DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
Did you know that UTIs are the second most common infection in children after ear infections? They’re also more common in women/girls!
A UTI (or urinary tract infection) is an infection in a part of the urinary system: the kidneys, bladder, or urethra (where the pee comes out!).
My three-year-old daughter got her first recently so let’s break down everything you need to know about UTIs including symptoms, how they’re diagnosed, treatment, and how to prevent them.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
First try to get into the Pediatrician’s office since they’re obviously better with little ones! But if that isn’t possible, go into urgent care the same day you suspect a UTI because they can get bad fast!
When you take your child in they will need to get a urine sample for testing, the less your little one is potty trained the more likely it is for them to need a catheter to retrieve the sample.
This is a painful procedure and can be very hard on the parent and child so I recommend bringing water or juice to the appointment, have them drink it on the way there, or breastfeed to try to get the sample more easily. Either way, you are doing what’s best for your child!!
The urinalysis will tell you if there’s a UTI or not but doesn’t tell you the exact bacteria causing it. You can ask for a urine culture to determine this if you’d like.
The doctor I worked with in the urgent care we went to did this after sending in my daughter’s prescription to the pharmacy just to look things over thoroughly to ensure this was all that’s going on and that antibiotic will do what we need it to.
Treatment
Treatment for a baby/toddler UTI involves a liquid antibiotic such as Bactrim, Septra, a cephalosporin (Cefdinir), etc.
Along with the antibiotic, cranberry juice may help with the pain urinating.
I also highly recommend consciously getting in a probiotic for your child after they finish their antibiotics as the antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but also some good ones.
A kid’s probiotic or baby probiotic blend would be great if your child cannot have dairy like my daughter. If your child can have dairy you can give your little one some yogurt as that contains probiotics too and is a cheaper option!
Keep in mind probiotics are good bacteria and prebiotics are food for the good bacteria, so if you find a blend that works great too!
However, if your child is still breastfeeding, you do not need a probiotic at all!
Prevention Tips for Baby/Toddler UTIs:
- Change their diapers frequently
- Ensure adequate hydration
- Feed them a balanced diet
- Use non-toxic products
- An oil-based diaper cream to create a moisture barrier from the chemicals of their urine and stool if they’re in diapers
- Minimize antibiotic use (remember, they also kill good bacteria!)
- Wipe girls from front to back
I hope this helped you feel prepared for dealing with all things UTI-related for your little one! You got this mama, you are encouraged, educated, and empowered.♡
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
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