how do I teach him to wipe his own bottom?

My oldest will be 4 in a few weeks and has been potty trained since August although I still wipe his bottom after he has had a bm. I just don't know the mechanics of teaching this. LOL

Do I have him sit on the toilet or stand up? Is there a easy trick or method to this?

You all are going to have forgive me this is the second bum question of the day and I may have another one next week. *Blushing*

By Angellew on Friday, March 7, 2008 - 02:12 pm:

I, personally, think it's easier to have them stand up and bend over, but, I guess it's a personal preference!! LOL!

I keep flushable wipes in the bathroom and that's what I use with my DD. She's almost 6 and does a pretty good job on her own, but I still go in there and do a second swipe before I let her leave. I think having the wipes makes it easier too, because dry TP always seems to get stuck where it shouldn't!

By Reds9298 on Friday, March 7, 2008 - 04:47 pm:

Ditto Angellew. I taught Nat to stand up and bend over and wipe, but I also keep flush wipes int he bathroom. She knows to call for one of us if she has diahrrea so we can double check that she's clean, but otherwise she does it herself.

I was nervous at first, but honestly it took her about twice of not wiping good and she quickly realized what that felt like on her bottom. Like I said, if she has had a really messy BM for some reason, she'll call me to double-wipe for her with the flush wipes.

By Enchens on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 04:43 pm:

Definitely flushable wipes! I started my son on regular TP and I'm so glad we made the switch to the wipes. He does a fairly good job with them, I just come in and do a second wipe as well.

Good luck!

By Kaye on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 08:24 am:

The worst thing that can happen if they don't wipe well is get a rash. They figure it out. With a four year old you have to remember it is only a year until they are in school, no one will wipe for them there

By Chai~latte on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 09:35 am:

Thanks Ladies, two days after posting this he decided on his own that he was going to wipe his own bottom. We've had some hits and misses. I've been using the wet wipes for sometime now as they are much more gentle on his bottom.

He starts school in September so we have some time.