To ask how you deal with nappies and potty training etc if you're squeamish?!

[7upluck]

I know I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I promise I'm not being goady!

Pregnant with my first and I'm already worried about how I'll cope with changing nappies, potty training, wiping bums etc. I am honestly the most squeamish person, I can't abide my own bodily fluids let alone someone else's.

It's something that no one talks about because it seems everyone else doesn't mind. I was out for lunch with a friend yesterday and there was a little girl on the table next to us with her mum and dad. She announced very loudly 'Mummy, I need a poo.' (which when I was eating and am suffering from nausea anyway left me feeling a bit

@DrSbaitso

It's actually the easiest part of early parenting. It's not fun exactly but it isn't exhausting or confusing. You do it so often you get used to it very quickly. Your wish for your child to be clean and dry will be far stronger than any feelings of "ew".

And actually, change time is good bonding time. You can sing songs and be silly with your baby beaming up at you.

I'm so glad you said that. My mum laughed at me when I said nappy changing was one of my favourite tasks, but it's for that reason. It can be fun!

I worried about the same thing, but newborn poo (until they start on solids) is fine (especially if you breastfeed). The first few nappies are a bit gross, with the meconium, but if you play your cards right you can get other people to do them (I had a drip for the first couple of days, which made handwashing difficult, so DH was on nappy duty).

Once they start solids, things change, but it's gradual and to be honest I was so tired I barely noticed.

Why are you even having a baby if you know you are squeamish? I can't take this thread seriously. 🤦‍♀️

Yeah it's basically like cleaning up your own poo, I mean when they're born they've literally been a part of your own body for the best part of a year, and for most people it doesn't feel like they're suddenly this third-party stranger the moment they're born... Dealing with someone else's kids' poo is gross (unless you work in childcare and presumably get used to it to some extent) but dealing with your own baby's poo is barely worse than wiping your own bum or cleaning your own skidmark off the loo...

Its a gradual thing.

Breastfed baby poo doesn't really smell and if you're lucky they only go every few days.

Then you wean and its a slow transition to normal poo. Toddler poo is gross and if you'd started at that then it'd probably feel worse but by then it's just a quick change and you're used to doing them.

Obvs there's the newborn meconium but you're in too much of a shocked bubble to really notice that I think

I worried about this, strong gag reflex and can vomit at many odd things. It's honestly different with your own child. Breastfed baby nappies don't smell bad, even the poo. Then they're older where the wee nappies are fine plus a daily poo that's quickly dealt with; flush and into the wash if you're on reusable, bag into the bin outside if disposable. Potty training is busy enough that it's only a little bit of time spent sorting things out with poo around and you'll be long used to wees by then, just flush poo before helping to wipe. You'll be fine, don't worry.

@rocky1914

Why are you even having a baby if you know you are squeamish? I can't take this thread seriously. 🤦‍♀️

Well it’s a bit late now as she’s already PG.

@7upluck how did you manage to get pregnant in the first place if you can’t abide someone else’s body fluids? Are you having PIV sex with a male partner or did you use artificial insemination ?

On a practical note baby poo isn’t like adult shit, it doesn’t stink. If they are breastfeed it’ll be a yellow colour and pretty neutral for a god while. If bottle feed it’s a bit smellier, but not like someone on a full diet. It’s no where near as offensive.
As you wean and add foods it’ll become slowly more like poo, but it’s a slow thing and you’ll be desensitised a lot by then.

Same for vomit, the early months it’s milky. If wiped up straight away there’s not much smell (it goes sour though so use muslins if you burp them on your shoulder and change bibs for fresh ones straight away).

I hope that sets your mind at rest a bit

You just do, as a general rule people being sick makes me feel sick, but when it's your kid you deal with t.

Vividly remember sitting with my 2yo on my knee, with the phone crooked into my shoulder talking to 111 because she wasn't well, they asked if she had vomited, no I said, at that moment she heaved and I just automatically put my hands out to catch the sick, yes I said, yes she has been sick.

You just get used to it and quick.

And then it becomes done sort of weird badge of honour/discussion point with your partner about who cleaned up the worst one.

Yeah I didn't like the thought but it's actually really easy. It's your child and you wouldn't want them sat in it and it just becomes nature.

I think everyone saying it doesn’t stink shows how much parental love takes over. 😂 I’ve changed babies as a sibling or babysitter and it’s utterly revolting but I’ve never seen a parent struggle. You’ll be fine OP.

Also they have such lovely skin, you know it’s important to do a good job for them. To neglect to do so would mean pain and discomfort.

@mummyh2016

It's not like it's someone else, it feels like it's your own your cleaning up.

I was going to post the same thing.

Your baby is an extension of you, as far as how you'll feel about these things when they're small, OP.

If you can cope with your own bodily functions, you'll cope the same with theirs.

The baby won't feel like a random stranger to you (I hope!)

You'll always put your child's needs first, it's just a maternal instinct.

As already pointed out, you can wipe your own bum without "vomming".

I think you're worrying unnecessarily and will cringe when you look back at your comments. It all sounds a bit immature sorry!

You get over it pretty quickly.

And you're pleased if they tell you they need a poo, however loudly, because it means you don't have to clean up pooey pants and trousers. Which is what happens if they don't tell you.

It's something that no one talks about because it seems everyone else doesn't mind.

Sorry OP but this bit made me laugh. Changing nappies, wiping arses and clearing up sick is no one’s idea of a good time. Nobody. You do it because you have to.

Like PP said, I hope birth won’t come as too much of a shock as it can be rather messy.

Chances are you will cope just fine with it all.

@DrSbaitso and @appleturnovers you clearly have very compliant children changing my toddlers nappy is like wrestling an enraged ninja octopus … there has never been any bonding/ beaming in this house!

I have 2 kids. Many nappies changed and never really bothered me. You just get on with it.

I looked after my friend’s toddler for a few hours and had to change a nappy. Urgh so gross.

I can conclude that your own children just doesn’t bother you too much.

I think their toilet habits are the easiest ones to clean up.

Cleaning their sick off the floor however… 🤢

You just get used to it. I'm a nursery nurse so deal with other peoples children's nappies/potties etc daily, made my own children's stuff a breeze!

@tcjotm

I think everyone saying it doesn’t stink shows how much parental love takes over. 😂 I’ve changed babies as a sibling or babysitter and it’s utterly revolting but I’ve never seen a parent struggle. You’ll be fine OP.

Also they have such lovely skin, you know it’s important to do a good job for them. To neglect to do so would mean pain and discomfort.

It stinks once they're on solids because then it's ordinary poo. But you get over it. It's like when your own stinks.

If they're exclusively breastfed, it really does hardly smell.

I used to be so squeamish about poo in particular. One of our friends could get me retching purely by describing his flat mate's horrendous giant poos. 2 kids later, I can't say I've ever had an issue with theirs. It's just something that needs doing.

Oh, and potty training...we never used a potty. Just a children's toilet seat that she could use to sit on the actual toilet. You can get folding ones for when you're out and about.

When accidents happen, they're usually wee (poo is easier to control, assuming no illness). Toilet training was far easier than I expected. They largely just do it when they want to...just encourage the process with sticker charts etc.

You will be fine. Baby poo is pretty inoffensive and actually (even bottle fed) doesn't actually smell that bad.

Has anyone told you about poonami? These are baby poos that explode and cover everything, their backs, their clothes. Stock up on Milton for soaking clothes

You really do just get used to it. Be ready with a wipe to cover a little boys willy when you take their nappy off because they will pee straight up into your face if you don't 🤣