My 4 yr old son has been potty trained since he was just under 3. We have wiping for him after a bm and need him to start doing it on his own. I have tried to show him how and even just let him do it but he does not seem to be able to reach where he needs to. I alway say to lean forward and reach back to where it comes out but it's not working. I bought the flushable wipes hoping it would help. I have been letting him try then I wipe to, so I can if he did a good job but I know he has not wiped the correct spot. Is there a better way then reaching from behind or any advice anyone can give? Thanks in advance for any responces.
I asked my pediatrician this question ... Her repsonse was that kids dont have the ability to wipe effectively until they have the dexterity to be able to write their name. (Or something close to it) They need to be able to have the muscles in their hands and the steadiness to get the job done.
I have my daughter who will be 5 in November and I just started trying to get her to do it....not very easy wiping her while holding my 31 lb. 11 month old, lol. I too am curious to see the feedback you receive on this matter. Good luck!!!
I did not teach my son to do this until he was six, (this summer) I am so picky about making sure he stays clean while wiping and I wanted him to be old enough to be able to be careful about not getting anything on his hands. Even he will wash his hands, I would rather him not have to open the faucet with really dirty hands and getting the faucet dirty for the next person to use it. I remember this being a major problem for me as a little girl. I don't remember how I was taught, but I always got my hands dirty. Also I felt that is was not really necessary for him to learn until he was in school all day. I spent the whole summer supervising him, showing him how much paper to use, how to fold it, what it should feel like on his bottom when he wipes, so he knows he is wiping the right place and how to avoid "speading" the mess to a part of him that he may not normally wipe. I would always check to make sure the wipe comes out clean, and then he is done. He has learned that sometimes he will be clean faster and other times it takes longer, but he is not done untill the wipe is clean. He uses toilet paper first and finishes off with a wipe. If the wipe is dirty he must keep going until it is clean. I don't feel that a four year old is capable of this kind of thoroughness. I did this with both of my boys. It was hard work for me (what part of parenting isn't)but worth it.
A.
Sorry, no response, this is a question I have too. Especially since for last year we put him in preschool and they do not wipe them. I would hate for him to go all day with a dirty bum! He tries and then calls me in to check him. He also does not get the concept of leaning forward and reaching way back. I have tried putting the tissue in his hand and guiding him. Maybe with more consistency this will work, but he goes so infrequently (twice a week) that it may not be enough practice. Good luck. I hope others will respond with something that works for all of us wondering!
Little children are built different than adults and his arms are probably too short. If he cant reach then you will have to keep helping him till he grows a bit more.
Hi T. -
I don't have an answer, but am curious to see what others respond. I can't get my 4 yr old to wipe AT ALL. Ugh! :)
Honestly, four is just too young to be doing it himself. Even if he could reach properly, he wouldn't wipe well. I wouldn't push it with him. You don't want him feeling bad about something he's not capable of doing right now. My boys and my nephew were more like six or seven when we finally, BLESSEDLY, got out of that parental duty. Not what you wanna hear but that's the reality of it. Sorry!
