Dirty diapers...how do you deal?

[mom-in-alberta]

Hmmm.... so much to talk about on this icky thread. LoL
First; other kids poops= bleccchhhh. (I am not sure how to spell that noise, but you get the gist)!! And some kids totally smell worse than others. I had one little guy whose mom insisted he needed extra iron. His poops were soooooo stinky. The only good thing was that they were also rock hard like little pebbles, so didn't need 478 wipes to clean up!!
When I was pregnant, and therefore gagging at just the IDEA of some odors; I would take a tissue and stuff it up my nose. If it was going to be really bad (you can tell, right?!?) I would also put a dab of Vicks Vaporub into my nose. Hey, it works for coroners and medical examiners, right?

On the idea of a 4 year old not pooping: I also think that if medical issues have been ruled out, and all the kinder, gentler methods have not worked (ie; stickers and rewards, etc) then it's time to crack down. If it is known that the child CAN use the potty, and it's not a terror issue (some kids get phobias), then it has definitely become a control issue. Honestly, I don't think I would do a diaper (or poopy pull up) for a kid that age. Flat out gross. I don't see any schools letting a child that age wear diapers, either. My cut off is more like 3, which I know can be a little early for some, but I personally think that 3 is PLENTY old enough to use the toilet.

As for not wiping the bum; if mom and dad haven't taught that, then I damn sure would be!! I get it if they are little (like, 2!) and just started the potty thing. I remember my oldest sitting in the bathroom yelling "Mooooommmmm! I need a wipey bum". (Awww, that seems like so long ago now, *sniff*). But it becomes a necessity, no??? A collleague of my husbands brought his kid to the office one time, and he went to the washroom and shortly afterward started yelling for his dad. Turns out, he needed dad to come in and wipe his bum. He was 6!!!!!! I was beyond disgusted.

[Cadillac]

My nephew had to be bribed with hot wheels to even pee on the potty. . . . . The entire collection and $400 dollars later, he was trained.

I'm hoping to avoid all these issues by sitting my kids on the toilet for fun starting at around 18 month. we make poo faces and push and make funny farting noises and wipe even when we haven't peed or pooped. . . . . it's pretty entertaining for all.

[daycaremom9]

I definitely use a glove for changing poopy diapers but I've been wondering if it's safe to go barehanded for a pee diaper. Any ideas?

[KingstonMom]

I dont get grossed out by my own kids, or daycare kids poops AT ALL! I think the secret is just not breathing thru your nose and not smelling the nasty smells! I couldnt care in the least bit!
I dont wear gloves or anything, just I always wash my hands with soap and water after and I use hand sanitizer often as well.

I have only 2 dcks potty trained, one 3 1/2 and one 20 months (girls). Both became potty trained at the same time, 2 months ago. I wipe bums for their poops, although I should make the 3yo attempt it herself, but its just I am usually always rushing to get the pee, poops and hand washing done with so I can attend to the other kids.

I also have a 4yo dck and I could not IMAGINE wiping her bum or her go pee/poop in a diaper or otherwise!! That is too old for sure!!! Gross!!

I do agree with the others who have said that this is more of a choice and not a lack of control issue with pooping on the potty...the time out sounds like it worked wonderfully!

i have yet to encounter these issues with my own two kids! (21 months and 3 months)

[suemaria]

there are probably many reasons for this to be still happening... one would be medical... also in my experiences boys tend to take longer in training... i tend not to agree with pull ups as they tend to prevent the child from being uncomfortable with the sensation of bowel movements etc. again, its a process that takes effort by parents and care providers... working together to ensure same things are followed through... also at this age, talking to the child about simply... how its easier for them in toilet, cleaner, faster... etc... make sense of it for them. i have 2.5 year old in my care trained through night and everything as a result of open communications with parents and working with the child... children also refuse to go based on fears, or that constipation previously hurt them... they get caught up in activity and dont want to stop what they are doing as well... be consistent and firm. use others bathrooming as a tool... everyone is doing this, you have no choice but to try... keep it simple but be firm. i did an interview two days ago, the mom's 4 year old had no bathrooming skills... that unfortunately is part previous care provider, part parenting... good luck... oh and for the smelliness... yes somedays you want to throw up! i had children who were vegetarian due to allergies etc that omg... good luck!!!

[playfelt]

I don't use gloves when changing bums pee or poop and never have - 25 years of daycare and 4 of my own. I just wash with soap and water between - don't even use the purell like some do because I don't like it and not totally sure I believe in it. I do have a box of gloves and will use them if I have to put a special cream on a child with a rash/yeast infection but for routinely using creams no just do it - or I will use a piece of toilet paper to actually swipe it on which spreads it around really well and keeps the cream off my hands which can be hard to wash off which is the idea behind it.

Funny that poop never bothers me but anything beyond a baby spitting up and I have a hard time with that one.