"Mommy, I Hurt When I Pee Pee"

My daughter used to get those all the time also when she was little. The doctors told me not to let her get in a bubble bath or sit in the tub too long when I would give her a bath. It's something to do with the soap or shampoo that would make her get a UTI. So I started giving her showers and she didn't have anymore UTI's. So I don't know if you've tried that or not, but if not then try it and see how that works. Btw...my daughter is 9 now and hasn't had one for about 4 yrs now since she started taking showers. I hope this helps you some.

Hi S.,

I used to get them frequently. Don't let her sit in the bathtub for long. And don't use bubble bath. Those two things should help. They do me. I haven't had one in awhile, knock on wood, but that seems to keep them at bay. Hope this helps.

S.

Having had many UTIs myself, I understand your daughter's pain. There is nothing more miserable--from my perspective. Little girls are more susceptible than boys, but there are things that you can do to help avoid these infections. Some of the previous responses address several of them.

1. Limit baths--especially bubble baths.
2. Watch her diet. Certain foods, caffeine, etc will trigger infections.
3. Be sure that she is drinking enough water during the day.
4. At 4, busy day care workers don't always have the time to help wipe tender bottoms. Alert your daycare worker to the problems, and ask for their help. If your little one isn't wiping well, this could be the culprit. Offer her instruction on the right way to wipe.
5. Do not use any scented or colored toilet paper, baby wipes, powders, lotions etc in the area.
6. Watch what soap you use and where. Wash her genital area with clean water only.
7. Try changing the detergent/fabric softener you use on her underwear. A product with no fragrances or dyes is best, ex All free and clear.
8. Make sure her underwear is all cotton.
9. Try to encourage her to keep her hands clean and away from the area. Not always easy at this age!
10. Consider tracking her infections. . . is there a common denominator? A food perhaps? or a visit to grandma's house? This might help you narrow down some of the culprits.
11. Definitely sleep without panties.

BTW, my children were unable to use the disposable type diapers and pull ups due to skin sensitivities. You might even try switching brands to see if that might make a difference.

Good luck.

I could be off track here but I'm thinking it could be, at least partially, related to sleeping in a wet pull-up. Maybe getting her completely potty-trained might provide some relief. I also strongly agree with stopping tub baths (especially bubble baths) and giving her showers. And one more thing...water, water, water. It flushes toxins out of the entire body. I recently read an article (can't remember where) that said that if you are getting enough water, then your urine will be practically clear and have almost no odor. Most people, kids included, don't drink enough good old H2O! Hope some of this helps.

HI, S.! WELL, ARE YOU DOING BUBBLE BATHS? IF SO, STOP!I CAN'T EVEN LET MY LIL BOY TAKE THEM MUCH LESS MY LIL GIRL! AND LETTING YOUR DAUGHTER SLEEP IN LONG GOWNS OR SHIRTS W/O HER PANTIES CAN ALSO HELP!MY PED. RECOMMENDED THIS AND I STARTED IT W/ MY DAUGHTER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND NO PROBLEMS TO REPORT TO DATE!I ONLY LET MY KIDS HAVE SODA ON SPECIAL OCCASSIONS SUCH AS A PARTY OR SOMETHING SPECIAL TO EAT OUT FOR. BUT AS A RULE I DON'T BUY THEM. AND WE HAVE THE WATER AND ICE IN THE FREEZER DOOR AND MY KIDS DRINK LOTS OF WATER. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE A SANDBOX MY PED. RECOMMENDED THAT I EITHER MAKE MY DAUGHTER WEAR PANTS AND NOT SHORTS OR GET RID OF IT ALL TOGETHER!! AND ALSO IF SHE IS AT THE "EXPLORING" AGE YOU MAY WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT SHE WASH AND DRY HER HANDS BECAUSE OUR FINGERS HAVE LOADS OF GERMS!!!I KNOW THIS IS KINDA BLUNT BUT IT'S ALMOST 12:30AM AND I WANTED TO GET YOU THIS ADVICE BEFORE YOU SPENT A MILLION DOLLARS ON CRANBERRY JUICE!!LOL!!WHICH DOES WORK TO AN EXTENT~~GOOD LUCK!~T.

When I was young I had urethral dilatation done. I was very young the first time and don't really remember it. The last time I had to have it done was right before my 7th birthday. I remember that pretty well. Those were the only two times I needed it. Cranberry juice, water, and no bubble baths! Cotton crotch undies, dove bar soap, and loose fitting pants. Please ask an urologist if this option is right for you. It is scary for a little girl to see red water in the potty, I will never forget when that happened.! Best of luck to you and please take the time to look it up on the web, there are some good articles out there, can help you ask questions of the doctors.
Mel

My daughter was diagnosed with Bi-Lateral reflux when she was 3 months old. This is when your tube from your kidneys to your bladder is too short and the urine backs up causing UTI's/kidney infections. She had it on both sides. There was a possibility she would outgrow this and thank God she did. She was on a very low dose anti-biotic every day from 3 months until 4 years old. The doctor's were suggesting surgery if her next test came back showing she still had it. Every year she had to be tested which consisted of a catheter and dye being put into her bladder and kidneys and then CT/scan/xrays which showed the reflux. The first few years she was ok but the last year she had to be slightly sedated. I had surgery for the same problem when I was six. Thank God she grew out of her situation when she was 4. I was told by her doctor that many adults actually have this problem and don't know it because they were not tested for it at a young age and dr.s just don't test adults for it very often. She is now 8 yrs old with no signs of any problems at all. Good Luck.

