Latest on Mama Says
  • Julia is One!

    Julia is One!

    Julianna is one year old today!  Hard to believe it was a year ago that her Daddy had to catch her in the bathroom. She is still a little nursing piglet.  She wears a size 5 shoe.  Her favorite game is peek-a-boo, and her favorite toy is a ball.  Her favorite food ...

    Read More

  • 6 Reasons Moms Need Business Cards

    6 Reasons Moms Need Business Cards

    I have business cards, and boy, do they come in handy.  How?  Here's some of the ways I use my cards. 1. Give them to other moms.  How often have you scrambled for a scrap of paper to write down your phone number for a mother of your child's classmate or ...

    Read More

  • Hack Budget Back {week 1}

    Hack Budget Back {week 1}

    Hack your budget back!  Join me as I try to reclaim my grocery budget.  Post your shopping trip, tips for saving in the kitchen, or how you keep your grocery budget in check so we can all help each other! My goal to hack my budget back is to spend $200 a ...

    Read More

  • Earning Cash on the Web

    Earning Cash on the Web

    A lot of people asked for more specifics on how to earn money from home.  There are many ways to make some quick cash online.  Your first step is to do an (honest) inventory of your skills and knowledge. What do you know how to do that someone will ...

    Read More

  • How To Clean a Whiteboard

    How To Clean a Whiteboard

    Last year, we moved our school room from the little office/den to the family room.  When we ditched the office, we ditched the white board. A year later, I finally got a clue and realized that I could reclaim this space for a home office instead of wasting it on mere ...

    Read More

  • The Healthy Indian Diet

    The Healthy Indian Diet

      I've been more and more interested in trying and making Indian food lately.  I make Mark Bittman's dal and even the neighbor kids like it.  But I don't know much about the cuisine and all of the recipes I've cooked actually come from old white guys (Bittman, and Andrew Weil.) Indian ...

    Read More

  • Christmas Gifts for Active Kids

    Christmas Gifts for Active Kids

    It's time for toy shopping. I'm not a big fan of toys that do only one thing, make a lot of electronic noises, and limit the imagination.  I want toys that inspire the mind and encourage the kids to be active; open ended toys that can be played with by children ...

    Read More

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

How to Get a Urine Sample From A Baby

by Milehimama on August 13, 2009

in Health

I had to get a urine sample from Baby A recently, and after messing it up, decided to look online for instructions.  There were none, at least none with pictures or illustrations which is what a sleep deprived mind boggled new mom needs.  10 years ago, I had similar problems getting a sample from Mr P as a newborn.

And so, without further adieu, here are my tips to take a urine sample from a baby, using a bag.  (If your doctor has special instructions, please do what he or she says!)

baby urine sample collection bag

If your doctor asks for a urine sample, he or she will give you some equipment.  A bag with a U-shaped sticky area, a receptacle to hold your baby’s pee, and possibly some sanitary wipes.  Make sure you get extra bags.  It’s very difficult to get a good sample, especially if your baby is the sort who poops a lot.

Standard method

You’ll need:

A Baby

june-2009-100

A collection bag, skin sanitizing wipes, and a diaper.

baby urine sample collection bag

Wipe baby carefully with sanitizing wipes (provided by dr. or lab, NOT the kind you use on your counter!).  If you have a daughter, be especially diligent to wipe all of the folds and creases.

newborn urine sample wipe carefully

Open the sterile package and remove the urine collection bag.  Remove the paper, exposing the sticky strip.

The adhesive isn’t terribly strong, so don’t worry that it will hurt your baby.  It will hold the bag, but isn’t like taking off a bandaid.

baby urine sample collection bag placement

Place the U-shaped foam pad and bag opening around your baby’s urinary opening.  Easy for a boy, a little more challenging for a girl.  The bulk of the bag should be above your baby’s genitals for a newborn, and the foam pad should look like a U (not an N).  Press gently on the adhesive and make sure it’s stuck.  *UPDATED TO ADD* We had to get another sample from Baby A at the doctor’s office, and this nurse put the bag on the other way – in an upside down U.  I guess it doesn’t really matter, and it simply depends on where you want the bag to lay, to the front or the back.

