How to Make Saline
hosted by Dr. Emily Rice · Colorectal Channel
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Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Talk to your (or your child's) care team about your situation.
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What the experts said
Families should always check with their child's pediatrician or the colorectal team when caring for their child's medical needs.
The colorectal team frequently recommends the use of saline to help flush or clean the colon of stool.
Saline flush can be given through a Malone or through an enema in the child's bottom.
Saline is used for irrigations, which is another way of cleaning the colon.
Saline can be expensive and is occasionally not covered by insurance.
Homemade saline doesn't cost much and is very easy to make.
The correct ratio for homemade saline is one cup of warm tap water mixed with half a teaspoon of table salt.
When scaling up saline preparation, add half a teaspoon of salt for each one cup of water (e.g., four cups water requires two teaspoons salt total).
Saline must be allowed to cool before using it in a flush, enema, or irrigation.
In the United States, it is perfectly safe to use water from the kitchen or bathroom sink for making saline.
In countries or places where the water is not safe to drink, boil the water for 15 minutes before adding the salt.
Homemade saline can be made in a large container ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.