Your baby’s pee: An final information – CHOC

Recommendation for folks about their baby’s urine colours, hydration and well being

Though it could sound foolish, right here at CHOC, we encourage you to take a periodic peek inside the bathroom bowl! The colour, odor and nature of your baby’s urine (pee) can inform you a large number about their hydration — and general well being.

Right here, Dr. Monica Molina, a pediatrician in CHOC’s Major Care Community, gives an final information to your baby’s urine. Get solutions concerning the frequent urine hues and smells, how a lot water your baby needs to be consuming and when to hunt assist in case your baby complains of ache whereas peeing.

What can my baby’s pee coloration inform me about their well being?

Usually, the colour of your baby’s urine relies on how hydrated they’re, says Dr. Molina. Infants, children and teenagers could have urine colours starting from clear to amber coloration.

By protecting the occasional pulse in your baby’s urine coloration, you might be able to monitor their water consumption, spot indicators of potential an infection and search assist out of your physician when wanted.

CHOC’s Pee Palette: How one can decode your baby’s urine colours

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Frequent urine colours for infants, children and teenagers

• Clear. When urine seems clear, it’s most frequently a results of consuming lots of water. Infants will usually have related urine colours to children and teenagers, but it surely’s frequent for his or her urine to be pale or colorless for the primary few days after delivery. Then, as infants begin to feed, their urine will change into extra concentrated and switch pale yellow.
• Pale Yellow. That is the perfect coloration for urine. It signifies that the physique is well-hydrated and functioning correctly. You’ll be able to inform your children that this coloration means they’re consuming sufficient water.
• Darkish Yellow: If urine is darker than pale yellow, it’d imply that your children must drink extra water. It may point out delicate dehydration. With elevated hydration, your baby’s urine coloration ought to change into paler after a couple of hours.
• Amber or honey: If urine seems amber or honey-colored, it’s an indication of dehydration. Encourage your baby to drink water instantly.
• Orange: Orange urine may be attributable to sure drugs or meals, however it will possibly additionally point out dehydration or liver issues. Encourage your baby to drink water and monitor their urine coloration.

Much less frequent urine colours in infants, children and teenagers  

• Pink or purple: Though meals and drinks might trigger urine to seem purple or pink, it is also an indication of blood within the urine, which may point out a well being concern. In case your baby’s urine is pink or purple, they need to see a physician immediately.
• Blue or inexperienced: Typically, sure meals or drugs could cause urine to seem blue or inexperienced. Whereas that is often innocent, it’s a good suggestion to say it to a physician if it persists.
• Cloudy or foamy: Cloudy or foamy urine would possibly point out a urinary tract an infection (UTI). In case your baby’s urine seems persistently cloudy or foamy, they need to see a physician.

Share this pee palette along with your children and encourage them to peek at the bathroom bowl from time to time (since they in all probability already do anyway!) so they’re extra conscious of their our bodies and well being. At all times reassure them that it’s regular to speak about bodily features and that it’s vital to let an grownup know if one thing appears uncommon or uncomfortable.

For extra bathroom bowl ideas, go to CHOC’s final information to your baby’s poop.

Why does my baby’s pee odor?

Urine does have a barely “nutty” or “ammonia-like” odor, which is completely regular. It’s often delicate, however typically, different components might change the odor of urine, like:

• Weight-reduction plan. Meals like asparagus, sure spices and low could cause urine to have a stronger odor. Dehydration may focus the waste merchandise in urine, making the odor extra noticeable.
• Medicines. Some drugs, like antibiotics, might change the odor of your baby’s urine quickly.
• Well being situations. Sure situations like urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, liver or kidney issues and metabolic issues could cause modifications within the odor of urine. For instance, UTIs usually produce a stronger, foul odor.

Typically, a slight odor in your baby’s urine isn’t trigger for concern and needs to be resolved by itself. Nonetheless, in case your baby’s urine has a powerful, foul odor that lasts a number of days and is accompanied by different signs like ache, fever or modifications in urine coloration, name your physician.

My baby is complaining that it hurts once they pee. What ought to I do?

Ache whereas peeing may be attributable to various things. Mostly, it’s attributable to UTIs.

Irritation or damage of the genital space or kidney stones (small lots of minerals) within the urinary tract may trigger ache whereas peeing.

Encourage your baby to drink water and preserve a watch out for different signs of an infection like fever, belly ache or modifications in urine coloration or odor.

In case your baby experiences these signs, or the ache persists, name your physician. 

How a lot water ought to my baby be consuming?

At CHOC, we suggest that children drink the quantities of water beneath in line with their age, says Dr. Molina. You will need to word that kids ought to drink the variety of 8-ounce cups of water equal to their age, with a minimal of 64 ounces of water for youngsters over the age of 8.

Get extra hydration ideas for teenagers from CHOC specialists. 

Conserving monitor of the character of your baby’s pee could be a useful means to verify they’re staying hydrated and feeling effectively. So don’t be afraid to analyze the bathroom bowl and encourage your children to report something uncommon to you. Your baby’s pee can present useful clues to dehydration and an infection prevention!

For extra well being and wellness assets from the pediatric specialists at CHOC, join the Children Well being e-newsletter.