X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

UTI In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

4 min read
UTI In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

Urinary tract infection is a common paediatric issue, but it is one that needs immediate attention and care. Read on to know more.

As parents, you want your kids to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. But even after taking all the necessary precautions, there are chances that children contract painful illnesses and infections. It’s even more challenging and heartbreaking for a parent when there’s an infant involved who is unable to express that pain. 

Which is why it’s crucial to give your baby utmost attention when you notice any possible signs of an infection or illness. It’s also advisable to always be on the lookout for one of the most common illnesses among young ones: UTI or urinary tract infection. 

Urinary Tract Infection  Or UTI In Babies: Causes & Symptoms

UTI In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

Image source: iStock

A urinary tract infection (UTI) not only affects the urinary tract but also the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. The NHS says this usually occurs when bacteria from feces enters the urinary tract. This bacteria then goes through the tube that throws out urine from the system. The body may be able to get rid of the bacteria at times but when it doesn’t, it only builds up and causes an infection. 

UTI is actually a common paediatric infection in infants and younger kids. In fact, according to SG Pediatrics, if your child appears to have a high fever with no other significant symptoms then they have a 1 in 20 chance of UTI. 

For babies, they might get into contact with such bacteria from a dirty diaper or when they are wiped from back to front. Other causes of UTI and bacteria build up in infants include:

  • Constipation
  • Infrequent urination
  • Strong soaps in a bubble bath that can irritate the urethra
  • Tight-fitting clothes can also cause irritation
  • Being unable to empty the bladder can also lead to bacteria accumulating

When the body is unable to empty the bladder, this is usually because of complications in the urinary tract such as kidney stones. This can block the flow of the urine or vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) where urine can flow back to the kidney and causes an infection. 

How Do I Know If My Baby Has UTI?

uti in babies

Image source: iStock

Early detection of UTI in babies is important as they would need to be treated right away. To check whether your little one has UTI, keep your eyes peeled for the following:

  • Fever, which is often the only symptom of UTI in babies
  • Crying during urination which could be due to pain
  • Cloudy, bloody or foul-odoured urine
  • Irritability
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Loss of appetite and refusing to eat

Treatment And Prevention For UTI In Babies 

uti in babies

Image source: iStock

Your baby may be treated for UTI depending on the severity of their symptoms and age. Nationwide Children‘s says treatment may also depend on your baby’s condition and can be cared for through:

  • Antibiotic medicine or other medicines that can reduce pain
  • Heating pad
  • Staying hydrated

UTI needs to treated right away, especially in babies, in order to:

  • Completely get rid of the infection
  • Avoid having the infection spreading outside of the urinary tact
  • Prevent both short and long term damage to your child’s kidneys

Even with such a serious condition, you can still help prevent UTI in your baby and reduce the risks of them getting it by:

  • Frequently changing their diaper
  • Keep them hydrated and drink lots of fluids
  • Ensure that their genitals are always clean
  • Remember to wipe front to back
  • Avoid constipation

When To Call A Doctor

If your child’s symptoms only seem to get worse, do not hesitate to contact a doctor and have your child checked. Especially if your baby is experiencing:

  • An unexplained fever of 38 C
  • Irritability 
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Loss of appetite 

You doctor may prescribe medicine to ease the pain from the infection and children under three months or are too sick to swallow the medicine may be given a shot of antibiotics. If your child still isn’t feeling better or the symptoms reoccur more than twice within six months, then it is also best to bring them back. 

With reports from Erika Coronel.

ALSO READ:

Boys Genital Infection: Common Penis Problems Every Parent Should Know

Common Viral Infections Your Child May Get In Preschool

UTI In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

Partner Stories
Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?
Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?
Gentle Relief for Mummy and Baby
Gentle Relief for Mummy and Baby
Busting Eczema Myths: The Truth About Managing This Skin Condition
Busting Eczema Myths: The Truth About Managing This Skin Condition
5 Things to Prepare Your Child for Back to School in 2024
5 Things to Prepare Your Child for Back to School in 2024

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Ally Villar

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • UTI In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention
Share:
  • 12 possible causes of neck and back pain

    12 possible causes of neck and back pain

  • Symptoms, causes, and remedies for itchy throat and dry cough

    Symptoms, causes, and remedies for itchy throat and dry cough

  • 13 natural home remedies for diarrhea

    13 natural home remedies for diarrhea

  • 12 possible causes of neck and back pain

    12 possible causes of neck and back pain

  • Symptoms, causes, and remedies for itchy throat and dry cough

    Symptoms, causes, and remedies for itchy throat and dry cough

  • 13 natural home remedies for diarrhea

    13 natural home remedies for diarrhea

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
  • Family Occasions
  • Lifestyle
  • Normal Delivery
  • Ages & Stages
  • Trying To Conceive
  • News
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it