My 13 Month with a Bladder Infection

Hi K. T,
I don't know if this helps, but I used to have a cousin with same problem. She was told that it was from sitting in a tub for too long. I don't remember if it was a regular bath or a bubble bath. But it's a possibility.

I myself have suffered with these things my whole life! I actually remember having one as little as 2 years old. My mom says i might've even been younger. Here is the list of things to avoid that I have learned throughout my life. No bubble baths, wash her "down there" using only water and washcloth...no soaps, make sure if you are using baby wipes, diaper rash treatments, or powders of any kind, that they are dye and perfume free. sometimes the baby wipes don't come that way...get a bowl of water, and rinse the wipe out, so that it's just wet with water then. BACK TO FRONT WIPING ONLY! Change her diaper often. try to give her a baby bottle of just water if you can, or at least cut her juice down with water. I notice apple juice to be pretty acidic, try white grape instead.
As she gets older and potty training comes into play (this is where mine started) make sure she goes often, "holding it" is horrible!! Also, at that time, make sure the toilet tissue you use is perfume and dye free, and that she wears only cotton panties. Hopefully you can keep it under control.

Hi K., My name is M.. I have been a pediatric nurse for a busy practice for several years. Babies should not get bladder infections. If a little girl in our practice gets a bladder infection once, an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder are ordered, she is put on antibiotics. If the infection occures a second time, a VCUG is ordered to see if the urine is backing up into her kidneys ( also to rule out any kidney abnormalties).Depending on what the results of the tests are, determines as to wheither or not an appointment with a urologist is made. If your doctor doesn't take your daughters infection seriously then seek the medical attention of another physician or specialist. Goo luck. M.

My daughter had many bladder infections between 18 monthes and 3 years old. We saw a urologist and had all the tests done. There was one test they did that showed her right kidney drained slightly slower than her left and they wondered if that was the cause. That did clear itself up over time.
One thing they did do was keep her on antibotics for around 9 monthes straight to prevent more infections. During that time we potty trained her and since then she has only had 2 in the last 2 years (which might sound like a lot to some people, but it is good for compared to before).
If it continues and the doctor thinks it should be looked into it is worth doing the tests. I hope she feels better soon, it is so sad when they are uncomfortable like that!
I hope this response made sense, I am so tired right now and am heading to bed!

One of the best ways to avoid bladder infections is to drink so much water that the kidneys are always kept flushed. A good way to know if any of us are getting enough water is this simple little formula: person's weight (eg.150 pounds) to ounces (150 ounces) divided in half (75 ounces). That is the amount of water we need just to keep from being dehydrated! Less than that does cause problems, some of which we are never aware of until an infection or other problem strikes. More than that adds to overall health.

Flavored water does not count to that formula, because our systems have to filter out so much junk and sugar out of the water that most of it is wasted. My kids were not crazy about water at first, but as they discovered that water was all they were going to get, they soon began drinking it. Now, they love it!

Another thing to keep in mind is that any infection can be viral or bacterial, and it's never a good idea to treat them with antibiotics until the fever just won't go away after several days or their systems are just too tired to fight any longer. Consider antibiotics as a last resort for emergencies only. Also, antibiotics usually lead to secondary infections, because they weaken the immune system so much, and then those infections are treated with an antibiotic, which leads to another infection and so on.

I don't know how many times I went through something just like this with a couple of my kids. Water was the best answer!

Hope this helps.

A little about me: I am a stay at home mom with 5 children 8-2 years old. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 9 years and loving every minute of it!

Also, cranberry (or a cranberry blend if she won't drink the "regular") will help as it naturally strengthens the kidneys and bladder and helps prevent bladder infections and UTIs

The other advice listed here (hypo-allergenic soap/no bubbles/ wiping front to back only) are good suggestions as well.

this can be common my daughter had several - listen to the pediatricians they have been through this.

here is what helped us
limited baths
no soap in bath
used dove

increase water

oh and watch orange juice intake

:)

Woah. Two in Seven months. I am 36 years old and use to get bladder infections 3 to 4 times a years but they did not start til I was 12 yrs.

I'm sure you've heard old reliable cranberry juice, not a mix kind, straight cranberry. But I do not know how a 7 month old could handle it.

My infections kept coming back because they were never treated properly. Some of the bacteria never went away with the normal antibiotics. Certain types need certain strengths. The best antibiotic that stopped mine "Cipro". Again how this would work for a baby I do not know.

I would take your beautiful baby to a specialist.

Bladder infections can be painful, like peeing needles.

My oldest daughter got several yeast and bladder infections due to taking baths with mr. bubbles and other bath fun soaps. They stopped with her.

I hope some of this helps.

Best of luck and God Bless.

A good balanced diet with minimally processed foods should make all the difference. Fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, smoothies, juices, salads all that good stuff.

UTI's can be very common in little girls, some more than others. If her doc is sure there is not an underlying issue, it may just be something she will grow out of. Make sure you always wipe her from front to back, and make sure everybody who might change her knows that, too. That is the biggest cause of UTI's. Keep cranberry juice on hand and give it to her regularly...even the kind that is mixed with other juices in case she doesn't like the tartness. Blueberries are good at maintaining urinary tract health, too.

Good luck!
~L.

My DD has reflux, she was put on nightly antibiotics.
She also only gets a bath 2-3 times a week, no bubbles, and we use teatree bar soap from the health food store. The soap is extra gental and has even cleared up her exema, and dandruf(sp).
Make sure her diapers are changed extra frequently, sitting in pee can't be good for her. Also look into trying a diff diaper, maybe the purfumes in the diaper is causing it.
By her a potty seat, the sooner you can get her trained the better off she will be...but don't force it.
Hope this helps.

Just one minor correction of the excellent advice you've already received: FRONT TO BACK WIPING ONLY. I know that's what was meant, it was just written backwards...

Girls get UTIs far more commonly than boys because they have shorter urethras, leaving their bladders a very short distance from the outside world. Wiping fecal matter *toward* the urethra is a problem (and can cause vaginal infections in girls of any age) so all wiping should go from front to back, always, always, always -- even for adults.

Hello,both my daughters were the same way, my doc told me not to use any scented soap etc for baths, wipes or anything. This did help, also water, and your daughter is old enough for juice, both will help (cranberry is best) My oldest daughter did have the reflux, so it was a constsnt battle for us with her, but my younger daughter just eliminating the scented products worked wonders.
Good Luck and God Bless!

Hi K.,
I have a daughter who got her first one at 5 months. They could not figure out at first what was going on with her because she had this wierd temp that would go up and down of course down when we would get to the Dr. We even thought she might have meningitis, but ended being bladder/uti infection. She would occasionally get them after that and we did everything they advised us to do to prevent repeat infections, not having bubble baths, cotton underwear, etc. but she would get them once in awhile. As long as you do what you can on your part to prevent reoccurance you just have to be on constant watch and treat her. Take care..S.

You can find a lot of great products at the health food store. I used a homeopathic spray for UI that could be used topicly, my 5 yo said it worked right away. It was also suggested that yeast can cause UI too. We also use acidophilus and probiotics my daughter will chew 1/2 a tablet up. But I used to crush it and mix it in her rice milk. You probably can find a chewable cranberry tab too.
Good Luck, A.