Diaper as usual, and wait for baby to pee.

The urine will collect in the bag.  When you change your baby, carefully wipe any poo off the bag and pour the pee into the jar or receptacle.  Put it in the fridge until you can get it to the lab.

If That Doesn’t Work…

Sometimes the force of the baby’s urine stream will dislodge the bag, and it will slip out of position or a baby’s stool will contaminate the urine sample.  You’re going to have to hold it.

Remove baby’s diaper, and carefully wipe his or her genitals with sanitizing wipes.

Place a waterproof pad or thick towel on your lap.

Place baby on towel.  Remove strip from collection bag and stick it to the baby, as before.

Leave the diaper off and hold the collection bag in place.  Placing a finger or two at the bottom of the U will help.

Wait for baby to pee.  Naptime is great for this.  Offer baby a drink to move things along.

You might want to get a good book or make sure the channel changer is nearby.

Toddler Method

If your child is old enough to sit up, you can try having them sit on a potty.  You’ll need to sterilize it first, though, with bleach (rinse very well) or boiling water.  Any stool will contaminate the urine sample, though, so it may take a couple of tries before you get a good sample.  Keep cleaning and sterilizing the potty – you don’t want bacteria from a poopy to cause a false positive!


{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }

Birdie August 13, 2009 at 11:54 am

Oh, my! You do post some unique tutorials. ;)

Marie August 13, 2009 at 11:27 am

I hate the little bags — so hard to get a clean sample! I’ve been known to chase a naked toddler around the house with two cups — one encouraging drinking and the other to rush to catch the result. Not the best method.
For what it’s worth, if you just need a sample for ketones, sugar, things that can’t be “contaminated”, you can put some cotton balls inside the diaper and squeeze them out.

Angela August 13, 2009 at 1:51 pm

Great tutorial. I never even thought about samples from a baby till I read this!

Brandi August 22, 2009 at 1:19 pm

My pediatrician won’t give us these bags. He wants to get a sample by inserting a catheter in my 23 month old baby girl. I refused and he acted like I was a nut. Anyone know where I can buy these? I called all of our local pharmacies and no one has them and no one else had even heard of them…. What the heck? Am I the only mom that doesn’t believe that a catheter should be a FIRST option….. As a last ditch effort fine but come on.

Milehimama August 22, 2009 at 1:57 pm

A catheter will give a sterile sample, depending on what the doctor needs it for. In our case, the sample was to test kidney function, not the presence of bacteria.

I know you can get them online, because I googled to find a picture for my blog.

However, a 23 month old should be able to pee in a potty and then have it poured into a sample cup. But check with the doctor to make sure that’s acceptable.

I’d get a second opinion from another pediatrician and ask why they need a catheter. Sometimes dr.s just assume moms will do what they want without explanation.

kinda January 1, 2010 at 9:19 pm

Thank you so much.

julie baker April 10, 2010 at 8:42 am

I have a different method to get a urine sample from a baby

Milehimama April 10, 2010 at 9:16 am

What is your method, Julie?

Bella June 1, 2010 at 4:15 am

I would love to know another method to get a urine sample. I have a 17 month old who is still in nappies. I have wasted 6 of the urine sample bags. The fall on when in nappy and when i leave her running around with it on she pulls it off because its uncomfortable. She has had a urine infection which they found out from using a catheter, this was the most awful thing i have been through watching her scream and look at me as if to say why are you letting them hut me mummy and i wont let that happen again. They want a sample now to know its gone. I have tried everything! Help?

Milehimama June 1, 2010 at 7:51 am

I haven’t ever had to get one from an older baby, but you may have to hold it or use a cup (which means lots of sitting and wrestling a baby!). Does she still nap? Maybe if it’s on in her diaper and she takes a nap, that would work. Also try putting it on the other way for an older baby, so the bag is towards the back, instead of towards the front.

