The 8 Finest Electrolytes for Children of 2024

Rising fluids, together with water, juice, and broths or soups, might help children keep hydrated—particularly whereas sick—however typically an electrolyte complement is useful. Actually, Caitlin Waddle, MS, RDN, LD, proprietor of Sprout Pediatric Diet, recommends electrolyte dietary supplements for sick youngsters who’re dropping fluids from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating from a fever.

Electrolytes are minerals which are wanted for nerve and muscle perform, acid-base stability, and hydration. Electrolytes embody sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. Electrolyte dietary supplements make it simple to get electrolytes in, even when your baby isn’t in a position to eat or drink a lot. Electrolyte dietary supplements ought to have at the least sodium, potassium, and chloride, and plenty of have some sugar for an easy-to-digest power supply. Sodium and sugar, specifically, assist the physique to carry onto water and rehydrate quicker. 

We chosen electrolyte drinks that provide kid-friendly flavors and make preparation so simple as potential. We additionally prioritized merchandise that comprise high quality components that provide kid-safe quantities of vitamins. A few of our selections had been taste-tested by our editors in our testing lab, and a few had been chosen after chatting with our specialists. We’ve obtained you coated for teenagers dealing with totally different challenges, like nausea and even reluctance to drink an electrolyte drink. All of our product selections and knowledge are reviewed by a pediatric specialist from our overview board to make sure probably the most correct and protected choices and knowledge.

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Product Evaluations

Finest General:  Kinderlyte

Why We Advocate It

Kinderlyte is a doctor-formulated, ready-to-drink beverage that gives an efficient electrolyte possibility with none synthetic colours or flavors and comparable components to the extra acquainted Pedialyte. Kinderlyte is larger in sodium per liter than lots of the different choices, which might be extremely helpful for kids experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. 

Like Pedialyte, Kinderlyte comprises zinc along with electrolytes sodium, potassium, and chloride. This may be useful for sick children, as zinc performs a job in immune perform. One good function that enables Kinderlyte to face out is that it fully avoids using synthetic meals coloring by utilizing fruit/vegetable juice to supply colour. It additionally is available in seven flavors, making it doubtless one may sound good to your baby. It offers barely extra energy per serving than many different electrolyte replacements, making it useful in case your baby isn’t consuming a lot. All in all, it is a nice product that hits all of the important marks.

However Take Word

Kinderlyte makes use of a small quantity of stevia along with sugar. There’s little analysis on the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners, corresponding to stevia, in youngsters.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride 
• Serving dimension: 12 ounces
• Sodium per serving: 460 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 8 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters per day whereas signs persist
• Flavors: Fruit punch, orange, grape, cherry punch, lemonade, strawberry, strawberry punch
• Third-party examined: Sure, Glyphosate Residue Free Licensed and FDA-regulated medical meals/beverage. 

Finest Finances: Pedialyte Electrolyte Answer Unflavored

Why We Advocate It

Pedialyte has been round for many years and is straightforward to search out in most shops. It affords the essential electrolytes—sodium, chloride, potassium—in quantities that permit for a number of doses a day if wanted. It additionally comprises zinc, which isn’t an electrolyte however will be particularly necessary if a baby is sick. Just like our prime decide, it is a ready-to-drink type that doesn’t require any mixing. 

Pedialyte Electrolyte Answer Unflavored doesn’t comprise any high-intensity/non-nutritive sweeteners, added flavors, or colours. This can be particularly useful for teenagers who’re delicate to the everyday added flavors or colours or the aftertaste of sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. As a result of it’s unflavored, it may be tailor-made to fulfill a baby’s taste preferences by including a splash of their favourite juice. Pedialyte additionally affords USDA Natural choices which are freed from synthetic colours, flavors, and sweeteners, however they’re sweetened with stevia. 

