When Do You Teach Kids How to Wipe?

I tried when mine was 3.5, but honestly it was like her arms weren't long enough. Now she is over 4 and I may pick it up again.

I never wiped my kids once they began using the toilet. I talked them through it, at first and watched, but I never, not once, did it for them. We had neighbor kids yell and demand from the bathroom for their Mom to come right now and wipe them, and it just turned me off. Of course my kids weren't perfect at first, but they improved pretty quickly with practice. The first pairs of underwear were a little stained, but very quicky they improved, and the underwear was much cleaner.

I also never bought flushable wipes. I had a friend whose whole basement level flooded because those things backed up the sewer line. Kids have to use real toilet paper away from home anyway, so I just don't get the whole flushable wipes thing. One of my DD's friends at age 4 came for a playdate and she was extremely frustrated we didn't have "wet wipes" I had no idea this was a big deal to her (Mom did not mention), but I was glad my kids were not so inflexible.

We taught ours how as soon as they began using a toilet or potty seat. We often wipe after they do just to be sure. The age that we started and stopped helping with the wiping depended on the kid-- their willingness to do it on their own and their skill. We never bothered with flushable wipes, but sometimes used a baby wipe for the last wipe if #2 was especially sticky. Good luck!

I've been teaching DD right along with potty training since this last time when she really learned to go in the potty. She likes to use flushable wipes and really does try to do it herself, but she can't quite get it right for poop. I double check any efforts she makes and coach her how to do it.

I would show him how to do it and follow up as necessary.

I helped my daughters wipe until they could do a good job on their own. Probably about 4-ish but definitely before kindergarten? We used toilet paper and I've never tried the flushable wipes.

Expect that once they start doing it themselves, you better buy toilet paper in bulk. And keep the plunger handy.

Those flushable wipes, though they say you can flush them, they clog the toilet. We have had the plumber out many times. He told us this is what keeps them in business. Not really, but we have taught the kids to put them in the trash. Just a tip if you decide to go with the wipes. Good luck

T.

I would start teaching him now. The sooner her get's the hang of it the better!!! We used the flushable ones for my youngest as he had issues getting it all.

Right away when they start toilet training. I also have my kids do it first themselves and then I check and make sure everything is clean. I buy the cottenelle flushable wipes or use baby wipes and put them in trash after. Much easier for them to learn.

My daughter will be 4 in a couple of months and she has wiped herself for quite a while now. I usually help when things are particularly messy, but let her handle it most of the time. She uses toilet paper most of the time, but I did buy flushable wipes that she can use as well. At preschool she wipes herself. It usually takes a few years before kids are perfect at wiping, but it is never too early to have them start "trying".

Start teaching him now, but until he is a little older check his bottom after.

We use both toilet paper and wipes. I only get the flushable wipes and it is 50/50 that they are flushed. We have city water/sewage so they end up in the toilet more here in FL then when we lived in PA with a septic. I have never had problems with either system.

Hi Sally,
Have him start trying right away.

Give him the right amount of paper, let him try balling it up, and remember to be specific ("Wipe the *hole* baby;" and "Wipe until the paper is white.")

... I know, if my co-workers could hear me! :)
t

Start teaching him now. It might take him a while to get the hang of wiping himself. You will still have to teach him not to use too much tiolet paper and direction to wipe and hand washing. The hardest part is teaching a kid to use the tiolet.

Now. I would show him, and let him try first, then check him. Use those flushable wipes if you can( they are most helpful). It teaches him to be independent, and responsible. Once they get the hang of it, they will feel so proud of themselves. My son would always tell me to check him out. When he did a good job, he had a big smile on his face.

At the beginning of training, it's a part of the process like pulling his pants up and down, and washing his hands afterwards. He won't be able to do it perfectly at first, but he'll know how to do it and will get better with practice. My guy trained at 27 months and has been wiping to the best of his ability all along, and has improved over time. I check but he usually manages to do a pretty good job. Know that until they're about 4 or so their arms sometimes aren't quite long enough to reach all the way and he'll need you and your husband to check after he's wiped until then.

We don't use flushable wipes because our plumbing is lousy and I didn't want to risk it, plus they don't use them at preschool.