can toddlers/infants get UTIs from this?

Question

I have a daughter who is 2 and,
I heard that toddlers/infants can get Urinary Tract Infections from having been given a bubble bath.
do you know how true if at all this is?
cause my daughter really enjoys the bubbles in her bath water and I'd hate to take them away. :)
I heard it from a nurse at our local hospital.

Answer 1

It is very true. My daughter was getting them alot and we could not figure out why. After doing some research and taking her to a specialist, I found out that some of the chemicals in 'bubble bath liquids" irritate the uretha and can travel up the uretha and cause bacteria build up which lead to the UT infections. This was very disheartening to my daughter as she loves bubble baths. So now instead of buying bubble bath I buy baby wash and add a little under the water flow and badda bing bubble bath with no infections.

Answer 2

Yes I have heard this and several pediatricians have told me the same thing. It has to do with how long they sit in it or something? I don't know for certain but I know you can do an Internet search for specific information. I don't give my daughter bubble baths on any regular basis because she already has UTI issues as it is and I don't need any other reason to make things worse!

I would say if you truly want to allwo your daughter the fun and excitement of bubble baths...... 1) Limit the time she's in the tub with the bubbles. Fifteen minutes is one thing but 1.5 hours is quite another. And 2) Rinse her with clean bath water when she's finished.

You can only do your best... I still feel bubble baths should be somewhat a part of childhood so this is one of those little "bummers" where you just have to do what you feel comfortable doing and hope you're doing the right thing for your child. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well if this is true, I would be suing my hospital!

When I gave birth, I was showed how to bathe my daughter before I left, and they used baby wash as a sort of bubble bath - no one mentioned anything to me about it giving her a UTI! I was only told it might be harsh on their skin and to try a few different products if I noticed a rash or dry skin.

I think maybe the issue would be if your child was to sit in the water too long or use the same bathwater after you or someone else in the family - I seriously doubt its the bubble bath itself that would cause an infection. Do you notice any cuts (or even ripped cuticles) on your hands getting infected badly from washing your child in the bath?

I say let your daughter have her bubbles - I occasionally have to stop using the bubbles when my daughters skin breaks out and I hate seeing how upset she is without her bubbles!

Answer 4

Yes, its possible. I remember hearing about this for years also. There was a big todo about "Mr Bubble" bubblebath having that problem. If you do give your daughter a bubble bath, I like one now and then too - Be sure to rinse her very well, with warm clear water. Just getting out of bubble bath and drying off isn't enough to avoid a UTI.

Answer 5

yes yes yes
my girls got UTIs alot untill we found out that giving bubbke baths to girs was bad and couse UTIs was informed by are DR. not to give them bubble baths
and we also looked it up check this out
reed this it will tell you everything

http://www.boystownpediatrics.org/HealthTips/urinary.asp
now that we no longer let them take bubble baths its been 2 yrs and no UTIs. So what they said was true :)
so if you want bubbles use baby shampoo/baby wash in the water. use nothing that says bubblebath for girls of any age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i give this question a big a star

Answer 6

My mom wouldn't let me take bubble baths or wear colored underwear because my ped. told her the same thing. What a bummer! I'm interested in seeing if anyone actually does the research and finds what it recommended now.

Answer 7

Bubble baths can cause urethral irritation, and thus UTIs.