Wiping toddler? - Parenting Issues Message Board

PAISLEY · 11-15-2002, 01:26 PM

Hi.

My 3yr old refuses to wipe herself when she's had a BM. And in all actuality, I don't want her too! I know it's bad business because she needs to learn on her own but it can get pretty messy...even when I wipe her! I worry about when she is away from me if she wipes her own bottom. I don't think she even has BM's at pre-school because I know her teacher is not going to wipe her and she doesn't have the "skid" marks in her panties. So, I guess I am just wondering if I am really doing her a disservice by wiping for her?

Besides just stop doing it for her and teach her how to do it, how or what can we do to make sure it is GOOD enough so that she won't be smelly and dirty?

Welch · 11-15-2002, 08:47 PM

It is not easy but in time she will decide to wipe herself. Many 5 year olds do not want to wipe the dirty part.

A 3 year old does well to hang onto the pottie much less use the toilet paper. Continue to wipe her and in the process teach her how it should be done.

Many times small children will hold it until they get home.

mushroom1 · 11-18-2002, 12:57 PM

I told all of my children that they could wipe their own bottoms at 5 and most wanted to, yet I had one son who still didn't want to at 6. However, I insisted and he was fine with it in no time.

Greenberry · 11-18-2002, 01:16 PM

In my past life as a teenage babysitter, I wiped dozens of 3 and 4 year old's butts, mainly because they didn't want to do it themselves, and would call me into the bathroom when they were done. I am about to reach that stage with my oldest, and I will probably be doing it for her, because I hate the skid marks that she would probably leave behind.

mlgable · 11-21-2002, 08:01 AM

Why not get some of those flushable wipes and start teaching her now. If she is in preschool already then yes she should be learing to wipe her own bottom. I am assuming she wipes well after urinating so teaching her to properly wipe her bottom shouldn't be too bad. Always remind her that if she is having problems she can call you for help.