The 8 Finest Electrolytes for Youngsters of 2024

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

Electrolytes are minerals which can be wanted for nerve and muscle operate, acid-base steadiness, and hydration. Electrolytes embrace sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. Electrolyte dietary supplements make it straightforward to get electrolytes in, even when your little one isn’t in a position to eat or drink a lot. Electrolyte dietary supplements ought to have at the very least sodium, potassium, and chloride, and lots of have some sugar for an easy-to-digest power supply. Sodium and sugar, particularly, assist the physique to carry onto water and rehydrate sooner. 

We chosen electrolyte drinks that supply kid-friendly flavors and make preparation so simple as doable. We additionally prioritized merchandise that include high quality elements that supply kid-safe quantities of vitamins. A few of our decisions have been taste-tested by our editors in our testing lab, and a few have been chosen after chatting with our consultants. We’ve bought you coated for youths going through completely different challenges, like nausea and even reluctance to drink an electrolyte drink. All of our product decisions and knowledge are reviewed by a pediatric specialist from our evaluate board to make sure probably the most correct and secure choices and knowledge.

Our Favorites

Product Critiques

Finest Total:  Kinderlyte

Why We Advocate It

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

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

However Take Be aware

Kinderlyte makes use of a small quantity of stevia along with sugar. There may be little analysis on the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners, akin to stevia, in kids.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride 
• Serving measurement: 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 Resolution 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 accommodates zinc, which isn’t an electrolyte however will be particularly essential if a baby is sick. Just like our prime choose, this can be a ready-to-drink type that doesn’t require any mixing. 

Pedialyte Electrolyte Resolution Unflavored doesn’t include any high-intensity/non-nutritive sweeteners, added flavors, or colours. This can be particularly useful for youths 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 can be freed from synthetic colours, flavors, and sweeteners, however they’re sweetened with stevia. 

However Take Be aware

Whereas this drink’s “clean slate” unflavored choice means no added colours, flavors, or sweeteners with aftertaste, it additionally means not all youngsters might prefer it. Regardless that it’s unflavored, it’s nonetheless sweetened. So, including a squeeze of lemon and even serving it with an ice pop to stir would possibly assist youngsters who aren’t quick followers. Additionally observe 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 measurement: 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 Components: 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 include a small quantity of monk fruit, the bottom of the product is cane sugar. We expect these have a gentle taste and dissolve properly, making them an amazing product for youths who is perhaps delay by undissolved solids or overpowering flavors.

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

However Take Be aware

These powders solely are available three flavors, in contrast to a few of the different choices, which supply extra selection. Additionally they use monk fruit extract, which might have a definite style that some youngsters won’t like. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Powder
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride 
• Serving measurement: 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 gentle taste that is perhaps extra engaging to youthful youngsters 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 gives a quick-releasing power supply. It’s a good supply of potassium and in addition accommodates small quantities of sodium and phosphorus. 

This coconut water accommodates one ingredient: coconut water. So, it doesn’t have any added flavors, colours, or sweeteners. This ready-to-drink beverage freezes properly and will be frozen as-is in ice pop molds. The refined taste makes it straightforward 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 choice for utilizing because the liquid in smoothies or oatmeal as toddlers begin to really feel like consuming extra solids. 

However Take Be aware

As a result of coconut water comes from a coconut, it’s not acceptable for youths with coconut allergic reactions. Coconut water is decrease in sodium than different electrolyte replacements and would possibly profit from a pinch of salt if youngsters aren’t getting in some other salt-containing meals.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium
• Serving measurement: 8 ounces
• Sodium per serving: 50 milligrams 
• Sugar per serving: 13 grams
• Beneficial use: 1-2 liters per day as signs persist
• Flavors: Unique
• 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 Youngsters

Why We Advocate It

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

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

However Take Be aware

This product doesn’t include zinc, so it will not be your best option in case your little one has diarrhea. Along with sugar, it additionally accommodates the sweetener stevia.

