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Wiping front to back; please explain...

10 replies

LaTristesse · 12/02/2012 21:24

I can't believe I've got to 36 without really understanding this, but please can someone explain the whole wiping front to back thing. (Expecting a DD and want to make sure I teach her properly).
Basically for a wee I've always gone in from the front and wiped upwards, which is essentially back to front. Is that wrong? Should I be wiping downwards (front to back) or does this 'rule' only apply to poo?

And big apologies for posting something so inane and trivial when some people are dealing with proper stuff on here...

OP posts:

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oldqueenie · 12/02/2012 21:26

idea is to do opposite to what you are doing atm... you don't want to wipe any poo / germs etc from your bum into vaginal area... ok?

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SuePurblybilt · 12/02/2012 21:28

What oldqueenie said. But I don't geddit either as it's not as if you let the paper get as far as the bum, is it? So if you were wiping back to front, you don't start at your bum, you start at your fanjo opening, up past wee opening and done. Surely?

For wees, obviously. I can see why you don't do one fluid movement when you're had a poo.

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Lougle · 12/02/2012 23:37

You can't see exactly where your toilet paper is. The bulk of the toilet paper might be clear of the anus, but the edges might get in contact. Then, when you wipe forwards, you will drag the bacteria from the anus to the vagina.

The vaginal area is much more easily infected, especially if the bacteria gets into the urinary system. This can lead to Urinary Tract Infection.

Bacteria from the urinary tract/vaginal area will do no harm to the anal area.

So, in summary...front to back - no problems. Back to front - UTIs.

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shitmagnet · 13/02/2012 01:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Seona1973 · 13/02/2012 08:13

I wipe forwards for a pee and wipe backwards for a poo. I think my sister wipes back for both. I dont get uti's or thrush

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FoofFighter · 13/02/2012 08:16

I'm a dabber too :) although previously an upwards wiper for peeing, just cant' reach properly now so I dab

I always assumed the front to back thing was more for poos anyway, although I can't see how one could comfortably do it the other way round anyway

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kilmuir · 13/02/2012 08:17

bum hole germs are best kept where they are, so short dab/wipe at front for a wee.

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Mumof1plustwins · 13/02/2012 08:20

I'm still trying to teach my 6yo DD how to wipe properly! She just calls me if she's done a poo...
I tell her front to back but she gets mixed up
Maybe 'dab for a wee' is better...?

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GlueSticksEverywhere · 13/02/2012 08:28

I do the same thing. Even when I've done a poo I wipe forwards to remove the wee and do the back backwards to do the poo. It's because I reach behind for the poo. Didn't realise anyone actually removed the poo by wiping all the way from the front to the back with their arm between their legs! That's uncomfortable!

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LaTristesse · 13/02/2012 15:22

Well I'm really glad it's not just me! Thanks for the replies people. I have to despite apparently doing it 'wrong' I've never had a UTI. The last few days I've tried wiping front to back, (pushing downwards when going in from the front), but it feels really weird and I think it's making my fanjo sore! I might give dabbing a go, reaching is becoming a bit of an issue here too Foof!