Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger

The following may help prevent urinary problems in children.

• Encourage your child to Reference drink more fluids. Water is best. This will help dilute the urine, flush bacteria out of the bladder, and decrease irritation.
• Do not give your child carbonated or caffeinated beverages, which can irritate the bladder wall.
• Wash the genital area once a day with plain water or mild soap. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.
  • Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay, and use as little soap as possible.
  • Do not use deodorant soaps on your child.
  • Avoid bubble baths, powders or perfumed soaps, which can irritate and dry the skin.
• Wash your child's clothes with a mild soap, such as CheerFree or Ecover, rather than a detergent. Rinse twice to remove all traces of the cleaning product. Avoid strong detergents.
• Change your child's diapers when wet and immediately after a bowel movement. Wash your hands before and after each diaper change.
• Wipe your child from front to back when changing a diaper or helping with the toilet, and teach children to wipe in this direction. This may reduce the spread of bacteria from the Reference anus Opens New Window to the Reference urethra Opens New Window.
• Dress your child in cotton underwear and loose clothing.
• Encourage older children to urinate whenever they feel the need.
• Avoid constipation. For more information, see the topic Reference Constipation, Age 11 and Younger.

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