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Powder
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, chloride
• Serving measurement: 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 singular choice for supplementing electrolytes for a sick little one. As a result of they’re within the type of a preferred sweet, they might appear extra acquainted and interesting to youngsters 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 youths who aren’t consuming a lot. Since this can be a larger quantity of sugar, we advocate spreading out the 14-piece serving all through the day to keep away from a blood sugar spike. Along with sugar, it accommodates a reasonable quantity of sodium and really small quantities of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 

This product accommodates no synthetic flavorings or colorings and is as a substitute 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 Be aware

This product accommodates a comparatively decrease quantity of sodium and is not a major supply of different electrolytes. Subsequently, this could not be a good selection for youths experiencing numerous fluid loss, as they would wish larger quantities of electrolytes to adequately replenish and speed up hydration. 

It accommodates coconut, which guidelines it out for youths with coconut allergic reactions. Gummies generally is a choking hazard for youthful kids. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Gummy 
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium
• Serving measurement: 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 Resolution

Why We Advocate It

Earth’s Finest Electrolyte Resolution has a base of fruit juice – both apple or grape. As a result of nearly all of the drink is fruit juice, the flavour of those merchandise could also be extra acquainted and interesting to youngsters who like apple or grape juices. The fruit juice base additionally gives barely extra energy per ounce, which is useful for youths who aren’t in a position to get a lot meals down. In case your little one likes fruit ice pops, freezing this electrolyte answer in ice pop molds could also be an answer price making an attempt in case your infant doesn’t need flavored liquid.

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

However Take Be aware

Whereas this drink is predicated on juice, which has pure sweetness, it does have a small quantity of stevia added, which some youngsters won’t like. 

Product Particulars:

• Kind: Able to drink liquid 
• Electrolytes included: Sodium, potassium, zinc, chloride
• Serving measurement: 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: Treatment Youngsters Hydrating Electrolyte Combine

Why We Advocate It

Whereas sugar can assist kids rehydrate sooner and supply a fast supply of power, not all mother and father wish to give their kids numerous sugar, notably if they’re getting different sugar (like juice). A lower-sugar electrolyte drink will also be useful if you wish to give them a couple of serving of an electrolyte drink per day. Treatment Youngsters 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 choice for on-the-go and journey. 

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

However Take Be aware

This product accommodates a minimal quantity of sugar and two varieties of non-nutritive sweeteners: stevia and monk fruit. Youngsters 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 measurement: 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 Little one Take Electrolytes? 

In case your little one is feeling slightly beneath the climate however is in any other case in a position to eat and drink usually, they probably don’t must take electrolytes. A lot of deciding in case your little one 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 diminished 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 a few key factors: consumption/output, bodily indicators, and urine.

• Consumption/output: Are they placing out numerous quantity with vomiting and frequent diarrhea with out changing misplaced fluids? If that’s the case, they might be dehydrated or on their strategy to dehydration.
• Bodily indicators: Check out your little one 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 youngsters, this may occasionally appear to be fewer moist diapers.

In case your little one is unwell and goes longer than eight hours with out consuming or urinating, contact a pediatric healthcare supplier. In these instances, electrolyte drinks will not be ample to rehydrate, they usually 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 are going to 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 may also assist substitute misplaced fluids. 

Sodium is essential to assist extra fast rehydration, so strive soups and broths or salty meals like crackers and pretzels. “In case you are having bother getting your little one to just accept fluids, utilizing a 5 mL drugs syringe by mouth generally is a useful means to supply the oral rehydration answer, and it helps you retain monitor of how a lot fluid they’re taking in,” Suggests Waddle. 

Our Complement Assessment and Testing Course of

When discovering one of the best electrolyte choices for youths, our workforce of dietitians analyzed present analysis and reviewed a number of merchandise available on the market. We additionally consulted further pediatric diet consultants. 

We regarded intently at every product’s elements when it comes to quantities and high quality. Electrolyte dietary supplements which can be third-party examined for purity and label accuracy have been prioritized. Bottled oral rehydration options are thought-about medical meals, that are FDA-regulated and, due to this fact, sometimes should not third-party lab examined. These merchandise will state, “Use beneath 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 check are geared towards adults.

As a result of there are advantages and potential drawbacks to each types of kids’s electrolyte alternative–powder or ready-to-drink liquid–we thought-about each varieties for inclusion. Whereas our record gives an amazing useful resource, it’s essential to talk along with your little one’s healthcare supplier earlier than giving them any dietary supplements.