However Take Word

Whereas this drink’s “clean slate” unflavored possibility means no added colours, flavors, or sweeteners with aftertaste, it additionally means not all children might prefer it. Though it’s unflavored, it’s nonetheless sweetened. So, including a squeeze of lemon and even serving it with an ice pop to stir may assist children who aren’t rapid followers. Additionally notice it’s really useful to throw out any unused merchandise 48 hours after opening.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid 
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride
• Serving dimension: 12 ounces
• Sodium per serving: 370 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 9 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters per day whereas signs persist
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Third-party examined: Sure, FDA-regulated medical meals/beverage

Finest Substances: Hydrant Hydrate Hydration Drink Combine 

Why We Advocate It

Hydrant Hydrate fruit-flavored powdered electrolyte mixes are flavored with powdered fruit juices and are third-party examined for ingredient accuracy and lack of contaminants. The colour in every combine comes from powdered fruits and veggies. Whereas they do comprise a small quantity of monk fruit, the bottom of the product is cane sugar. We predict these have a delicate taste and dissolve effectively, making them an amazing product for teenagers who is perhaps delay by undissolved solids or overpowering flavors.

Whereas this product isn’t particularly formulated for teenagers, it comprises acceptable quantities of electrolytes for use for teenagers. Along with the everyday sodium, potassium, and chloride, this product additionally comprises magnesium and zinc. Magnesium will be misplaced throughout vomiting and diarrhea. Zinc is very necessary if a baby has diarrhea.

However Take Word

These powders solely are available three flavors, not like a few of the different choices, which supply extra selection. Additionally they use monk fruit extract, which might have a definite style that some children may not like. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Powder
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride 
• Serving dimension: 1 pack (7.5 grams) in 8-16 ounces of water
• Sodium per serving: 260 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 4 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters (2-4 packets) a day whereas signs persist
• Flavors: Blood orange, fruit punch, lemon-lime
• Third-party examined: No

Finest for Toddlers: Innocent Harvest Natural Coconut Water

Why We Advocate It

Innocent Harvest Natural Coconut Water has a delicate taste that is perhaps extra attractive to youthful children who might not just like the stronger flavors of the flavored electrolyte choices. Coconut water has a larger focus of naturally occurring sugar from the coconuts, which helps the physique maintain to water and offers a quick-releasing power supply. It’s a good supply of potassium and likewise comprises small quantities of sodium and phosphorus. 

This coconut water comprises one ingredient: coconut water. So, it doesn’t have any added flavors, colours, or sweeteners. This ready-to-drink beverage freezes effectively and will be frozen as-is in ice pop molds. The refined taste makes it simple to combine with different juices, so if a baby has a favourite juice, including a splash might make them extra enthusiastic about coconut water. Its sweeter taste profile additionally makes it an amazing possibility for utilizing because the liquid in smoothies or oatmeal as toddlers begin to really feel like consuming extra solids. 

However Take Word

As a result of coconut water comes from a coconut, it’s not acceptable for teenagers with coconut allergy symptoms. Coconut water is decrease in sodium than different electrolyte replacements and may profit from a pinch of salt if children aren’t getting in some other salt-containing meals.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium
• Serving dimension: 8 ounces
• Sodium per serving: 50 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 13 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters per day as signs persist
• Flavors: Authentic
• Third-party examined: Coconut water is taken into account a bottled beverage (not a complement), so it’s regulated by the FDA.

Finest for Nausea: Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier for Children

Why We Advocate It

Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier for Children has B nutritional vitamins and Vitamin C, along with the electrolytes sodium and potassium. These added vitamins will be useful for teenagers experiencing nausea who’re taking in restricted quantities of vitamins from meals. 

This product is freed from synthetic flavors and colours and is as an alternative coloured with spirulina extract, a kind of blue-green algae. It is available in 5 flavors, which is perhaps useful for a nauseated toddler to discover a taste that sounds palatable to them. 

