What did you tell your toddler about post-partum bleeding?

[morningpaper]

I'm not sure what to say to me dd (3) about me bleeding after I'd had the baby (41 weeks now).

She will notice because we are often in the bathroom together and she will want to know why I'm not having baths with her and going swimming!

I don't think she noticed me having periods. I don't want to worry her. How have you dealt with this?

Nothing at all tbh. dd was a very bright 3 year old and she never asked, so I didn't bother to tell het anything. she was more interested in ds

My ds decided aged 3 that mummy needs "mummy plasters" occasionally - it works for him - he just accepts it

I have absolutely no privacy at home and ds1 (4) is quite aware that I have periods and use tampons. I just tell him that mummy's bleed sometimes but that there's nothing wrong, I'm not poorly.

(I also took him to hospital recently when I've had blood taken. Never occured to me that I should encourage him not to watch the needle go in, as nurse at second visit prompted. He's very matter of fact about these things at the moment - I'm just waiting for that empathy vibe to kick in...)

ooh, sorry about that 'mummy's'. did of course mean 'mummies'

I would only answer the questions she asks - she might be curious, but then again she may not ask anything at all. If she does ask, I would suggest being very matter-of-fact and saying that all ladies bleed a bit after they have a baby to make sure that there's nothing left in the place where the baby grew, but you haven't cut yourself, it doesn't hurt, and it will go away soon and then you'll be able to go swimming with her again.

Thanks for all these answers - I will definitely wait until/if she asks. WWB I like your explanation, thanks!

Dd never asked about the blood but she did want to know if she could have a "sticker" in her knickers too! She was quite keen to tell people that mummy puts stickers in her knickers but fortunately she only told Grandma...

lol!

nothing. ds certainly didn't notice at all. I don't go swimming anyway, due to looking like whale in a swimsuit.

ds, 2.5yo, barged in on me in the loo after dd was born. He saw the pad in my knickers and asked "what's that, mummy". I didn't answer at first (scowling at dh p**ing himself laughing in the adjourning bathroom). But ds asked a few times. So I braced myself and said, "that is called a pad".

Ds looked thoughtful and said, "Oh, a pad". Nodded his head and walked off. He did not ask anything else and has not mentioned it again.

Ds saw me put on a normal pad for a period and said "hurray mummy wears nappies, I don't have to use the toilet!"

I have sort of copped out and told DS that it is just something that happens to ladies. Mainly this has been in an effort to stop him touching the disposal units in public toilets. I can't really remember how much of my post-partum bleeding he obvserved but must have been some. But he was already aware of my periods. He's not a big one for privacy in the bathroom.

I said something about when the baby was inside there was a spongy wall to keep him warm, soft and comfortable in mummy's tummy.
Now the spongey wall is coming back out bit by bit and this is it.