Peeing, pooing and toileting

Useful information and advice about peeing, pooing and toileting for all ages

• Peeing

  Your child’s body produces pee as a way of getting rid of waste. After eating and drinking the body absorbs the fluid which enters the bloodstream. The blood is pumped through the kidneys which produces pee by filtering out the waste. Pee collects in your child’s bladder and then drains when it is full. Most children pee between 5 and 7 times each day.

• How much water your child should drink

  All living things must have water to survive. Without water, your body would stop working properly. Water makes up more than half of your body weight, and a person can't survive for more than a few days without it. You need water to digest your food and get rid of waste. Water is also needed for pee and poo. 

  All children should have 6 to 8 cups of water or water-based fluid each day. The size of the cup depends on your child's age and size. 

  A sensible size cup for your child should be: 

  • 2 year old - 120 to 150ml
  • 5 year old - 175ml
  • 7 year old - 200ml
  • 11 year old - 250ml

  This table suggests how much water-based fluid your child should be drinking each day.*

  Age	Total water-based fluids per day
  1 to 3 years	900 to 1000 ml
  4 to 8 years	1000 to 1400 ml
  9 to 13 years (female)	1200 to 2100 ml
  9 to 13 years (male)	1400 to 2300 ml
  14 to 18 years (female)	1400 to 2500 ml
  14 to 18 years (male)	2100 to 3200 ml

  For babies less than 1 years old, responsively breastfeed or formula feed following your baby's feeding cues.

  In hot weather you may find your child needs more water. Babies under 6 months old should never be given water straight from the tap. Formula fed babies under 6 months old may need small sips of cooled boiled water on top of their usual milk feeds. Breastfed babies do not need any water until they start eating solid foods. During hot weather, they may need additional breastfeeds. 

  Children who are either physically active or overweight, may also need more water.

  To encourage your child to drink more water, try adding ice cubes, slices of fruit or a funky straw to make it more exciting.

  *This table is taken from Eric. 

• How to tell if your child is drinking enough

  Your child’s pee can change colour based on how much they drink. The darker the colour of the pee, the more dehydrated they may be. Being dehydrated may also make your child’s pee smellier than normal.

  If your child’s pee is smelly and they are experiencing pain when peeing, this may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Speak to your GP if you think your child has a UTI. 

  Check your child's pee colour and view the hydration chart below to help you decide if your child is drinking enough. 

  

• Pooing

  After your child has eaten, their body picks out all the nutrients it needs. This leaves leftover waste which forms poo in their bowels. Poo, also known as stools or faeces, moves along the length of the bowel until it is ready to leave the body.

  Babies and children have different patterns of pooing. Your child might poo once a day, twice a day or every other day. If your child poos more or less than this, speak to your GP for advice. Your baby's poo will change during the first few days and weeks. Read more about understanding your baby's poo. 

• What your child's poo should look like

  It is helpful to know what a normal poo should look like. This can help you spot if your child has a problem.

  

• How to keep your child's bowels healthy

  To keep your child’s bowels healthy you can ensure they:

  • drink enough water (between 6 and 8 glasses a day)
  • have a balanced diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and high-fibre foods
  • take part in daily physical activity
  • sit with their feet flat on the floor and use a footstool or step to ensure their knees are above hips when sitting on the toilet

• Toileting

  As your child grows they will begin to develop control over when they pee and poo. This is sometimes called ‘toileting’. Read more about toileting.

  Some children have difficulties around pee and poo. This may include:

  • having lots of accidents such as wetting themselves or soiling
  • peeing in their sleep, which is also known as nocturnal enuresis
  • being constipated (not having a poo often enough) or having diarrhoea (runny poo)

  If your child is experiencing any of the above difficulties, you can contact us.