When To Potty Train

Potty Training Help and Tips – Better Hygiene

February 11th, 2010

Tips for teaching excellent hygiene during Potty Training. Toilet training is an excellent opportunity to add an additional lesson; an opportune time to teach your child the ins and outs of excellent hygiene. You are already on the road to bathroom independence. Follow these few tips to help the understand the importance of regular hygiene.

Don’t wait to change soiled pants or underwear. Change your child’s underwear or training pants immediately. Never allow your child the opportunity to feel comfortable with being dirty. This will only make it difficult later.
Wash it if you can, toss it if you can’t. Filthy underwear falls in only two categories – salvage or garbage. If the underwear is simply soaked in urine, you can wash it to rinse the yuck right out. Number two, not so much. More than likely, the number two will be soft and mushy. In this case, you’ll want to toss them straight into the trash.
Have your child wipe the seat themselves. Germs can regularly settle on the seat after having splashed during flushing. Have your child wipe the seat with paper and then flush the residue. A habit learned early can follow for life.
Model proper wiping. Girls must learn to wipe from front to back (thoroughly) to prevent germs moving from back to front. You can instruct your little girl to pat instead of wiping hard so she can reduce to instances of irritation.
Purchase the proper toiletries. Buy products that are gentle. Children have extra sensitive. Pre-moistened wipees are ideal for young users, as they are both gentle and effective, while providing enough strength and absorbency to do a good job.
Teach your child how to wash their hands. Hand washing reduces the spread of germs. Model for your child by doing it yourself. Use antibacterial soap with warm water and thoroughly scrub your palms for maybe seconds. Count to ten or recite a rhyme while washing. This can help your child gauge the needed time. Hand washing should be routine.
Use a bleach/water solution to clean the potty. Regularly clean the toilet, ideally after each use. Avoid cleaning carpets by placing the potty on an easy to clean floor. You can also invest in an easy to wipe mat.
Children are curious. Your child might want to play with his number two. Try to prevent the behavior without making them feel bad by simply saying, “No. This is not something to be played with.”
Teach etiquette. Potty training is an excellent time to teach your child (especially boys) to lower the seat and lid when finished. This is a perfect place for dad to model.