Anna June 13, 2010 at 8:40 am

Oh my I am going thru the same thing, the doc suspects a UTI in my 16 month old and I WILL NOT allow for a catherer to be inserted, that is painful!!!!! I don’t know what Iam going to do. We are going to the hospital today to collect urine sample in the bag, I AM PRAYING that it works that way, NO CATHERER PLEASE!!!!

Milehimama June 13, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Good luck! It’s hard when they’re old enough to run around but not old enough to go in a cup.

Rick August 19, 2010 at 9:11 am

Thank you so much for your help. I live in the UK where my doctor gave me a bag with no instruction other than this fits inside the babies nappy. I have spent all day trying to get a sample and to no avail

So thank you, now I actually know how to work this thing I might get somewhere

Thanks

Milehimama August 19, 2010 at 9:36 am

That’s exactly why I wrote this post – I had no clue and couldn’t find instructions on the net! Hope your baby gets well soon!

Alisha May 12, 2011 at 12:13 am

Thank you for your post, it was very helpful. I have done these multiple times with very little success. I am preping myself to do a 24 hour volume urine on my 16 month old daughter. It’s not a job I am looking forward to. The test is related to kidney function, as you mentioned it was for you little one. I wondered if you have found out anything more. Always looking for someone to relate to. :)

Rachel June 22, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Hi there. My baby girl of just over a year had one of these bags on today and I will never let it happen again. It took me and my kind neighbour half an hour and quite a bit of olive oil (as lubrication – I had no baby oil) to tease the adhesive strips off. The paediatrician had put it on the most delicate parts of her genitals and while it collected the sample perfectly, it was torturous for her when we had to take it off (I cut the bag with urine off with scissors). Now that the Dr. strongly suspects a UTI I have to get another sample as this method is not totally infallible. I refused point blank to put on another bag.

Sam June 24, 2011 at 2:09 am

Its so much more easier to collect urine samples of baby boys then girls. For girls I suggest using the U taped bags and for boys a test tube. Best time to get the pee is 1 hour after feeding.

Melissa @ Dyno-mom June 27, 2011 at 12:12 pm

I have ten kids and did this for the first time Friday. Sucks rocks, big muddy ones! We did the bag. Geez. The doc is a friend (godfather of one of Lisa’s kiddos) and let me go home with a test-tube and strip. He said if anything showed to call, otherwise to stay home and keep baby comfortable. THAT made all the difference.

Rachel Brewer September 14, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Thank you so much for posting! I really liked the idea of the cotton balls for samples that don’t need to be sterile. My 19 month old has to have a sample taken and we are trying again tonight. Going on day 3 of attempts! We need it for a non-sterile screening of tests. However, I would like to address all of the concerns over the not wanting your child to be cathed issue. I grew up (and finally out of) a condition called urethral reflux. I had to have caths and dye scans monthly until I was 9 or 10, then every 6 months until I was 21. I know that caths are not comfortable, but they are not painful and will not scar you child. Also, sometimes a cath is needed to get a sterile sample. Good luck to all!

Hannah September 20, 2011 at 7:20 am

Thank you for this, I have just found this site too, which I am hoping is just as useful.

http://www.howardregional.org/body.cfm?ID=720

I have to fit one on my daughter later, wish me luck!

Hannah

Savanna September 22, 2011 at 10:05 pm

My son had to get a catheter when he was under one to check for a uti and he was fine so really they arnt that bad plus they wont even remeber it..just saying i knida wish theyd do it now bc i have no idea how im going to get a urine sample we didnt get those fancy bags..

june December 13, 2011 at 1:41 pm

hi we have had a nightmare with our grandson trying to get sample, were do you buy bags from to catch urine.

amy January 24, 2012 at 3:09 pm

I finally ended up using a sandwich bag. i used up all of the sterile bags from the doc trying to get a sample. I wrapped it around my son’s parts, sat him on my lap and waited while he took a bottle and napped. Took about 30 min.

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post:

Shop Software

Shop VMware Software

Shop Adobe Software

Shop Windows Software

Software Store Microsoft Software http://www.prosoftwarestore.com/ Borland Software shop Symantec shop MAC Software Autodesk Software