UTI Likely (Toddler Boy) or Something Else? [Updated: I Guess Not]
Updated on
October 27, 2010
L.D.
asks from
Plano, TX
5
answers
My son, 2.5 years, has started the first stages of potty training, can go on the potty when told to try, but doesn't tell us when he feels the urge. Usually, we don't find out he wet the diaper until we ask (he doesn't care about being wet). Usually when changing his diaper/pull-up he asks to go potty before putting on the new one. When put on the potty, he did not have any trouble going and then getting back to his day. [[editing to clarify - i realize this is normal. i included this so that it could be seen as a contrast to the more recent changes.]]
In the past 2 weeks, at bedtime, he started a new "routine". It goes like this: We get ready for bed, try to go potty. Put on night time diaper/pullup, pajamas, do regular routine (book etc) and lights out. Five-ten minutes later, he comes out holding it saying he went peepee in his diaper. Sit on potty, probably don't produce anything. Back to bed. Repeat 2-3 times. Parents get mad, tell him not to get out of bed any more for any reason. It continues until he gets the final warning and we lock the door. (we unlock it after an hour or so once we know he's asleep). [[edited to add: we don't yell at him and lock the door and refuse to respond. we tell him ahead of time why we're doing that, put him to bed nicely but firmly, and he's never once acted distressed by it. FYI, if at a later point he cries or knocks on the door (which has only happened twice), we respond to him, but he can't just get up and wander around the house. this is akin to using a baby gate, but with the door closed, light and sound don't go into the room from the hallway. when we do this, he does not cry, he is not upset, he simply realizes he isn't able to leave the room on a whim, and goes to sleep.]]
After the first couple days, we made sure to go potty as the last thing. We put pullups on him and two-piece pj's. We tried putting the little potty in his room so he could go in there when he needed to go, and not need to come out and tell us. (He went in his diaper anyway and came out to tell us.)
In the past day or two, when getting his diaper changed, he says he has to go peepee. Sits there, may produce a tiny amount and may not. Starts to get off the pot, then climbs back on saying "I just some more" (ie, just a little more).... over and over again until I get frustrated, usually after about ten minutes (ten minutes is a LONG TIME to sit there waiting for someone to pee, even a little someone!)
Yesterday he was acting "off" and felt warm - temp was 101.5. It spiked to 102 by bedtime, although in the middle of the night I checked it and it was back down to 99.9, and stayed there until morning.
Both yesterday evening, and again this morning after being awake about 2 hours, we had extreme examples of the "I just some more" thing... 30 minutes of sitting last night (I just let him sit in there while I tended my littler one and kept checking in) - finally I just told him we'd put on a diaper and he needed to go to bed... and another 15 minutes today. He got off the pot by himself today, but I think it was because he wanted a blanket and it seemed like he was headed back in there (I put him to bed instead).
He's had no appetite, but been otherwise not acting weird - at least, considering he has a 101 fever. He's been tired, no energy, but fairly good mood. After we took daddy to work (70min round trip in the car), we came home to eat breakfast and he threw up, just the once. Afterward (a little later) he asked for orange juice which he drank without incident.
We went to the doctor.
When I left the house, his temperature was 100.3. When the nurse took it 30 minutes later, it was 98! Figures.
They took a urine sample (luckily they were able to work with the little he produced in his first try) and also did a strep test - both negative. They're going to culture it to make sure they didn't miss anything, but since his temp hasn't gone back past 99.5 since then, apparently it was just a 24 hour viral thing.
Thanks to all that gave the constipation tip. I suspect that could be a related issue - he's pooping about once every other day. It's not hard (not true constipation) but the pressure could be confusing him when it's time to pee.
Also, it sounds like, since he doesn't know how to recognize the "I have to go" feeling (his cues are when we ask if he's wet/dry or when we change the pull-up), even though he's 2y8mo and has interest, he's just not ready yet. We're going to ease off the whole thing as much as possible, doing it just when he initiates, and try again in a couple months.
