UTI in 3.5 year old - fear of getting off of the toilet

[lucywho123]

My poor DD was diagnosed with a UTI yday after a wkend of accidents and not getting off of the toilet the rest of the time. She's 3.5 but been potty trained for nearly a year. For over 24 hours now she won't get off the toilet as she says she needs a wee. Its like its a constant desperation. She's been prescribed antibiotics and ive kept her off of nursery today as she's distressed. Has anyone experienced this? I'm worried we're back to square one as its been so awful I've had to put a nappy back on her just to get her out of the toilet. Its like a safety blanket for her right now. Feeling very stressed at her distress, I cant ignore it as she cant wear nappies at nursery obvs so I need to try and navigate her fear. Will the sensation of needing to go to the toilet go once the AB 's kick in?

Poor girl. I feel like that when I have one tbh. Hope she feels better soon. And yes once the AB’s kick in she will feel much better.

How horrid for both of you.

When mine are poorly we make a camp bed up in the bathroom and bring in the iPad and a softer light.

She might have that constant feeling of needing to wee that comes with utis - it's hard to ignore as an adult so probably very confusing for a 3 year old.

You're not back to square one. Just stay appearing super calm and relaxed with her and explain it's just part of the poorliness- like a sneeze for your bladder.

Don't anticipate problems, consistently reassure her it's temporary and make it a bathroom adventure.

Thanks so much for your replies already. Ive never had a water infection so I wasnt sure if the feeling of constantly needing to go was normal and would subside, I feel so bad for her. She's been so great with the toilet training but this feels like hell, she's so paranoid she will wet herself if she's either not on the toilet or not got a nappy on. Im trying not to make a big deal of it, in the hope it sorts itself out but im also worried itll become a psychological thing of having that sensation and immediately panicking

That is so tough, your poor DD.

D-mannose is very good for UTIs, especially when used alongside the antibiotics. It's a kind of glucose that your body can't digest, but it bonds with the infectious bacteria and helps to flush them out. You can get it as a powder to mix into drinks for kids. I found it helped with my DD when she had a UTI aged about seven.

https://www.sweetcures.co.uk/collections/supplements-for-children

(I don't work for this company or anything like that! You can probably get similar elsewhere)

Poor thing. The antibiotics should kick in quite quickly- if she's not better by the end of today I'd ring the GP back because she might need a different type.
I would just put a nappy on her if she's ok with that and tell her it's just because she's sick and when she's better she won't need the nappy anymore.
Or if you still have a potty have that nearby so she knows she can get to it quickly?

Thanks so much, ill look into those @zaxxon - I have a feeling as this has coincided with starting pre-school, that its come about as she's holding it for too long or not drinking enough. Maybe a combination. Its all new to her so really hoping if i drop them a message they make sure both happens from now on

Good advice @user2848502016 - she never actually used a potty but the nappy is doing the trick for now. I just dont want it to be a thing that she then thinks she needs going forward? So hard to navigate. She gets so distressed any time she's not on the toilet otherwise :(