Healthy habits to support bladder health in kids

Good personal hygiene and healthy bathroom habits can be important ways to help prevent bladder issues and infections in kids.

Alexandra Carolan, M.D., Pediatric Urologist at Children’s Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, shares tips and advice for parents on how to minimize bacteria from causing bladder problems – and keep kids of all ages as healthy as possible.

Healthy bladder hygiene habits

Take regular bathroom breaks

Encourage your child to pee every 2 to 3 hours, even if they don’t feel the urge. Holding urine for too long gives bacteria more time to grow.

"Young kids can get really busy and distracted by all the fun things in the world and resist going to the bathroom," Dr. Carolan said. "But if they go 4 or 6 hours without peeing, that gives bacteria a much longer time to multiply in the bladder."

When a young child resists going to the bathroom, Dr. Carolan recommends parents and caregivers:

• Use a watch with an alarm set to go off every two hours.

• Model going to the bathroom often. You might say: Hey, it's been a few hours since I went to the bathroom so I'm going to empty my bladder. What about you? Want to come with me?

• Create a reward chart where you track going to the bathroom every 2 to 3 hours.

Learn more about common potty problems and common bladder problems in kids.

Avoid constipation

It's a little known fact: constipation is the biggest risk factor for developing urinary tract infections in kids. There are a few reasons for this:

• When the rectum is full of poop, there’s not much room in the pelvis for the bladder to fill properly.

• A full rectum can also make it more difficult to completely empty the bladder.

• Constipation can lead to urinary frequency and burning with urination.

Her hydration rule of thumb: Have kids drink one 8-ounce cup of water for every year of age. For example, a 4-year-old should drink about 4 cups a day, and by age 8, children can follow the adult guideline of 8 cups a day.

Get more hydration tips for children or learn how sugary drinks affect kids' health.

Wipe from front to back

Teaching kids to wipe from front to back is an important habit for bladder health, especially for girls. It helps prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra, which can lead to infections.

In girls, the urethra (the opening for pee to exit the body) is much closer to their rectum (the opening for poop to exit the body) than it is in boys. This makes it easier for bacteria from the colon to travel to the bladder and cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).

"Kids often need quite a bit of coaching to learn how to wipe from front to back consistently for themselves," said Dr. Carolan.

Gently clean the genitals

It's important for all kids to gently wash their genital area when they shower or bathe. Whether cleaning a penis or vulva, warm water is usually enough – with or without a mild, unscented soap.

"Avoid using irritating soaps in the genital area or scrubbing too hard. Vaginal tissues in particular are really sensitive," said Dr. Carolan. "Heavily scented bubble baths and soaps can be irritating."

Dr. Carolan also recommends avoiding scented diaper wipes, especially if your child shows signs of sensitivity. "Scented products can cause irritation, but not necessarily infection," she said.

Avoid sprays and douching

For teens, it's important to avoid vaginal sprays, deodorant sprays, or other scented products around the genital area, as they can upset the body's natural balance and affect bladder health.

"I encourage teens to know that the way they smell is very normal," Dr. Carolan said. "Vaginal sprays can change the pH of the vagina and alter the good bacteria that protect against urinary tract infections. If they smell different than their normal smell, they should let their parents or doctor know for further evaluation."

Use menstrual products correctly

When using menstrual products, it's important to follow the guidelines on the packaging.

"It's not clear that wearing pads for a long time contributes to bladder problems, but we do know that bacteria thrive in warm, moist places," Dr. Carolan said. "With tampons, there’s also no clear link between using them and urinary tract infections. But make sure to follow the guidelines on the packaging for changing tampons regularly to prevent toxic shock syndrome."

Properly care for an uncircumcised penis

Children with an uncircumcised penis have a slightly higher risk of UTIs, so learning proper hygiene is important. Here are Dr. Carolan's tips for care:

• In young children, it’s normal to not be able to retract the foreskin. Never try to force it.

• As kids grow, the foreskin gradually begins to separate from the head of the penis. This typically happens around 5 years old, but sometimes it does not happen until puberty.

• Until then, gently push back the foreskin without pulling or stretching, and clean the area as best you can.

• Once the foreskin naturally retracts, teach them to gently pull it back, clean underneath and return it to its original position as part of their daily hygiene routine.

• Let them know it’s normal for skin cells to shed as the foreskin separates. These can form into a white, cheesy substance called smegma, which is harmless and not a sign of infection.

Read more about common questions moms of boys have.

Avoid consuming potential bladder irritants

There's no strong evidence that soda or caffeine directly causes UTIs in kids, but some foods and drinks can irritate the bladder and mimic UTI symptoms.

"If a child has a sensitive bladder or overactive bladder, we generally advise them to avoid foods and drinks that are known irritants," said Dr. Carolan.

Common bladder irritants include:

• Caffeinated drinks

• Carbonated drinks

• Spicy foods

• Citrus fruits

When to find care for bladder issues

Good hygiene and healthy habits can go a long way in supporting your child’s bladder health. But if your child continues to have UTIs or other bladder problems, it's important to contact your doctor for help.

Dr. Carolan emphasizes that bladder issues are never a child's fault – and no one should feel ashamed about needing care. In fact, early evaluation and treatment can prevent long-term health problems.

It's important to get medical care if:

• Your child shows symptoms of a UTI. These include pain when urinating, frequent urination or fever. A simple urine test can confirm an infection.

• Your child has had two or more UTIs in 6 months OR three UTIs in a year. A pediatric urologist can help determine if there’s an underlying issue contributing to frequent infections.

• Your baby has one UTI with a fever. Infants may need further evaluation even after just one UTI with a fever.

"There are many reasons a child might have recurring UTIs," says Dr. Carolan. "Sometimes it’s due to anatomical differences like hydronephrosis or vesicoureteral reflux. These are medical conditions that require specialized care – and they’re not something hygiene alone can fix."

Support for every stage

At Children's Health, our pediatric voiding improvement program helps kids who struggle with issues like bedwetting, urinary frequency or trouble fully emptying their bladder. Our urology team also provides expert care for the full range of bladder and kidney conditions, including complex cases that may require advanced treatment. Learn more about our Pediatric Urology services.