Thanks!
More Answers
J.P.
answers from
Boise
on
Doesn't sound like a UTI to me, it sounds like a boy that might be sick, and a 2.5 year old. My son will sit on the potty until he gets the imprint of the toilet seat on his bum. He says he isn't done! But, nothing more happens. If we have "something" to look forward afterwards (bedtime isn't always a driving force), that can sometimes speed things up. He has also been delaying bedtime lately, and your son may have found that the potty is a good delay. The tired could have to do with the later bedtime or with whatever the fever is related to.
As far as not letting you know, most 2.5 yo's don't yet know when they have to go, which is why you just keep taking them. We take our son, if he goes, we wait an hour and try again. If he doesn't, we wait 20 minutes and try again. He just doesn't have the body awareness yet to tell use or to know that he needs to go.
I would call the ped...can't hurt, and maybe everything will be back to normal after treatment, or, he could just be 2.5.
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K.W.
answers from
Dallas
on
First, I wanna say we did the EXACT same thing with our middle, per his pediatrician. The door locking, potty, etc., and he's great! Don't let anyone get you bothered by their comments.
Secondly, at this age, a UTI is rare but can happen. Does he act uncomfortable when he does urinate, is he holding his tummy like it hurts, and is he going every 6 hours at least? I am pretty sure the sitting on the potty is more of a control issue for him. The fever and loss of appetite may not be related. When a child has fever, it burns up their extra hydration, decreasing urinary output. Keep him extra hydrated while he's febrile. If he begins complaining of pain, take him in. Best wishes! He may just want your attention away from the other child, and that's normal.
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S.H.
answers from
St. Louis
on
as with any fever-related illness, if there is any question.....then the 1st choice should be calling the doctor.
A lot of different things are jumping out at me:
1. if you're beginning potty-training, then YES dribbles & stop/start action is normal. If you feel frustated with waiting for him, then continue with your day & periodically check on him. He's playing to an audience & feeding off of your lack of patience!
2. the fever could just be a virus....lots of them going around.
3. if he doesn't mind being wet, if he's not telling you BEFORE he has to go. Then he has not achieved the all-important self-awareness which is imperative to effective potty-training. Until he KNOWS he has to go.... potty-training is NOT going to happen. All you're doing is training yourself to ask him to sit on the potty & he's occasionally having success.
4. night dryness has to come before even attempting to be trained thru the night. This is usually a couple of months after full days of dryness. It does not always coincide.
5. the whole bedtime/bathroom thing sounds like delaying tactics on his part. It also sounds like he's trying to take charge of his actions, struggling for autonomy....which comes into play thru the "terrible twos & threes".
6. DO NOT LOCK HIS DOOR!! This creates huge psychological effects which are detrimental to positive growth. Switch to a positive rewards method, please!!!
Hmmm, that's enough! I think you're looking at a bucketload of different issues, compounded by a child who's ill. !!! Good Luck!
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K.E.
answers from
Buffalo
on
I would call the doctor. But if you suspect UTI give him some cranberry juice that will flush his UTsystem out. I give my kids at least 1 glass every couple of days just to keep things clean. You can mix it w/ apple juice if too bitter for him.
Call Dr if you are concerned. Sometimes they know what is going around and can tell you what is up over the phone no visit necessary. Mine does all the time. and they are always on the money.
Good luck and I hope the little one feels better. Oh also when kids don't feel good the potty training regresses a little, so if it is a cold he should be back on tract after he feels better.
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L.L.
answers from
Dallas
on
It does sound like he has some type of uti infection. I would take him to your pediatrician asap because the longer a uti goes untreated it increases the chances of it turning into a bladder or kidney infection. Until you can go to the doctor i would suggest trying not to give him an acidic drinks or fruits. While you are waiting to go to the doctor try and see if he can tell you if it hurts when he goes. If you have ever had a uti infection you will remember that it does hurt or feels hot when trying to go. Good luck.
