging better intake. This recipe adds a boost of potassium from citrus juice.

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 liter) of filtered water
2 tablespoons of sugar or honey (avoid honey for children under 1 year old)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of 100% pure orange juice or lemon juice

Instructions:

Combine the water, sugar (or honey), and salt in a pitcher.
Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved completely.
Add the orange or lemon juice and mix well.
Chill before serving for better taste.
Store any unused solution in the refrigerator and discard after 24 hours.

Important Precautions and Safety

While homemade solutions can be a lifesaver, they must be made with caution. The exact measurements are critical, as incorrect ratios of sugar or salt can worsen dehydration or lead to other health complications.

Key Safety Rules:

Never give honey to infants under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.
Do not use homemade ORS for infants without consulting a pediatrician. Dehydration is more severe in babies, and they need a specific electrolyte balance.
Do not use excess sugar, as this can draw more water into the gut and worsen diarrhea.
Use clean, safe water and sterilize equipment if possible, especially for young children.
Discard leftover solution after 24 hours.

Homemade Pedialyte vs. Store-Bought ORS


Feature	Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution	Commercial Pedialyte
Cost	Much more affordable, using common kitchen staples.	More expensive, though the cost is for convenience and precise formulation.
Ingredients	Fully customizable, without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.	Contains a precise, standardized balance of electrolytes and sugars, often with artificial additives.
Convenience	Requires preparation time and careful measurement.	Ready-to-drink or easily mixed packets, offering high convenience.
Safety	Requires strict adherence to recipes to avoid potentially harmful electrolyte imbalances.	Standardized formulation is professionally tested and considered safe for its intended use.
Storage	Must be discarded after 24 hours to prevent contamination.	Longer shelf life, with ready-to-drink options lasting longer than mixed powders.

When to Seek Professional Medical Advice

Homemade solutions are for mild to moderate dehydration. For severe symptoms or cases involving infants, always seek medical attention immediately. Signs of severe dehydration include confusion, fainting, no urination, rapid heartbeat, or lack of tears when crying. Medical professionals may administer intravenous (IV) fluids for severe cases, as it is a faster and more controlled method of rehydration.

Other Natural Alternatives to Pedialyte

For milder hydration needs or as a supplement to an ORS, several natural options can help replenish electrolytes.

Coconut Water: Naturally high in potassium, though typically lower in sodium than a clinical ORS.
Fruit Juice (Diluted): 100% fruit juice, especially orange or apple, can provide potassium and some natural sugars. It is recommended to dilute juice with water for faster absorption.
Broth-Based Solutions: For a savory option, a solution can be made with broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef) and sugar. This is a good way to replenish sodium.
Herbal Teas: Teas like chamomile or peppermint can be soothing and contribute to overall fluid intake.

Conclusion

Making your own Pedialyte-style solution at home is a practical and economical way to address mild dehydration for most adults and older children. By following a medically-endorsed recipe, such as the one from the WHO, you can create a safe and effective oral rehydration solution with simple pantry ingredients. The benefits include cost savings and controlling exactly what goes into your drink. However, strict adherence to measurements is critical, and for infants, severe symptoms, or underlying health conditions, a healthcare professional should always be consulted first. When used appropriately, a homemade ORS is a reliable tool for managing dehydration safely and effectively at home.

Visit the World Health Organization website for more information on oral rehydration therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is safe to make your own oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home for mild to moderate dehydration in adults and older children, as long as you use a clean water source and follow a medically-endorsed recipe precisely.

A basic, WHO-recommended recipe consists of mixing 1 liter of clean water with 6 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until everything is dissolved.

You should only give homemade or commercial ORS to infants under 1 year old under the supervision of a medical provider. Dehydration can progress rapidly in infants, and a pediatrician should be consulted for advice.

For adults and older children, you can add 100% natural fruit juice, such as orange or lemon juice, to improve the flavor. You can also make popsicles or add fruit slices to the drink to encourage consumption.

Homemade oral rehydration solution should be refrigerated and used or discarded within 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth and ensure safety.

Adding too much salt can be extremely harmful, potentially worsening dehydration and causing serious electrolyte imbalances. It is critical to measure ingredients accurately.

You should seek immediate medical help for symptoms of severe dehydration, including confusion, fainting, rapid heartbeat, lack of urination, or if a child shows signs like no tears when crying.