Question

I have 3-year-old twin girls who love to take a bath in my Jacuzzi bathtub. Is it okay for me to put the jets on for them? I usually do it for less than one minute just to get some bubbles in the tub for them.

Answer

Bubbles in the tub have always been a great way to get children to enjoy their baths. However, for little girls, that can be a problem. Any substance that makes bubbles, even if it's an "organic" or "natural" product, can enter the vagina, urethra, and bladder and break down the protective mucus that lines the lower urinary tract. This can cause symptoms similar to a bladder infection, including pain and difficulty urinating. Making bubbles with the Jacuzzi jets, on the other hand, can create bubbles without the risks posed by conventional bubble bath products.

There is a way, though, that the jets can disrupt this delicate area. If your girls sit with their bottoms aimed at the jets so that the bubbles hit their vaginal area, the jet action can cause enough irritation to bring on the pain or difficulty urinating. As long as you make sure that your daughters aren't doing this, a few minutes of bubbles aren't likely to cause problems.