My oldest is a boy, never experienced this. My 2 1/2 yr old girl is currently being potty trained...doing pretty good but with that goes times of "streaking". Last night, I noticed an odor when she didn't have her panties on. While trying to figure it out (going around the room), we discovered it was her! The smell seems to be coming from her private area. After her bath, her panties (which she had on for just about two hours) had the same odor.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this normal at this age? or a sign of some sort of infection? She is having no other symptoms of any kind. Didn't want to call the doctor on the weekend for a non-emergency since she isn't having other problems.
Even before receiving any responses we began making sure she was wiped well (we always wipe her after she wiped herself as did her daycare provider) and being extra vigilant. Our initial concern was pretty much those that everyone mentioned when replying but hadn't experienced them before. We really haven't noticed the smell since so we haven't involved the doctor. BTW, she hasn't worn diapers in almost a month. Thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to offer ideas. I appreciate every one of them.
Hi, L., I did notice this with my oldest daughter, if I did not bathe her daily. No other problems ever came about and I do not think this persisted - not that I ever noticed!
Sounds like yeast. She may not have a yeast infection persay but could just have a high level of candida in her system. Has she been on antibiotics recently or even ever? Little systems can have their bacteria counts tip very easily from stress, diet changes, illness etc. Whats her diet like? is she eating alot of grains and/or white foods? I
I have a friend who can tell if her son has recently eaten anything with gluten by that smell he does not have celiac just is gluten intolerant.
You might want to do your own research on diet and candida because sadly drs dont even coverall but the tip of the iceberg on nutrition and most of that education comes from what ever lobby is putting the pressure on at that moment. Remember how often those food pyramids change? Funny how the rest of the world doesnt change their eating habits as much as we americans do!
A good childrens probiotic might help as well I personally like udo's or jarrow :)
Just thought I'd say something because I have FOUR girls... that has never occurred with any of them so I'm assuming it is some sort of infection. I'd get it checked out. Lucky for you she is being potty trained (MUCH, MUCH easier to get a urine sample!) We had to get a urine sample by catheter to one of mine when she was about 1 1/2... NOT COOL!
Good luck, i wouldn't worry too much.
Could be a yeast infection. If so, wash daily and change her undies 2x a day just to keep extra germs from irritating that area. Watch her sugar intake, yeast feeds off of sugar. And of course get some meds for her from the dr.
She may have a yeast infection or bacteria problem. If the odor persists I would take her to the doctor. AF
One other thing, if you aren't sure it's female odor - it could just be body odor. She does spend a good amount or her day (or at least night) with urine touching her body. Also diapers might make her sweaty. Even after good wiping I notice that my daughters bottom area does still retain a little bit of smell that I only notice when she is diaperless. It wasn't completely gone after bathing her either. She definately isn't sick as they tested everything routinely for a fever a couple of weeks ago around the time I first noticed this. It just seems like her skin holds the odor from constantly being bathed in pee more than her brothers does. I am not terribly concerned because I think this will go away as she spends more time dry and the top layer of skin is replaced.
Yeast could be the it or the overuse of bubbles and soap on her private are. Soap throughs off the PH levels and can foster the growth of bacteria that cause a stinky oder. Just to be on the save side take her to her ped and see what's doing and in the meantime use as little soap as possible in that area and plenty of water to rinse it clean.
To follow up on the earlier response, not all UTI's exhibit symptoms, so it doesn't hurt to get her tested.
I would take her to the Dr immediately. It is unusal for a child to have any adult body odors. It may be an infection or something else, I hope it is nothing but you must check it out asap.
Hi L.,
I have 2 little girls and I have experienced this before as well. Although I have to say, my daughter's doctor explained that even my 5 yr old is too young to get an internal yeast infection, but it is common for little girls to get a yeast infection on their genitals. If you don't see a rash of any kind on your daughter, it's probably not a yeast infection. However, you may want to double check your daughters wiping habits...I know my 5 yr old still sometimes gets toilet paper stuck there and it can put off a really bad smell. I just suggest wiping well with a wipe before she gets dressed for bed. Even after a bath, she can still exhibit this smell if she has not wiped well enough. If you feel as though she could have a UTI, then absolutely take her to the doctors, and as another mom suggested, some UTI's do not exhibit any symptoms. I do believe that this is a common issue with little girls, so you are not alone!
I have 3 girls 5, 3 and 18 months and my second one has an odor too. She has been potty trained since 26 months and pretty much since I've noticed an odor. Even after a bath(soaking). I think some people just have better sense of smell. My husband doesn't seem to notice any odor. She doesn't have an UTI and never complained about it. Like with all things it could be what she eats, drinks etc. Call the nurses line if you're worried.
It might just be a bacteria. Could have came from something she ate that didn't agree with her when it came out. Really not a big deal. Wait till monday and call the dr. They will give you an anitbiotic. Take for 7 and after 2 days you will notice a difference in the oder. One of my twins had a yeast infection at 1, thought maybe i was doing something wrong. I knew i was keeping her clean. The dr reassured me it had nothing to do with what I was doing.
I would call 1st thing in the morning and get her in the doctor. It sounds like an infection of some sort. Little girls, shockingly, can get yeast infections and all kinds of infections at this age and younger. A friend's little girl got one much younger, we were shocked!
Good Luck!
Hi L.,
If you are not sure whether you want to involve the doctor just yet, try handling this on your own.
If your daughter is potty training, make sure you are wiping her and she is not doing it herself. When you do wipe her, use a baby wipe or damp cloth. Then use a dry cloth to obsorb any wetness. Check her regularly to be her underwear is not damp.
Make sure she is getting enough water during the day to flush out her body.
When she takes a bath use unscented soaps. Make sure she is being washed properly in her private areas. Sometimes people think that just because you take a bath you don't have to actually wash those places that are submerged in the water.
If the problem still persists than contact doctor. However, if you feel at any time it maybe something more than just an odor please contact the doctor. Be blessed!
Hi. She could have a UTI. Very common in girls, and really common during potty training. We go from them laying down where we can see that everything got cleaned up to them leaning on the toilet, and doing quick wipes/ checks. You should make an appointment on Monday for a check.
M.
