Urine is a clear or pale yellow, with a mild smell in most babies. However, there can be instances when you notice strong-smelling urine in babies. If your baby is well-hydrated and urine is pale, occasional strong-smelling urine is not a cause for concern. Sometimes, a strong urine odor can be due to inadequate feeding. However, it is advised to seek pediatric evaluation if your baby has persistent foul-smelling urine.
Read this post to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of strong-smelling urine in babies.
Risk Factors And Causes Of Smelly Urine
The smell of a baby’s urine may change due to various factors ranging from diet to illnesses. Babies may have pungent urine due to the following reasons (1).
- Not getting enough milk and dehydration may cause dark and strong-smelling urine due to increased concentration of urine.
- Urinary tract infections may cause foul-smelling urine in babies. You may also look for other UTI symptoms, such as fever, since all babies with foul-smelling urine may not have UTI.
- Maternal diet may influence the smell of urine in breastfed babies. Although scientific evidence is lacking, certain foods, such as onion, asparagus, and garlic, in a mother’s diet may cause an unusual smell in the baby’s urine.
- Maternal medications, such as antibiotics, may also cause malodorous urine in breastfed babies.
- Diabetes (increased blood glucose) or maple syrup urine disease may cause a sweet urine odor.
- Liver failure may also cause smelly urine in babies. This is usually associated with jaundice (yellow skin).
- Constipation: When your child has infrequent, firm bowels, the urine may have an unpleasant odor. Parents frequently confuse this with a bladder infection. However, if the only symptom is foul-smelling urine, it is unlikely to be a UTI. Constipation can make it difficult to completely empty the bladder, causing the remaining urine to develop an odor. Providing your child with a fiber-rich diet, adequate water, and regular physical activity might help encourage healthy bowel movements and, as a result, ease possible urine odor issues. If the issue persists or there are new symptoms, consult your healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and guidance (4).
Dr. Sharon Wiener, a Texas-based board-certified pediatrician, says, “If your baby’s urine smells like vinegar, it is generally due to mild dehydration from not taking in fluids (breast milk) overnight. But it can also be due to something mom has eaten; for example, asparagus. If the odor is persistent and does not resolve quickly, it is always better to present it to your pediatrician to ensure it is not a urinary tract infection.”
Sometimes urine may smell different as babies grow older. Not changing nappies for a long time may also cause smelly urine. Some babies could have foul-smelling urine without any other issues. You may consult a pediatrician if you are concerned.
Symptoms And Signs That May Occur With Smelly Urine
You may notice the following signs and symptoms of possible underlying conditions in babies with persistent smelly urine (2).
- Foamy or cloudy urine
- Dark urine such as bloody, tea-colored, or pink-tinged
- Dribbling of urine
- Oliguria or no urine
- Fever
- EdemaiXSwelling caused by fluid in the body’s tissues
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and dry mouth
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Crying
- Lethargy
These signs may arise due to conditions that are also the reason behind smelly urine. If your baby is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above along with a potent urine odor, it is highly recommended that you seek pediatric care.
Treatment For Smelly Urine
Occasional cases of smelly urine may not require any treatment. Babies with persistent strong- or foul-smelling urine should be evaluated and treated. The treatment options may vary depending on the underlying cause.
- Rehydration therapy with intravenousiXGiving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into the vein (IV) or oral fluids for dehydration
- Frequent bottle or breastfeeding suggested for maintaining hydration
- Antibiotics for persistent and recurrent urinary tract infectionsiXWhen bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract
- Removal of bladder stones
- Control of diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- Maternal diet modifications
- Changing maternal or infant’s medications that may cause abnormal color and smell of urine
Prevention Of Smelly Urine In Babies
Meeting the baby’s fluid requirements through feeding and fluids can dilute urine and reduce the intensity of its smell. Babies will have at least five wet diapers per day with pale or straw yellow urine if they are hydrated well. Diapers should be changed on time to prevent them from stinking. Treating and controlling underlying conditions also help to prevent offensive urine odor.
Inadequate hydration is the usual cause of strong-smelling urine in babies. Changing diapers after long intervals that can also give out a foul diaper odor. Increasing breastfeeding frequency or rehydration therapy for oral babies may resolve the problem without complications. However, some underlying conditions such as urinary tract infections, jaundice, diabetes, or maternal medications may cause a foul smell in urine. Check with a pediatrician if the condition doesn’t subside in a few days or if other symptoms such as fever, blood in urine, lethargy, or irritability are involved.
Key Pointers
- Strong urine smell in babies could be due to varied reasons such as maternal medications or diet, or lack of milk.
- No need to worry as there are treatments depending on the cause.
- Consult a pediatrician if you notice a persistent foul smell.
Are you concerned and do you wonder why your baby’s diaper smells strange in the mornings? Check out this informative video to get a clear picture of what exactly is causing this and how it can be dealt with.