However Take Word

This product doesn’t comprise zinc, so it will not be the only option in case your baby has diarrhea. Along with sugar, it additionally comprises the sweetener stevia.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Powder
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride
• Serving dimension: 1 stick (8 grams) in 8 ounces of water
• Sodium per serving: 250 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 6 grams
• Beneficial use: 1 packet combined into 8 ounces of water
• Flavors: Tropical punch, cotton sweet, crisp apple, banana, harmony grape
• Third-party examined: Unclear, common Liquid IV is third-party examined

Finest for Choosy Eaters: Mary Ruth’s Gummy Bears

Why We Advocate It

Mary Ruth’s Gummy Bears affords a novel possibility for supplementing electrolytes for a sick baby. As a result of they’re within the type of a well-liked sweet, they could appear extra acquainted and interesting to children who’re skeptical of the flavour of electrolyte drinks. 

These gummy bears are sweetened with sugar, with 18 grams per serving, offering further energy and an simply absorbable power supply for teenagers who aren’t consuming a lot. Since it is a larger quantity of sugar, we suggest spreading out the 14-piece serving all through the day to keep away from a blood sugar spike. Along with sugar, it comprises a average quantity of sodium and really small quantities of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 

This product comprises no synthetic flavorings or colorings and is as an alternative coloured with black carrot juice. We additionally like that Mary Ruth’s practices third-party testing for content material claims and potential contaminants, together with microbial and heavy metals. 

However Take Word

This product comprises a comparatively decrease quantity of sodium and is not a major supply of different electrolytes. Subsequently, this is able to not be a sensible choice for teenagers experiencing plenty of fluid loss, as they would wish larger quantities of electrolytes to adequately replenish and speed up hydration. 

It comprises coconut, which guidelines it out for teenagers with coconut allergy symptoms. Gummies is usually a choking hazard for youthful youngsters. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Gummy 
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium
• Serving dimension: 14 gummy bears
• Sodium per serving: 125 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 18 grams
• Beneficial use: 2-4 servings, together with 1-2 liters of fluids as signs persist
• Flavors: Strawberry, orange, and papaya
• Third-party examined: Sure

Finest Tasting: Earth’s Finest Electrolyte Answer

Why We Advocate It

Earth’s Finest Electrolyte Answer has a base of fruit juice – both apple or grape. As a result of the vast majority of the drink is fruit juice, the flavour of those merchandise could also be extra acquainted and interesting to children who like apple or grape juices. The fruit juice base additionally offers barely extra energy per ounce, which is useful for teenagers who aren’t in a position to get a lot meals down. In case your baby likes fruit ice pops, freezing this electrolyte resolution in ice pop molds could also be an answer price attempting in case your toddler doesn’t need flavored liquid.

Along with offering potassium, sodium, and chloride, it additionally comprises 25% Day by day Worth of zinc, which is very useful if your baby has diarrhea and for enhancing the immune system. This drink doesn’t use any added colours or synthetic flavors. 

However Take Word

Whereas this drink relies on juice, which has pure sweetness, it does have a small quantity of stevia added, which some children may not like. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid 
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, zinc, chloride
• Serving dimension: 12 ounces
• Sodium per serving: 370 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 9 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters per day whereas signs persist
• Flavors: Apple-citrus, Grape-berry
• Third-party examined: Sure, that is an FDA-regulated medical meals/beverage.

Finest Decrease Sugar: Remedy Children Hydrating Electrolyte Combine

Why We Advocate It

Whereas sugar might help youngsters rehydrate quicker and supply a fast supply of power, not all mother and father wish to give their youngsters plenty of sugar, notably if they’re getting different sugar (like juice). A lower-sugar electrolyte drink may also be useful if you wish to give them a couple of serving of an electrolyte drink per day. Remedy Children Hydrating Electrolyte Combine is made with coconut water powder and pink Himalayan salt, offering each sodium and potassium in quantities that permit for a couple of serving per day. It is available in single-serve packets, making it an amazing possibility for on-the-go and journey. 

