Strong Urine Smell in Babies: Causes & Treatment

Taking care of a baby is not easy, and as a first-time parent, you may find it challenging. There are countless things that could go wrong and this forces parents to be on their toes at all times. You are likely to worry about every minor and major health issue that your little one may experience, and rightly so, you’re a parent, after all. For instance, if you notice a strong smell of urine from the baby, you’re likely to worry if something’s wrong with your baby, and you might panic. But should you? Read this article to find out!

What Are the Causes of Smelly Urine in Babies?

There could be many reasons for your baby’s urine to smell pungent. It is not always something that you need to worry about but here are some causes for why baby urine smells strong.

1. Urinary Tract Infection

UTI happens bacteria enter the urinary tract. Although UTI is not contagious, it can be unpleasant and a nuisance to deal with and could also lead to foul-smelling urine. A UTI affects girls more than it does boys due to human anatomy. Since a UTI is hard to detect amongst infants, you must watch out for other symptoms like fever, vomiting, irritability etc.

2. A Mother’s Feeding Habits

Bad smelling urine in a baby could be something as simple as the food that the mother consumed. Eating vegetables and herbs like asparagus, onion, and garlic can make a baby’s urine to smell. At any point, if you notice that your baby’s urine colour is far from clear, keep a track of what you eat and drink, as it could be due to your diet or dehydration.

3. Additional Requirement for Milk

For most babies, the only way they get any kind of water in their system is through breastmilk. Their nutritional requirements are met through the breast milk, and they must be fed thoroughly so that at no point they go hungry. Being hungry and dehydrated can concentrate their urine and in turn, lead to the foul-smelling urine. If you find out that your breastfeeding supplies are running low, there are methods that you can find online to increase it.

4. Maternal Medications

If you are on antibiotics, it may also cause malodorous urine in breastfed babies. So, if your child’s urine smells bad, note down which medicine you took and mention it to your doctor.

5. Constipation

If your baby is not having a soft daily bowel movement, it could lead to a foul urine odour. Constipation can keep the baby’s bladder from emptying completely on the first try, and the leftover urine can become stinky from hanging out in the bladder for too long.

6. The Smell of Ammonia

While changing your baby’s nappy, you might wonder why it smells slightly of ammonia. This is the normal waste from the kidneys and is not an immediate cause for concern. But, if you notice your baby’s urine continues to smell, it could be a sign of infection.

Why Does a Baby’s Urine Smell Like Ammonia?

Sometimes, an infant’s urine may smell of strong ammonia. Ammonia has an unpleasant and pungent smell. This smell can sometimes be a bit overwhelming but you need not worry. It can happen during early morning or if the baby is dehydrated. The kidney is required to process more than it usually does and this causes the urine to smell of ammonia.

Why Does a Baby’s Urine Smell Like Poop?

This could be a simple sign of your baby having a UTI. Sometimes, the bacteria from the anus can enter the urinary tract of your baby, leading to an infection. Make sure to clean and wipe properly so that the next time, your baby is not feeling miserable.

Why Does a Baby’s Urine Smell Like Vinegar?

If your baby’s urine smells like vinegar, it could be due to dehydration or a UTI, or something you ate. Vinegar smell from urine could also mean that your baby may come down with a cold. If your little one is already sick, her urine may smell of vinegar. It could be also due to acid reflux. Also, if the baby’s body is not able to produce enough lactose to keep up with the amount of lactose that she is fed, it can lead to smelly urine.

Symptoms of Smelly Urine in Infants

If your baby’s urine smells bad, there are some symptoms that you should watch out for so that you can decide if you need medical intervention or if it can be controlled at home. Here are the symptoms.

• Urinary tract infection
• An unhealthy diet
• Lack of hydration
• Bacterial infection
• Foamy or cloudy urine
• Dark urine, such as bloody, tea-coloured, or pink-tinged
• Dribbling of urine
• Crying
• Irritability

Treatment for Smelly Urine in Babies

Here are some treatments you can follow for smelly urine in babies:

• Rehydration therapy with IV or oral fluids.
• Frequent bottle or breastfeeding for maintaining hydration.
• Antibiotics for persistent and recurrent UTIs.
• Modification in the maternal diet.
• Substituting maternal or baby’s medications that are causing abnormal colour and smell of urine

Prevention of Smelly Urine in Babies

When babies are hydrated well, they have at least five wet diapers per day with pale or straw-yellow urine. Therefore, meeting the baby’s fluid requirements through feeding and fluids can dilute urine and reduce the intensity of the foul/sweet smell. Also, the baby’s diapers should be changed on time to prevent them from stinking.

Is Smelly Urine a Sign of Teething?

Many parents think that smelly urine is a sign of teething in babies, but there is no scientific evidence to support this. If your baby’s urine smells a lot, you should check with a doctor without making any assumptions or trying home remedies.

When to Consult a Doctor?

In case it seems like the symptoms are persisting or getting worse, make sure to take your baby to a doctor. You can also carry a soiled diaper with you so that the doctor has a better idea of what he/she is tackling. It is easy to brush off some symptoms at home because many parents live in denial about their baby being unwell. However, if your baby has blood in their stools, vomiting, fever or anything remotely harmful to their health, you must make sure that you take them to a doctor and provide the right treatment.

FAQs

1. Can Diaper Rash Lead to Strong Urine Smell in Infants?

Yes, if the diaper is not changed for long hours, then stool and urine can combine to make ammonia, making the diaper smell of ammonia and causing a diaper rash.

2. How Often Should You Change Your Baby’s Diaper to Prevent Strong Smelly Urine?

You must change your baby’s diaper eight to 12 times a day to prevent urine smell and maintain hygiene.

If your baby’s urine smells a lot, without delay you must consult a doctor. If you are confident enough about being able to handle it at home, then again consult with your doctor before trying any home remedial measures.

References/Resources:

1. Diaper Rash; seattlechildrens.org; https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/diaper-rash/ 

2. Urine odor; medlineplus.gov; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007298.htm

3. Changing Diapers; healthychildren.org; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Changing-Diapers.aspx

4. Urine Smell: What Does It Mean?; health.clevelandclinic.org; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-does-my-urine-smell/

5. Why Does My Child Have Stinky Pee?; nationwidechildrens.org; https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2021/12/why-does-my-child-have-stinky-pee

Also Read:

Mucus in Infant’s Poop
Infant Poop: What’s Normal & What’s Not
Abnormal Signs In Your Infant’s Pee & Poop That Need Immediate Attention!