Pedialyte VS. Gatorade???

Gwynne - posted on 04/05/2011

Our pediatrician said to use watered down gatorade. You can get 2 large containers of gatorade for the cost of 1 bottle of pedialyte!

Rachael - posted on 04/05/2011

i use gatorade only cuz my son likes it better

Rae - posted on 04/05/2011

A great, all-natural substitute is coconut water (not coconut milk). It has all of the electrolytes you're looking for, but none of the added sugar, dyes, etc. It's easily digested and doesn't need to be diluted. It's becoming much easier to find in supermarkets -- sometimes with the (unrefrigerated) bottled juices, but if you can't find it, just ask. I use it at sporting events (baseball, soccer, swimming) and during/after exercise instead of the chemical "sports drinks". Hope this helps someone.

Allie - posted on 02/03/2011

I've tasted both, Pedialyte is too salty and Gatorade is too sweet. My son had the stomach bug a few weeks back and I talked to his pediatrician who suggested watering down gatorade is better for stomach bugs than pedialyte. But I would assume that smart water has similar attributes and is better tasting.. I like smart water so I'm sure my son will too lol....

I would definitely consult a doctor though.

Pediatlyte also makes freezer pops and you could attempt to make your own better tasting version....

Stifler's - posted on 02/02/2011

Pedialyte.

Tiffany - posted on 12/08/2009

I know this is on the opposite end of your problem but maybe some insite for the future..My little girl used to have constipation issues so we started giving her Gatorade daily, no more constipation.

Racheal - posted on 12/08/2009

I use gatorade becasue one it def taste better then pedialyte plus they both do the same things..your goal is to get the elcetrolytes back into their bodies and gatorade does that..an emergency room doctor actually had me give it to my daughter when she was 13 months because she wouldnt drink the pedialyte and was dehrydrated...she got better now that is what i use when she is sick

Schvante' - posted on 12/08/2009

both pedialyte and gatorade

Joanne - posted on 12/08/2009

If you give Gatorade make sure it is watered down. Smart water is a good substitute.

Nichole - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting regina:

gatorade is high in sodium and suger...not so good for kids...i give mine bottled smart water...thats the only way theyll drink it and it has the electrolytes..try giving her a "special" cup just for sick days with the smart water in it.

Thanks Regina! I thought gatorage wasn't good for kids. I read every label on everything I put in or one my body, and you bet I am more strict with what I choose for Annabella. I couldn't understand why my inlaws where giving their child only gatorade and soy milk as a drink.  I offer Annabella a variety of juices and water, with occasional soymilk bottles on the two days a week I am away from her. She just recently can tolerate any dairy through breastfeeding (what I consume), and can eat cottage cheese, whole grain toddler pizza, mac and cheese, or a meal we make for the family that may contain dairy. Of course moderation is best, but with all the hype about whole milk and calcium I get worried. Anyway, thanks for the great tip about smart water! She is doing much better now with the diarrhea. Who knows if it was the teething, one year shots, or a virus she caught. All I know is her butt is happy! No rash, and regular bowl movements. Hope you have a great day!

Joley - posted on 12/07/2009

Unless directed by your physician then your child shouldn't need either pedialyte or gatorade. They both have higher levels of electrolytes that a healthy child does not need.

Brittney - posted on 12/07/2009

Pedialyte. Gatorade can give them internal problems if they drink to much. My little cousin has problems with her colon or splean or something from too much gatorade. Her doc said NOT to give it to children especially when they are sick!!!

Tracie - posted on 12/06/2009

I would say to go with the G2 Gatorade, that's what Walgreens says to do not gatorade itself but the G2, you know what with the pedialyte add a little juice to it for favor, I always did for the kids and seemed to work maybe an oz. or so would make it taste better? Also with breastfed babies ask your doctor about jello water to harden the stool. About 15 years ago it did work with my oldest. I know there is a lot of sugar in it but seemed to help a lot with settling the stomache and we have milk alleriges in the
family. Good Luck

Teresa - posted on 12/06/2009

The breastmilk is better than either one. ;)

Gatorade is too strong for a toddler's system... according to my doctor, but mixed 50/50 w/ water is ok. Only on occasion though. According to my dentist though... sports drinks are worse on teeth than even soda, so it is a RARE, RARE occasion when I give it to my kids. ;)

Lacey - posted on 12/06/2009

Have you tried the pedialyte popsicles the offer? the kids LOVE em ( and to be honest they dont taste bad at all!)

Regina - posted on 12/06/2009

gatorade is high in sodium and suger...not so good for kids...i give mine bottled smart water...thats the only way theyll drink it and it has the electrolytes..try giving her a "special" cup just for sick days with the smart water in it.

Nichole - posted on 12/06/2009

Thanks Ladies! I have stuck to my guns with the pedialyte, and she is now drinking almost one ounce at at time. I have to keep offering her something to drink of course, and I will switch between sips of water from mommy's glass and her own sippy or bottle with the pedialyte. Thanks for your help!

Jessica - posted on 12/05/2009

My son refused to drink pedialyte and I gave him Powerade which is the same thing as Gatorade. His doctor wasn't happy at the time b/c Powerade and Gatorade do have sugar in them but also have the electrolytes they need when they're sick. And my thing is doctor's say the most important thing when kids are sick is to drink fluids and I will give my son almost anything to keep him hydrated and if he'll drink powerade/gatorade I'm gonna let him drink it b/c I don't want him in the hospital due to dehydration again all b/c a doctor says not to give it to him b/c of the sugar and dyes. His pediatrician now told me when he had hand, foot, mouth disease to give him what ever he'll take fluid wise.

Brandy - posted on 12/05/2009

Isn't there alot of unnecessary sugar and dye in Gatorade?...

Veronica - posted on 12/05/2009

My Daughter drinks watered down Gatorade but not when she is sick. She doesn't like pedialyte so I get the pedialyte popsicles and dilute them with some h2o she loves it and it keeps her hydrated.

Michelle - posted on 12/05/2009

water ...our ped says when sick sips of water is best

Dulcie - posted on 12/05/2009

I gave my kids gatorade because their doctor recommended it. Dilute it with some water so its not to stronge.tastes better than pedialyte

Nichole - posted on 12/05/2009

We have tried giving pedialyte several times to our now 12 MTH old daughter with little success. She just doesn't seem to like the taste. She isn't a big juice drinker, and will drink water only if offered from a regular glass. She has had diarrhea for about 11 days now on and off. She is still breast fed and has shown more interest in breast milk and less in food. Her cousin is 6 MTHS older then her and always has Gatorade in his bottle when they come to visit. His parents say it is the same as Pedialyte and that is what he gets when he is sick (seems to get it all the time though).Are they any tricks or flavors of Pedialyte that work best? Is Gatorade safe for a 1 YEAR old?

Alicia - posted on 12/05/2009

i use pedialyte and gatorade.

Schvante' - posted on 12/08/2009

both pedialyte and gatorade

Alicia - posted on 12/05/2009

i use pedialyte and gatorade.