Our Specialists

The pediatric diet professional we spoke with for this text supplied perception into the specifics of electrolyte steadiness in addition to instruments and ideas for encouraging youngsters to make use of electrolyte drinks after they’re not feeling properly. Moreover, a dietitian gave suggestions for the electrolyte drinks we examined.

• Caitlin Waddle, MS, RDN, LD, a pediatric diet specialist and proprietor of Sprout Pediatric Vitamin.
• Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN a dietitian who makes a speciality of well being and diet analysis and complement testing.

Elements to Think about When Looking for Electrolytes for Youngsters

Dosage 

Determining dosage will depend on your little one’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 most important supply of fluid and electrolytes, then you might want a number of or extra servings every day. In case your little one is ready to eat or drink different meals and drinks, then you might solely want a single serving or two. 

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

The World Well being Group’s Oral Rehydration Resolution 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 might 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 range by age. Wanting on the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), which illustrate how a lot of every nutrient wholesome kids want, is a superb place to begin when contemplating the dosage of electrolyte merchandise. It’s additionally essential to test the Tolerable Higher Consumption Degree (UL) of vitamins, the most important quantity that probably poses no well being threat. You wish to purpose 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 Resolution (ORS) suggestions and record this on their labels. In case your little one is ready to eat or drink something other than an electrolyte drink and water, it’s essential to contemplate 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 danger for dehydration is gone, it’s time for them to get again to common fluids that don’t include the additional sodium and added sugars.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends youngsters over the age of two purpose for lower than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day. Nevertheless, when youngsters are sick it’s not the time to consider limiting sugar, however quite to encourage youngsters to eat/drink what sounds good to them. For youths 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 often is the most effective and sensible means for them to get power (ie energy) in. Except for offering power, sugar can be vital for our our bodies to soak up sodium and fluids.

Beneficial Day by day Quantities of Electrolytes:

• Calcium: 700mg (1-3 years outdated); 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 (Prompt to not go over) quantities:

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

Components and Potential Interactions

It’s important to rigorously learn the ingredient record and diet details panel of a complement to know which elements and the way a lot of every ingredient is included, relative to the really useful every day worth of that ingredient. Please deliver the complement label to a healthcare supplier to evaluate the completely different elements contained within the complement and any potential interactions between these elements and different dietary supplements and medicines your little one is taking.

Some kids’s electrolyte merchandise might include zinc, which is misplaced by bouts of diarrhea and should assist youngsters get better from diarrhea sooner. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of zinc may cause nausea and vomiting, so it’s essential to remain properly inside the really useful consumption with any product that accommodates 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 further advantages, like immune assist, power, and many others., as these usually have added elements that you could be not need or want–particularly if a baby is utilizing a number of servings a day. Moreover, in case you’re utilizing an grownup model of an electrolyte complement, be certain it doesn’t include caffeine and different stimulants. Some grownup variations include elements like caffeine as a result of they’re marketed as being power drinks as properly. Additionally, electrolyte drinks for adults might include electrolyte dosages that aren’t acceptable for youths.

Whereas having sugar in an electrolyte can assist with rehydration, many merchandise additionally embrace small quantities of high-intensity sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to steadiness out the saltiness. There isn’t a lot analysis on the usage of these sweeteners for youths, however they’re typically acknowledged as secure.  It’s price noting that these sweeteners do have a taste and aftertaste that may be polarizing. 

Kind and Flavors

On the subject of selecting between a powdered product that you just 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 one of the best taste. Whereas ready-to-drink merchandise take the guesswork out of measuring water and mixing, powdered merchandise sometimes provide extra taste choices and flexibility. The powdered choices have a tendency to come back in a wider assortment of flavors, will be simply stashed in a journey bag, and sometimes 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 should 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, which means you simply must open what you want on the time.

It’s possible you’ll discover that some ingredient lists have salt, which suggests the product accommodates sodium chloride and gives each sodium and chloride. Different merchandise use sodium citrate and should add chloride individually. In case your little one 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 kids beneath one yr of age, communicate to a healthcare skilled earlier than giving any electrolytes or fluids. For youths older than one who’re nonetheless receiving some human milk or toddler formulation, this fluid will should be thought-about 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 apply 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 completely vetted every product, interviewed consultants, and regarded on the newest analysis on utilizing electrolytes for youths.