Home Remedies for UTIs in Children: A Parent's Guide
Home Treatment Options For Children With Urinary Tract Infections
5 min read
Miscellaneous
The urinary system is essential for filtering and removing waste from a child's body. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children and can be either a bladder or a fungus infection. Antibiotics are often prescribed to treat UTIs, but home remedies can also be effective.
Home Remedies
The following are some safe and effective home remedies for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children-
Personal Hygienic
Warm bath daily
Once every day, give your infant a warm bath with hypoallergenic soap. The warm water will alleviate your infant's suffering and disinfect their private areas, preventing unwanted bacterial growth.
Use cloth diapers
Cloth diapers can be changed more frequently since they do not absorb liquids, including urine and feces. Therefore, using cloth diapers can be an effective means of preventing the excessive growth of bacteria.
Keep your child's intimate areas clean.
Frequent diaper changes are necessary for your infant. Use antibacterial baby wipes to clean her private areas before applying a new diaper. Please cleanse your hands before proceeding.
Remind the child to urinate frequently
Urination is painful when a person has a urinary tract infection (UTI). You may instruct your kid to urinate frequently. Encourage them to urinate more.
Back-to-Front Wiping (for girls)
UTIs can be prevented and treated by wiping from front to back when cleaning a female child's private areas. This helps avoid the transfer of bacteria from feces to the urinary system. Use separate toilet paper for the genitals and anus to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Put some water in a pot and wrap a towel around the top. Then, apply the warm towel to your infant's lower abdomen. It should be repeated throughout the day. This will alleviate her pain. Check the towel's temperature before placing it on the baby's stomach.
Make wear slacks and cotton underwear.
Your child's private parts will remain dry if you require her to wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear. As bacteria cannot increase in dry environments, this will treat and prevent future UTIs.
Massage with Cod Liver oil
Due to its vitamin A and D content, high-quality cod liver oil is an additional treatment for UTIs. Vitamin D in the oil generates the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin in the bladder, which helps prevent UTIs and is particularly beneficial in recurrent UTIs.
Dietary Nourishment
Keep hydrated with water (6 Months+)
Encourage your child to stay hydrated with water to flush out toxins. Infants under six months should be given breast milk instead of water. Children should drink one eight-ounce cup of water per year of age, increasing with activity or weather changes.
Add lemon juice (9 Months+)
Lemon juice is a diuretic that increases urine flow and prevents the growth of bacteria by altering the pH level. Giving lemon juice daily can help prevent UTIs in children.
Drink coconut water (6 Months+)
A urinary tract infection can be treated by consuming coconut water for several days. This is because coconut water soothes and cools the inflammation caused by the harmful bacteria.
Include Probiotics (6 Months+)
Good bacteria are essential for preventing the expansion of harmful pathogens by restoring the body's natural flora and increasing bacterial resistance, probiotics aid in treating and preventing UTIs.
Homemade Fruit Juices (6 Months+)
Cranberry, blueberry, and pineapple juice are good options for infants over six months old to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. Dilute the juice before giving it to your child and consult a pediatrician.
Include Foods Rich in Vitamin C (6 Months+)
Vitamin C helps promote healthy bladder function and acidifies urine, making it an effective strategy to treat UTIs in children. Fruits rich in Vitamin C or Vitamin C supplements can be provided to children after consulting a physician.
Coconut Oil (6 Months+)
Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your child's food effectively treats UTIs because it facilitates urination.
Additionally, you can apply a drop of coconut oil to your child's urethra just before they urinate.
Include Garlic (12 Months+)
Recent research indicates that garlic extract is an effective weapon against UTI-associated pathogenic bacteria. Ensure that you include garlic in your child's diet.
Pineapples (9 Months+)
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, degrades proteins that cause inflammation. When this combines with another enzyme, trypsin, it becomes an effective treatment for urinary tract infections. Therefore, giving your baby pineapple strips as finger food is an effective and straightforward way to treat the infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a great option (12 Months+)
ACV is a great home remedy for UTIs in children due to its high potassium content, which inhibits E. coli growth. Its acetic acid also has antibacterial properties that eliminate harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. To use it, mix it with honey and water and give it to your child orally every morning for a week.
Cucumber (6 Months+)
Cucumber can prevent UTIs as it has diuretic properties and alkaline-forming minerals that inhibit bacteria in the urinary tract. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate pain and inflammation.
Skip acidic food and drinks
When introducing semi-solids, solids, and fluids to your child, avoid acidic foods and drinks. Instead, provide them with bland, non-acidic foods like vegetables, fruits, and breast milk.
Conclusion
Personal hygiene practices and dietary nourishment can help treat and prevent UTIs in children. Home remedies can be safe and effective, but if symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention.
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