The colours come from fruit and vegetable powders, with no synthetic colours or flavors added. It comprises simply 4 grams of naturally occurring sugar from the coconut water and is as an alternative sweetened with stevia and monk fruit.

However Take Word

This product comprises a minimal quantity of sugar and two kinds of non-nutritive sweeteners: stevia and monk fruit. Children who don’t like the flavour or aftertaste of those sweeteners might not drink this product. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Powder
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride
• Serving dimension: 1 packet in 8-12 ounces of chilly water
• Sodium per serving: 250 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 4 grams
• Beneficial use: 2-4 servings, together with 1-2 liters of fluids as signs persist
• Flavors: Pink lemonade, combined berry, fruit punch
• Third-party examined: That is regulated by the FDA

Ought to My Baby Take Electrolytes? 

In case your baby is feeling a bit underneath the climate however is in any other case in a position to eat and drink usually, they doubtless don’t have to take electrolytes. A lot of deciding in case your baby wants electrolyte supplementation is fluids coming in (i.e. meals and water) versus fluids going out (i.e. urine, bowel actions, sweating). If a baby is placing out extra fluid than they’re taking in, dehydration may end up. 

Electrolyte drinks might assist with the next:

• Lack of urge for food with lowered meals consumption
• Diminished liquid consumption
• Lower in fluid consumption 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Fever accompanied by sweating 

Avoiding Extreme Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalances

Monitoring dehydration threat comes down to 3 key factors: consumption/output, bodily indicators, and urine.

• Consumption/output: Are they placing out plenty of quantity with vomiting and frequent diarrhea with out changing misplaced fluids? In that case, they could be dehydrated or on their strategy to dehydration.
• Bodily indicators: Check out your baby and their physique and mannerisms. Do they appear notably torpid? Have they got dry lips? Are they crying with no tears? These are all indicators of dehydration.
• Urine: Is a baby producing smaller volumes of concentrated, darkish yellow, and even brown urine? For youthful children, this will seem like fewer moist diapers.

In case your baby is in poor health and goes longer than eight hours with out consuming or urinating, contact a pediatric healthcare supplier. In these circumstances, electrolyte drinks will not be ample to rehydrate, and so they may have medical consideration to interchange misplaced fluids with IV hydration. 

In any other case, prioritize offering fluids persistently. Select fluids that sound probably the most interesting to them and that they may persistently sip. In the event that they received’t drink an electrolyte beverage, that is the time for a favourite juice or decaffeinated tender drink. Ice pops can even assist substitute misplaced fluids. 

Sodium is necessary to assist extra speedy rehydration, so strive soups and broths or salty meals like crackers and pretzels. “If you’re having bother getting your baby to just accept fluids, utilizing a 5 mL medication syringe by mouth is usually a useful means to supply the oral rehydration resolution, and it helps you retain monitor of how a lot fluid they’re taking in,” Suggests Waddle. 

Our Complement Evaluation and Testing Course of

When discovering the perfect electrolyte choices for teenagers, our group of dietitians analyzed present analysis and reviewed a number of merchandise available on the market. We additionally consulted extra pediatric vitamin specialists. 

We appeared carefully at every product’s components by way of quantities and high quality. Electrolyte dietary supplements which are third-party examined for purity and label accuracy had been prioritized. Bottled oral rehydration options are thought of medical meals, that are FDA-regulated and, subsequently, sometimes usually are not third-party lab examined. These merchandise will state, “Use underneath medical supervision.” 

We taste-tested over 20 prime electrolyte drinks in our testing lab. We included our testing insights when relevant, however most electrolytes we take a look at are geared towards adults.

As a result of there are advantages and potential drawbacks to each types of youngsters’s electrolyte alternative–powder or ready-to-drink liquid–we thought of each types for inclusion. Whereas our listing offers an amazing useful resource, it’s necessary to talk together with your baby’s healthcare supplier earlier than giving them any dietary supplements.

