Potty Training Hygiene
Teaching proper hygiene after teaching our children to use the restroom is non-negotiable if you want to keep your child healthy, not to mention keeping them in tune with plain old proper potty protocol!
It is simple enough to foster this early independent behavior in your child by linking it directly to the lessons they have been learning during their toilet training.
Here are a few tips on teaching and maintaining excellent potty training hygiene:
Change quickly. Change your child’s underwear or training pants as soon as possible. It is important that your child is changed immediately after having an accident. You never want them to become too comfortable with (or enjoy) being soiled.
Toss unusable underwear. Soiled underwear is only one of two things – salvageable or straight in the garbage. Number one can always be laundered. If it’s number two we’re talking about, then each time is different. If the underwear is moist or mushy, toss it in the trash! If you can save the underwear and there won’t be residue after laundry, toss it in the hamper. Explain the decision to your child.
Encourage your child to wipe the toilet seat. Germs can spray from and settle on the seat every time the toilet is flushed. Teach your child to clean up after themselves by wiping down the seat with toilet paper. Explain to your child that germs are there whether the seat is wet or dry.
Teach your child to properly wipe themselves. Girls should wipe thoroughly from front to back to prevent the migration of germs from rectum to vagina or bladder. Teach your daughter to “pat, pat, pat” instead of wiping hard to help eliminate irritation or a possible rash.
Purchase the proper toiletries. Look for gentle products that will be kind to a child’s extra sensitive skin, but try to find ones that are also strong and absorbent. For example, pre-moistened wipes are ideal for young users as they gently and effectively clean while also providing the strength and absorbency needed to accomplish the task.
Model proper hand washing for your child. Hand washing helps reduce the spread of disease. Model hand washing for your child using antibacterial soap and warm water. Teach your child to count to ten or sing a little song as they’re washing their hands to help them gauge the proper period of time needed to do an effective job.
Be aware. Children are curious. It is entirely possible your child will be curious enough to try and play with their feces. You can easily prevent this without making them upset by simply telling them their number two is not something to be played with before explaining why. This will satisfy their curiosity in a much more sanitary way.
Teach proper etiquette. Potty training is a terrific time to teach your child (especially boys) about restroom respect. Teach your son to lower both the seat and the lid when he are finished, as a non-negotiable part of the ritual.
