Feel like world's worst mum (baby poo related)

[Knitsewthread]

This morning my 11mo was quite happily playing with his toys whilst I sat a few feet away and watched him whilst also dealing with older son's tantrum.

I barely took my eyes off him but I must have done as DH walked in and said 'what's he got' in a panicked voice.

DS was covered in poo - it was all over the carpet and his toys. It was on his hands which he was putting in his mouth (not envy)

I've no idea how that much mess happened in a few seconds but I feel so so awful that I allowed that to happen to him and I keep crying.

I'm also emetophobic so am panicking that he and everyone else will get sick. I feel like nothing will ever be clean again.

He seems ok but I feel like a horrible, neglectful mum

Ah children. So disgusting. I thankfully can't tell this tale (yet...), but I know a fair few parents who can. I don't think any of the DC were ill after.

Not your fault at all, these things happen. You can't watch them every second, especially not when you have more than one.

He is not the 1st and won't be the last. One of my dds when little smeared it all over her cot and the walls.

Thank you, I just feel so guilty and wish I could turn the clock back

It's one of the parenting badges! I took dc1, now 11, for a nap one day when she'd have been around 2. Went up to get her an hour later to find her curled up down one end of the bed sound asleep & a 'perfect' comedy esque turd on the pillow at the other. Dc2 did the smearing it over the walls & himself thing at around 14 month. Dc4 did one in his first proper bath after we'd been without hot water for weeks. And last, but not least, Dc5 did a poo on the lawn last summer because he wanted to be like the dog. Also you're really unlikely to get ill so try not to let that thought bother you.

Thanks @BernardsarenotalwaysSaints - that's reassuring.

This never happened with DS1, he used to poo during bathtime a lot though which DS2 has never done. Guess it's just our time!

You are not a horrible mum, or a neglectful one. Children have an absolute gift for poo. How do they manage to get it everywhere so quickly?

You are not the first, and won’t be the last, parent dealing with a poonami. It happens to absolutely everybody. Please don’t feel bad for another second

Don't feel bad! These things happen with little ones. You can't get through baby/toddlerhood without them eating their own poo at least once!
I'm sure very little was ingested (can't imagine they found the taste very pleasant!).
Once you've done a thorough clean up you can put it out of your mind hopefully 😊

This happened to me yesterday.
DS 22 months was playing at his kitchen so I thought I'd make a cup of tea.

His nappy had slid to the side a little and he had a runny poo which is teething related I think and it was all over the carpet and all down his legs and hand.

Popped him in the shower then went to to clean up the mess. Don't feel bad. It happens!

I once turned out the lights after bath time to let my then 15 month old DD have a bit of nappy free time and play with some light up toys.
I was actually feeling a bit smug about what a nice sensory experience she was having.
Right up until the moment when DH asked 'what is she eating?' at exactly the same time as I said,
'oh my god, I can smell shit.'

Give yourself a break.

Thank you all for being so kind. You've helped me to relax a bit! He still seems fine and I'm not sure I can scrub my carpet anymore (so regretting getting rid of wooden floors now!)

@WithRosesAroundTheDoor that made me laugh - I'm sure I'll look back and laugh about today soon too. I was also feeling a bit smug and thinking how good he was getting at a bit of independent play/how on top of things I felt this morning until DH walked in to the horror scene!

Thank you all for being so kind. You've helped me to relax a bit! He still seems fine and I'm not sure I can scrub my carpet anymore (so regretting getting rid of wooden floors now!)

@WithRosesAroundTheDoor that made me laugh - I was also feeling a bit smug and thinking how good he was getting at a bit of independent play/how on top of things I felt this morning until DH walked in to the horror scene!