Our Consultants

The pediatric vitamin knowledgeable we spoke with for this text provided perception into the specifics of electrolyte stability in addition to instruments and suggestions for encouraging children to make use of electrolyte drinks after they’re not feeling effectively. Moreover, a dietitian gave suggestions for the electrolyte drinks we examined.

• Caitlin Waddle, MS, RDN, LD, a pediatric vitamin specialist and proprietor of Sprout Pediatric Diet.
• Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN a dietitian who focuses on well being and vitamin analysis and complement testing.

Elements to Think about When Looking for Electrolytes for Children

Dosage 

Determining dosage depends upon your baby’s age, their fluid output, and the way a lot they’re consuming and consuming. If a baby is utilizing the electrolyte complement as their major supply of fluid and electrolytes, then it’s possible you’ll want just a few or extra servings every day. In case your baby is ready to eat or drink different meals and drinks, then it’s possible you’ll solely want a single serving or two. 

Usually, search for merchandise which have not more than 25% of a kid’s every day wants of any nutrient. Usually, this seems like round 200-300mg sodium, 200-300mg potassium, 300-400mg chloride, 15-25mg magnesium, and 50-100mg calcium. Not all merchandise will comprise all of those electrolytes, however you ideally need a product that features at the least sodium, potassium, and sugar. In case your baby isn’t consuming any solids, search for a product that additionally contains chloride. 

The World Well being Group’s Oral Rehydration Answer recommends barely extra sodium and chloride. Most electrolyte drink merchandise don’t use greater than 200-300mg of sodium per serving for taste causes (it will be too salty for a kid to drink) and as to not exceed the higher restrict really useful for sodium, which ranges from 800-1,500 milligrams per day, relying on the kid’s age (see DRI’s outlined under). 

Electrolyte Stability and Sugar Content material

Electrolyte wants fluctuate by age. Wanting on the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), which illustrate how a lot of every nutrient wholesome youngsters want, is a superb place to begin when contemplating the dosage of electrolyte merchandise. It’s additionally necessary to verify the Tolerable Higher Consumption Degree (UL) of vitamins, the biggest quantity that doubtless poses no well being threat. You wish to intention to remain inside the limits of the DRI and by no means exceed the UL. 

Some manufacturers use the World Well being Group’s Oral Rehydration Answer (ORS) suggestions and listing this on their labels. In case your baby is ready to eat or drink something except for an electrolyte drink and water, it’s necessary to think about this within the electrolyte totals– particularly if it’s a fortified meals. Waddle additionally factors out that when a baby is feeling higher and the chance for dehydration is gone, it’s time for them to get again to common fluids that don’t comprise the additional sodium and added sugars.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children over the age of two intention for lower than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day. Nonetheless, when children are sick it’s not the time to consider limiting sugar, however somewhat to encourage children to eat/drink what sounds good to them. For teenagers who’re nauseated, have sore throats, or have one other symptom that restricts what feels or sounds good to eat or drink, larger sugar drinks will be the best and sensible means for them to get power (ie energy) in. Apart from offering power, sugar can be crucial for our our bodies to soak up sodium and fluids.

Beneficial Day by day Quantities of Electrolytes:

• Calcium: 700mg (1-3 years previous); 1,000mg (4-8); 1,300mg (9-18) 
• Sodium: 800mg (1-3); 1,000mg (4-8); 1,200mg (9-13); 1,500mg (14-18)
• Chloride: 1500mg (1-3); 2,300mg (4-8); 1,900mg (9-18)
• Potassium: 2,000mg (1-3); 2,300mg (4-8); 2,300mg/2,500mg (9-13 women/boys); 2,300mg/3,000mg (14-18 women/boys)
• Magnesium: 80mg (1-3); 130mg (4-8); 340mg (9-13); 360mg/410mg (14-18 women/boys)

UL (Steered to not go over) quantities:

