Sometimes a health professional may give you a container to collect a sample of urine (wee) from your child.
When you collect the sample, make sure it stays clean. If it’s not, it can affect the test results.
Before collection
To collect a sample, you’ll need a container of clean water, a pair of unused plastic tweezers and gauze, cotton balls or baby wipes.
Make sure you wash your hands well. You could also wear gloves if you like.
If you’re in a public setting protect your child’s privacy before removing their nappy or underpants. You may also wish to sit or lay your child on a towel.
Preparing for collection
Use the tweezers to pick up the gauze, cotton ball or baby wipe and soak it in the water.
Gently wash your child’s genital area. For girls, wipe their vagina several times from front to back. For boys, wipe the head of their penis. Use a new gauze, cotton ball or baby wipe for each wipe.
If your child is toilet trained, wipe them down first with a wet wipe.
Don't let your skin or your child's hands touch the cleaned area.
Loosen the yellow lid of the collection container but don’t remove it.
During collection
Watch and wait until your child starts to wee. Once they start, remove the lid from the collection container and place it under the stream. To help your child wee, gently rub their tummy for a few minutes using a clean piece of gauze soaked in cold water.
If your child is toilet trained, you can collect the sample over the toilet. Ask girls to sit down facing the toilet, it will be easier for you to collect the sample.
Make sure you don’t touch the inside of the container and don’t let the container touch your child’s skin.
When you have at least a teaspoon of wee in the container put the lid back on firmly.
If they aren’t ready to wee, give them a bottle or breastfeed while you’re waiting.
After collection
Dry your child’s genital area and replace their nappy or underpants.
If you’re in a medical setting, give the sample to the nurse.
If you’ve collected the sample at home, put it in the fridge and take it to the laboratory within 24 hours.
Last updated: October 2023