How to Replace Electrolytes After Diarrhea? | Salt & Fluid Swap

Diarrhea drains both water and electrolytes—sodium, chloride, and potassium—from your body. Replacing electrolytes after diarrhea starts with an oral rehydration solution (ORS), which balances fluids and salts in one drink.

What Is an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)?

An ORS is a specific mix of water, glucose, and electrolytes designed to replace exactly what diarrhea flushes out.

You can buy commercial ORS products at pharmacies and stores that sell baby supplies, or mix one at home with ingredients you already have. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) confirms both routes work.

For children and infants, Mayo Clinic recommends asking a doctor about an ORS such as Pedialyte to prevent dehydration or replace fluids lost to diarrhea.

How Much Should You Drink After Each Loose Stool?

That replaces what you just lost and keeps you ahead of dehydration.

For children, match the fluid to their age:

• Infants and young children: use an ORS like Pedialyte, given in small, frequent amounts.
• Older children: watered-down sports drinks work—mix 1 part sports drink with 1 part water.
• If vomiting occurs: start with about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) every 1–5 minutes, increasing as tolerated. A syringe helps for very young children.

If you have diarrhea and vomiting together, start even smaller—a few sips at a time, then slowly build up as your stomach settles.

Homemade ORS: The Simple Recipe That Works

When you cannot reach a store, a home ORS beats plain water every time. Quebec’s public health guidance offers a reliable, easy-to-find recipe:

Stir until the salt fully dissolves, then sip slowly throughout the day. The orange juice supplies potassium and glucose, while the salt delivers the sodium your body lost. Discard any unused portion after 24 hours—bacteria can grow in a sweet, salty solution left sitting out.

If you prefer a commercial option, When you’re choosing between drink options for the whole family, our tested electrolyte drink roundup after diarrhea compares the leading products side by side.

Which Drinks Help—and Which Make Things Worse?

Not every drink replaces what diarrhea takes. Some actively harm your recovery. Here’s the honest breakdown:

• Broth and bouillon: an excellent sodium source that also counts toward your fluid intake.
• Caffeinated drinks and alcohol: avoid both—they increase fluid loss and worsen dehydration.

When symptoms turn serious—persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration like dark urine, dizziness, or a dry mouth—medical care matters. Young children and infants dehydrate fastest, so when in doubt, call your doctor.