• Calcium: 2,500mg (1-8), 3,000mg (9-18)
• Sodium: Not sufficient information, use DRI
• Chloride: 2300mg (1-3); 2900mg (4-8); 3400mg (9-13); 3600mg (14-18)
• Potassium: Not sufficient information, use DRI
• Magnesium: 65mg (1-3); 110mg (4-8); 350mg (9-18)

Substances and Potential Interactions

It’s important to fastidiously learn the ingredient listing and vitamin information panel of a complement to know which components and the way a lot of every ingredient is included, relative to the really useful every day worth of that ingredient. Please convey the complement label to a healthcare supplier to overview the totally different components contained within the complement and any potential interactions between these components and different dietary supplements and drugs your baby is taking.

Some youngsters’s electrolyte merchandise might comprise zinc, which is misplaced by means of bouts of diarrhea and will assist children get well from diarrhea quicker. Nonetheless, an excessive amount of zinc may cause nausea and vomiting, so it’s necessary to remain effectively inside the really useful consumption with any product that comprises zinc (3mg/day ages 1-3, 5mg/day ages 4-8, 8mg/day ages 9-13, 11mg/day age 14-18).

Be cautious of merchandise that tout extra advantages, like immune assist, power, and so forth., as these usually have added components that you could be not need or want–particularly if a baby is utilizing a number of servings a day. Moreover, should you’re utilizing an grownup model of an electrolyte complement, ensure it doesn’t comprise caffeine and different stimulants. Some grownup variations comprise components like caffeine as a result of they’re marketed as being power drinks as effectively. Additionally, electrolyte drinks for adults might comprise electrolyte dosages that aren’t acceptable for teenagers.

Whereas having sugar in an electrolyte might help with rehydration, many merchandise additionally embody small quantities of high-intensity sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to stability out the saltiness. There isn’t a lot analysis on using these sweeteners for teenagers, however they’re usually acknowledged as protected.  It’s price noting that these sweeteners do have a taste and aftertaste that may be polarizing. 

Kind and Flavors

In the case of selecting between a powdered product that you simply combine with water or a ready-to-drink product, it largely comes right down to taste desire and ease. Both means, throughout the board, the advice is to serve these drinks chilly for the perfect taste. Whereas ready-to-drink merchandise take the guesswork out of measuring water and mixing, powdered merchandise sometimes supply extra taste choices and flexibility. The powdered choices have a tendency to return in a wider assortment of flavors, will be simply stashed in a journey bag, and infrequently have a variety of how a lot water you possibly can combine with them to supply a extra diluted or concentrated taste. 

With the powdered mixes, you do have to be cautious to observe mixing instructions precisely. With premixed liquids, when you open the container, it must be used inside a few days. Powdered mixes largely are available particular person packets, that means you simply have to open what you want on the time.

Chances are you’ll discover that some ingredient lists have salt, which suggests the product comprises sodium chloride and offers each sodium and chloride. Different merchandise use sodium citrate and will add chloride individually. In case your baby doesn’t love the saltiness of electrolyte replacements, choosing a product that makes use of the sodium citrate type (which has a extra tart, much less salty taste profile) could also be extra palatable to them. Equally, tart flavors– lemon, lime, orange– might masks the saltiness of electrolyte replacements higher.

What age ought to electrolytes be used?

For youngsters underneath one 12 months of age, converse to a healthcare skilled earlier than giving any electrolytes or fluids. For teenagers older than one who’re nonetheless receiving some human milk or toddler method, this fluid will have to be thought of within the massive image when deciding whether or not or to not use an electrolyte alternative.

Who We Are

Willow Jarosh, MS, RD, CIEC is a dietitian with a non-public follow in NYC. She works with people and households to assist heal and assist their relationships with meals and consuming. She’s additionally the mother to a six-year-old. She totally vetted every product, interviewed specialists, and appeared on the newest analysis on utilizing electrolytes for teenagers.