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Original poster

Trouble washing DD

5 replies

foxy123 · 13/01/2011 12:44

Hi my DD is 2.3yrs and has recently stopped me being able to clean her 'private area' properly.

Whether it's in the bath, or on the changing mat she clenches her legs so tightly together I am unable to clean her properly.

Does anyone know if this is just a phase and in the mean time could she get an infection if she continues to do this?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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Vanillacandle · 13/01/2011 16:30

Has anything happened to make her fearful of being touched there? Maybe you accidentally caught her with a nail or something?

If not, it could be that she is sore there or has a bit of infection or an abcess or something. Can you get a look maybe when you are getting her dressed and see if there's anything obvious?

It's not a good idea to leave it unwashed as she could get an infection or at the least a nasty nappy rash.

If she won't let you or anyone in the family look, then maybe try the health visitor or practice nurse at the surgery.

Have you asked her if it hurts there? Does she look frightened or do you think she is just doing it for fun?

BlueberryPancake · 13/01/2011 21:35

It could be something very simple - one of my first memories is that of my mum washing my private bits and the soap really stinging. I refused for months for anyone to put soap there. I don't know what to suggest apart from putting a very gentle bubble bath in her bath and soak her a couple of times a day until she gets over it, and get very very gentle wipes.

Original poster
foxy123 · 14/01/2011 12:11

Vanillacandle all I can think of is that maybe she is quite sensitive in that area and doesn't like the sensation? I have managed to have a very quick look and there doesn't seem to be any abcesses. I should be getting her 2 yr appointment soon so I will ask the HV

BlueberryPancake she has a bath every day so her dad & I are hoping some of the water will clean her and maybe when we change her nappy and use the wipes that will do some good

OP posts:
seeker · 14/01/2011 12:18

I would stop trying for a while. Have you tried "swishing" her backwards and forwards in the bat so the water swirls round her? That should help a lot, and she'll enjoy it. Might flood the bathroom a bit, thought!

seeker · 14/01/2011 12:19

Just noticed she'll let you use wipes. I wouldn't worry at all, then.

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