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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

When should a child be able to wipe their bottoms?

15 replies

usernametaken · 13/09/2012 21:33

Nursery collared me today,
"You do realise DS can't wipe his own bottom yet"
Yep, I know that. I'm not worried as he's not 3 until next month. OK, he has been potty trained since 22 months, but wiping...he can't even reach properly!
So at what age should they be independently pooing and wiping?

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tanfastic · 13/09/2012 21:34

I'd say 3 earliest 4 max.

Shakey1500 · 13/09/2012 21:34

3????!! Ds is 5 and still can't do it to any great effect. Hmmm shall watch with interest but I'm pretty sure 3 is a bit young?

TheMonster · 13/09/2012 21:35

Ds started doing it properly himself at five. He would try at four though.

Original poster

usernametaken · 13/09/2012 21:36

That's what I thought...and half DS's friends are still in nappies so not even pooing on their own, let alone swiping the baby wipes and going for it!

OP posts:

vodkaanddietirnbru · 13/09/2012 21:36

ds is getting much better at it now he is 5. He still gets me to double check most of the time.

LackingNameChangeInspiration · 13/09/2012 21:37

by primary school hopefully! your nursery just sound lazy they shouldn't complain about helping a nearly 3YO to wipe and lots of nearly 3YOs are still having their nappies changed anyway!!

tanfastic · 13/09/2012 21:37

Well they are expected to be able to do it when they start school at 4 so I started teaching my ds from about 3. He's 4 now and I still do it occasionally if he's being really lazy.

out2lunch · 13/09/2012 21:37

no way is this a stealth boast but i never had to do dds

catkind · 13/09/2012 21:40

Perhaps when you told them he was PT they thought you meant completely independently toileting?

coldcupoftea · 13/09/2012 21:40

After a wee- age around 3.5. After a poo- I started encouraging DD to do it herself this summer, to prepare her for starting reception. At home I still check she's done it right though!

catkind · 13/09/2012 21:41

PS my son is 3+ 4 months and will have a go, often needs to be reminded or helped to finish off. Nursery were fine about it.

MousyMouse · 13/09/2012 21:41

not even 3!?!?!
my 5yo can't propely. understands the principal (wipe until paper is clean) but in practice that means many skidmarky pants.

skyebluesapphire · 13/09/2012 22:09

My DD is 4.5 and cannot wipe her bum clean yet. I have explained the wipe until paper clean thing too, lol. So I still have to help her usually.

It's fine when we are at home, but embarrassing when out in a local eating place and she walked out the toilet naked from the waist down right through the restaurant so that I could wipe her bottom...........

purplehouse · 13/09/2012 22:12

Both mine come home from school with skiddy pants - both are rubbish at bum wiping. They are 4 and 6 !!

Think your nursery is expecting rather a lot!

DownyEmerald · 13/09/2012 22:56

I thought their arms weren't long enough till 4ish anyway?

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