Hello, I am mom of a 19 year old and grandma of a 9 month old. When my daughter was small, she had a lot UTI's. Some things our urologist had us do was stay away from bubble baths, shower gels (use Ivory soap or Dial), IF we went to the pool I had to make sure my daughter had a shower immediately afterwards, no carbonated drinks (too acidy), very little juices becuase of the acids. My daughter also ended up having a very simple surgery as well. I can't remember what it was called, but basically, she was cut and stretched (a urologist would understand that). I'm not explaining it very well, sorry. But stay away from bubble baths! I hope this helps.
L. B PS one more thing our urologist always siad was to drink water, water, water. That is the best thing for her. evn Kool Aid is too acidy so limmit that as well. Just for a treat. Oh, white underwear too. Or underwear with the little white cotton crocth. The dyes can irritate little girls (and little boys as well). Dr. Davis (Urologist)on Witch Duck road in Virginia Beach (Charles Davis) is awesome with children and takes Military insurance. He took care of my daughter years ago and also myself. He is very kind and a doctor you can trust.

Hey there, i helped with my niece many nights, you can't give a little girl to many set down baths, and only use bubbles once a week or so..do u let her drink soft drinks or anything, and change her juice to cranberry..they have many types and my son loves them..but my niece got them til my sister found out to stop giving her so many sit down baths, and they stopped the soap they used and she used mild soap and only got bubbles every now and then

My mom was having UTIs a lot and her Urologist (hope thats spelled right LOL) told her to drink lots of lemonade. It has helped her since then. Good Luck!

I used to get a lot of UTI when I was a little girl too. My mother gave me showers instead of baths. To this day, I cannot take a bath without getting a UTI. If you haven't already tried this, please do. Craneberry juice and lots of water. I feel for your little girl. Good luck!

My daughter's pee pee used to hurt a lot, at different times, as well as when she pee'd & it started around the age of 2. It would also affect her bottom area (the crack area). It was yeast infections. I had no idea that little girls could get them & the horrible smell, but I guess its hormonal. Anyway, her cousin was the same way. Once I started giving my daughter showers instead of bath's (especially bubble bath's) & making her sleep with no panties on at night (loose fitting shorts or PJ's ok), she was fine (that area must breathe). Also, I made sure that soap didn't get in her pee pee because that would cause problems as well. Once I started doing these things she was fine & didn't get anymore UTI's or rashes. She is now 11 years old & the only time she has problems is if she has been in a bathing suit too long.

You can try acedopholius, it is a probiotic. The best kind is the liquid that is refrigerated. You can find it at a whole foods or organic foods store. Earthfare has a good assortment. It is expensive for the good stuff but it will last and worth it if you don't have to go to the doctor all the time and to keep your little one from hurting. Hope this helps, A.

Have you tried yogurt? That could be helpful. Also, has your doctor had her checked for "kidney reflus" (technically known as vesicoureteral reflux). That's when the ureter tubes between the bladder and the kidneys allow fluid to "reflux" back up into the tubes instead of it being a one way street from the kidneys to the bladder. Our son had that, and it was only discovered because he was so young (6 weeks) when he got a UTI. They tested him because he was so young. Often it goes undetected and then kidney damage can result (which won't show up until the child is in their teens or later - when it's too late to do anything about it). If she hasn't been tested for this, I'd highly recommend you ask your doctor to authorize the test. I hope everything's fine though, and I'll pray for you. Blessings.

She might have a structural problem...that should be addressed by a Urologist. They can do as simple of a test as an ultrasound to see if there is anything causing the problem. I would discuss it with your pediatrician. As far as home remedies...lemonade is also good...the acidity helps prevent bacterial growth...works along the same lines as cranberry juice. Also, don't let her soak in the tub...it is terrible as what child doesn't love a good bubble bath??? But especially for girls...bubble baths can promote infections. I hope she is feeling better. Take care.

The above mentioned tub baths and bubble baths are a definite no-no with little girls, also try to avoid all carbonated and caffienated drinks. Also buy white unscented toilet paper. The dyes and perfumes may cause a problem. My son has a urethral reflux which is totally different, but he has to avoid all the above to keep infections down. I hope you find a resolution as I know how painful UTI's are.

Hi S.,
I posted this to someone else who was asking about the surgery and other options available, hope it helps you out!
"Hi,
My friend's daughter had the same thing, in fact, she just stopped wearing the "special" underwear a few years ago because the surgery made her incontinent and she ended up getting all kinds of UTI's afterwards anyway. She was 6 also when she had the surgery. I told her to get her on some cranberry pills. She thought I was crazy, but was desperate! Her daughter would get 4-5 UTI's every month without fail. She'd have maybe 2-3 days inbetween infections. She put her on cranberry pills and her daughter went for 4 months without 1 UTI! She now sees a Chiropracter who also does natural medicine and put her daughter on a few other herbs. Their healthcare costs are almost nothing (herbs are A LOT cheapter than prescriptions) and her daughter hasn't had a UTI in 1 1/2 years.
I know that there are a few natural health (or Homeopathic) doctors around here, you may want to try that first."
Good luck with that!
Y.

Umm I would probaly take her to get another opinion, especially if she gets them alot. The only other thing I could tell u is water and LOTS OF IT, but I would definatly take her to a specialist or something.. Sometimes we have to go above the peds.. Good luck and please let us kow what comes out of this.. In my prayers!!

S.,

Have your daughter drink plenty of water a day. I know exactly how she feels I have had the same problem since I was a young girl. And mine always turns into a kidney infection in my right kidney. I find that drinking alot of water and limiting my soda helps alot.

Kim