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Original poster

How to teach bottom wwiping in a 5 year old?

12 replies

IlanaK · 03/12/2006 19:40

The title probably makes it sound like we have left it until my son is 5 to teach him. Its not quite like that. We have been trying to get him to wipe his bottom on his own for a while now, but he rarely does a good job. The problem seems to be that his poos are somewhat soft - a lot of fibre in his diet. If he does a really "formed" one, then there is no problem as it leaves very little to be wiped. But normally, he is unable to wipe well enough.

We have taught him to take 4 continuous squares of loo roll and fold them and then bend down and wipe. He can then get more loo roll if needed and he finishes with a kandoo wipe. He never gets it all though.

What would you do? I am at a loss of how to get him independant in this as it is not a behavioural thing. He is perfectly willing to do it, but just does not do a good enough job.

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Original poster
IlanaK · 03/12/2006 20:19

Anyone?? I really need help on this!

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Eowyn · 03/12/2006 20:21

my dd is 6 & hasn't perfected this, often has a sore bot at night from not wiping well, & we still wipe her with a baby wipe before bed, which I keep thinking she is a bit old for but don't want to leave her sore. so no help I'm afraid.

Twiglett · 03/12/2006 20:26

I teach my kids to do a little wiggle to see if it 'feels clean' ... then you check them and tell them if it is or isn't .. continue with the 'little wiggle' until they understand what the 'feeling' is .. ie the feeling of clean

HTH

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Original poster
IlanaK · 03/12/2006 20:30

A wiggle? Various very funny pictures running through my mind!

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Original poster
IlanaK · 03/12/2006 21:31

Bumping again as this must be something that ALL parents go through!

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PeachesMcLean · 03/12/2006 22:42

Same thing has been bothering us, especially as his backside gets very sore and he seems to stick his hands down his pants a lot, so really unhygienic. We tell him to wipe twice everytime, and I'll mention "the wiggle" but the real problem is that he's just got other things on his mind - bottom wiping is clearly too boring for him.
I take it you can flush the kandoo wipes? We could give those a go as well...

Mistymoo · 03/12/2006 22:45

I was trying to encourage my dd (3) to wipe her own bot and then I realised that she was really struggling to reach!

Mistymoo · 03/12/2006 22:47

I have bought my ds (6) wet toilet paper and that seems to help.

brimfull · 03/12/2006 22:51

there was a thread about this a while ago.
Apparently if they can put their arm over their head ant touch the opposite ear then they should beable to reach their bum
My ds is 4 and can't do it yet so I haven't started teaching him yet to wipe his bottom but luckily he's not at school till september .Must start I suppose.

Twiglett · 04/12/2006 08:21

I don't want to sound horribly smug .. but I don't think there's such a thing as an issue with reach .... I really don't .. it may be down to motor skills though

my 2.6 year old can wipe her own bottom

and DS could do it when he was 3

I think its just something that has to be taught

I await correction from someone who knows better

brimfull · 04/12/2006 08:25

so smug mum...does your dd do a good job,or are your children walking about with shite smeared all over their backsides??

Do you dc's always have gillian mckeith solid well formed poos?

very envious of your bum wiping dc's

Twiglett · 04/12/2006 13:49

my DD LURVES to wipe her own bottom so much that she has buffed it to a good shine

my main problem is getting her out of the loo

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