how does one take a urine sample from 7 mth baby?

[AliGrylls]

Please help someone. DS was sick last night with vomiting and fever.

Took him to A&E last night because was worried about him. They told us to take a urine sample from him to rule out UTI. Have been trying desperately to take one from him but he wriggles and squirms away and I fail to catch (I was always slow). My mother suggested putting a plastic bag in his nappy which I also tried but for some reason this didn't work either and the wee ended up in the nappy.

His temperature is back to normal and he seems to be himself this afternoon so I spoke to hospital and told them this. They still want me to take a urine sample. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do it. I am getting really bored with this exercise.

When DD2 was a baby they had a special stick on bag to put in the nappy. Can you ask for one of these?

When DS was in hospital as a baby they used to provide plastic bags with an industrial sticky edge that you encased round the genitals and then just waited so I'd ask for one of those.

Although TBH in your situation I'd probably not bother providing on if he now seems fine.

Yes you should use a urine bag that sticks on so that you can get a sterile specimen.

if you haven't been given anything to do so - bag as mentioned or sanitary pad looking thing - used a big wodge of cotton wool in nappy and then squeeze it with freshly washed/latex gloved hands into sterile container.

By strerile I mean boiled not dettoxed.

Otherwise pop him in the bath and lift him out and hover with a cup - apparently most babies wee as soon as they get in water - it is a physiological reaction.

When we needed to get one from DS when he was tiny, we had to sit with a little urine sample tube (like the ones they give you when you are preganant for the midwife appointments) over his willy until he weed. I realise this is easier with newborn than with a wriggly 7 month old!

Excellent - I like all of those ideas,

I am going to start with the cotton wool one; then the bath and if that doesn't work I will call the hospital and tell them if they don't provide me with better equipment I am not going to bother.

I had the same with my DS. Had problems with the bag, as it kept falling off/being poo'ed on etc etc.

I ended up with the petri dish thing they give you wedged under his willy while he slept on his front with his bum in the air waiting for him to go. He didn't wee for nearly 2 hours and I was sat there staring at his bum til he did!

The hospital/GP should have given you something to collect the sample, it needs to be sterile for the UTI test I thought?

Oh well - it is in a home sterilised pot. I hope that is sufficient. Poor ds is puking really badly again and feels so hot. I gave him calpol 30 mins ago. I feel so miserable. Any suggestions as to how I can make him more comfortable?

i used calpol and baby neurofen in 2 hourly intervals to bring the temperature down.

if it is a uti you will need antibiotics to treat, could you go back or see out of hours doc if not getting better?

sorry, typing with one hand

hope he gets better soon

neurofen/ibruprofen should only be give 3 times in 24 hours, so if alternating with paracetamol (4 times in 24 hours) this needs to be remembered.

Preggers, the rate you are recommending would be six doses of each in a 24 hour period or all the doses in a 12 hour period.

I'm using calpol as often as I can. I didn't realise they did a kiddie neurofen. I will definitely get some.

Dr last night said there was nothing that we could do but sit it out - make sure he gets lots of fluids etc.

i didnt mean carry on til you exceeded the daily dose. just to bring the temp down - i would get to doc if it didnt bring temp down quickly, not carry on dosing. should have expanded but one hnaded typing like i said sorry.

why did they think it could be a uti?

my ds had blood in his nappy, otherwise those symptoms could be loads of things?

sorry took you literally.

Are you doing the dressing in light clothing (although I lways keep socks on a child with a temp and put into jimjams or thinner clothes), regular small sips of fluids (not big gulps that can cause vomiting) and I cannot remember the current thinking on sponging with tepid water - I always do it but mine are much older so cannot remember the spec for a baby.

Good luck with making your lo more comfy, if vomiting up meds you could ask the pharmacist for some paracetamol suppositories they are vv expensive, but if meds are all being vomited up could be the only way to go. Can get them on scrip but in an emergency worth spending the £15+ for 10 ( if you are in uk cheaper in europe)