I love this - I’ve always thought the way we (weird) clean our bottoms with toilet paper makes no sense but not a topic for conversation really!!!
I did find with my first child I could tell she wanted to do a poo so it made sense to sit her on the potty rather than dirty a nappy (that I then had to wash as we did cloth) and later learned this is EC. After I would put her down on the nappy mat and then rinse her bum with water with a towel behind her to collect the poo and water. That seemed to work well but it did generate washing.
I cannot figure out the mechanics of washing a baby’s butt. I have been using a watering can and my left hand for years, but can’t figure out an equivalent effective method for my baby. I have used the (kitchen) sink occasionally (our bathroom sink is just too small) when she had a blowout, to get poop off her legs/back etc. but usually she poops in the potty and then I’ve found that if I try and wash her instead of wiping, the next time I change her I find their is still poop there. I can’t get up in there in the same way I can on myself haha.
Totally agree! I use a watering can on myself, and then when we returned from travelling, I got a bidet sprayer, which makes washing children so much easier! When they were small, I could hold them cradled in my arm and holding one thigh, so I could move them around and clean them well. It is hard when they are covered though, which is why I always took them out of the nappy to poo (as you describe!). I found that when they poo in the potty though, you should only need to clean their anus. However, if the potty is too high, then their knees aren't bent enough, so they poo on their buttocks rather than between them. Have you tried holding her in a squat while she poos? Or finding something to raise her feet up when she's on the potty? (like a squat platform or squatty potty)?
I had a bidet sprayer but my current land lord won’t allow it. I don’t mind though I actually might prefer the water can (the pressure is perfect, no fiddling, or accidental firehose blasting). But for baby—I just can’t figure out how to get the water on her anus, that’s the problem. She still uses the tiny top hat potty, so I am holding her in a deep squat. I just find wipes are much easier to reach there with.
Another benefit of a bidet hose for children is that they can wash themselves, encouraging their independence and making the bathroom less of an ordeal compared to wiping them! I am so pleased with my toddler's ability to clean himself in thailand. I'm going to add a hose to our toilet at home for him.
Also: if a baby accidentally poops on your floor, this is in many ways less mess than pooping in a diaper since the floor wipes clean and depending on their position the baby's but may come out very clean as well. (This isn't necessarily true of the couch or carpet of course.) People think this is very gross but... better the floor than my child's thigh, right?
Such a great point about independence! Mine complain when there is no water to wash with. It's easy going from toilet paper to washing because it feels so much nicer, but wiping when you want to wash is not pleasant!
I love this - I’ve always thought the way we (weird) clean our bottoms with toilet paper makes no sense but not a topic for conversation really!!!
I did find with my first child I could tell she wanted to do a poo so it made sense to sit her on the potty rather than dirty a nappy (that I then had to wash as we did cloth) and later learned this is EC. After I would put her down on the nappy mat and then rinse her bum with water with a towel behind her to collect the poo and water. That seemed to work well but it did generate washing.
I cannot figure out the mechanics of washing a baby’s butt. I have been using a watering can and my left hand for years, but can’t figure out an equivalent effective method for my baby. I have used the (kitchen) sink occasionally (our bathroom sink is just too small) when she had a blowout, to get poop off her legs/back etc. but usually she poops in the potty and then I’ve found that if I try and wash her instead of wiping, the next time I change her I find their is still poop there. I can’t get up in there in the same way I can on myself haha.
Totally agree! I use a watering can on myself, and then when we returned from travelling, I got a bidet sprayer, which makes washing children so much easier! When they were small, I could hold them cradled in my arm and holding one thigh, so I could move them around and clean them well. It is hard when they are covered though, which is why I always took them out of the nappy to poo (as you describe!). I found that when they poo in the potty though, you should only need to clean their anus. However, if the potty is too high, then their knees aren't bent enough, so they poo on their buttocks rather than between them. Have you tried holding her in a squat while she poos? Or finding something to raise her feet up when she's on the potty? (like a squat platform or squatty potty)?
I had a bidet sprayer but my current land lord won’t allow it. I don’t mind though I actually might prefer the water can (the pressure is perfect, no fiddling, or accidental firehose blasting). But for baby—I just can’t figure out how to get the water on her anus, that’s the problem. She still uses the tiny top hat potty, so I am holding her in a deep squat. I just find wipes are much easier to reach there with.
Have you tried a peri bottle? You may be able to direct the (gentle) stream better
Will try that. Thanks!
That's fair, she's still very small. It gets easier as they get bigger!
Another benefit of a bidet hose for children is that they can wash themselves, encouraging their independence and making the bathroom less of an ordeal compared to wiping them! I am so pleased with my toddler's ability to clean himself in thailand. I'm going to add a hose to our toilet at home for him.
Also: if a baby accidentally poops on your floor, this is in many ways less mess than pooping in a diaper since the floor wipes clean and depending on their position the baby's but may come out very clean as well. (This isn't necessarily true of the couch or carpet of course.) People think this is very gross but... better the floor than my child's thigh, right?
Such a great point about independence! Mine complain when there is no water to wash with. It's easy going from toilet paper to washing because it feels so much nicer, but wiping when you want to wash is not pleasant!
And yes - also good point about the floor! :)
I rarely ever encounter a read that is sharp, smart, and funny all at once. A royal flush.
Given it's about toilets, you couldn't pick a better metaphor! Thank you very much! :D