Babies frequently pass urine. Some babies may pass more and some less; there is no set rule for this. Here is a guide on number of times babies pass urine.How many times is it normal for a baby to urinate?
There is no set number of times that babies pass urine. Some babies pass urine 12-15 times a day (or even more); others pass urine only 8 times a day. As newborns, they pass urine much more frequently. As babies get older, they urinate fewer times in a day, but tend to pass a lot more urine each time.
Can the urine flow tell me if my baby is getting enough fluids?
Yes. Whether the baby is breastfed or bottle-fed, as long as she passes urine at least 7-8 times in a 24-hour period, the baby is considered to be getting enough fluids (or enough milk, in the case of exclusively breastfed babies). If the baby starts passing urine fewer times, then you should consult your doctor for advice.
Can I tell when my baby is most likely to urinate?
Babies have their own schedules. Some babies pass urine within a couple of minutes of feeding, others wait for 5-10 minutes. In general, however, babies are most likely to pass urine sometime soon after feeding. So if you would like to know when you will definitely have to change her
nappy, this is the time.
What can be called a wet diaper?
Checking the diaper can be an effective way to say if your baby is urinating frequently. The disposable ones can absorb urine really good, making it difficult for you to determine if it actually has urine. To know how to check if your baby urinated in the
diapers here are some pointers that you can keep in mind. Take a look:
- You can pour around 30ml water in a clean diaper and see how it appears. This shall give you a better idea of how the diaper shall look after your baby has urinated.
- You can test the diaper by pressing a tissue paper on it.
- If you are about to change the nappy, inspect the diaper to see how heavy or wet it is.
- Using cloth diapers can be a very effective way to know if your baby has urinated.
Concentrated or brisk dust urine
You may find her urine very concentrated in the initial few days because of crystal depositions. These may also appear pink in colour and leave behind a powdery strain in the diaper. However, there is no need to worry, as this is a normal occurrence in
newborns. Your baby's urine shall no longer remain so concentrated once she starts taking your breastmilk. Her urine should become odourless and pale yellow with time.
The concentrated urine shall appear dark in colour. You need not worry if it happens occasionally. In case you see the frequency increasing, you need to get in touch with your doctor.
When to call the doctor?
These are the following cases when you might want to call the doctor. Take a look:
- In case you find concentrated and dust strained urine even after the 4th day of her birth.
- If your baby has less than 6 wet diapers in a day.
- In case your baby is producing only dark yellow coloured urine in small amounts.
These should be taken as signs that she is not getting enough milk. You will have to take her to the doctor for a physical examination. Your
doctor may also ask you about the breast feeding techniques you follow. You may be referred to a lactation specialist to guide you about right position and latch.
Blood stains in the diaper
It is generally common for girls to have some blood with vaginal discharge in the diaper. This is a false menstruation also known as pseudo menstruation. This result from hormonal changes and you should not be bothered about it but you need to bring this to the notice of your doctor.
Even boys may have some blood discharge on the diapers. This is the result of bleeding from the circumcision that generally stays for few hours. You can expect few drops of blood on the diaper on the 1st day. Again you need to bring this to the notice of your doctor. Your baby shall be able to pass urine after 12 hours.
Blood that is not the result of pseudo menstruation or circumcision should be considered seriously. In case you find symptoms like pain during urination you must call your doctor immediately.
You need to keep in mind that pattern of urination shall change in breastfed babies with time. Her demand for milk shall also change and thus you need to ensure she gets all the milk she needs to keep the pees and pops normal. Keeping a track of the number of times she passes urine shall help you determine if she is getting the right amount of milk. Also, for anything unusual you must get in touch with your doctor at the earliest.