The Best Ways to Teach Girl Toddlers to Wipe

It̵7;s a big step forward when your little girl recognizes the potty signals, makes it to the bathroom and eliminates successfully, but the wiping part can be tricky for small, inexperienced hands. Turn that messy scenario into a clean bottom by teaching your toddler to wipe properly. Although this skill will not develop overnight, patience and repetition is the key to success.

  1. Potty Model

    • During the early part of potty training, it can be very helpful if you act as a potty model. Allow your little girl to come in when you use the bathroom, have her sit on her potty chair and mimic the motions that you go through. Talk to her about what you are doing, especially the part where you wipe front to back and grab new toilet paper for subsequent wipes. She doesn̵7;t have to actually go potty -- she just needs to see how it̵7;s done. Children learn a lot by watching others. This will familiarize her with the basic process.

    Doll Potty Buddy

    • You can use one of your daughter̵7;s dolls to help demonstrate the potty and wiping process. Cut little squares of toilet paper for the doll. Hold the doll over the potty chair and pretend that she is going potty. Then grab a piece of toilet paper and wipe the doll̵7;s bottom front to back. Drop the toilet paper into the receptacle of the potty chair, dump the contents in the big toilet and flush. The doll should pretend to wash her hands, too. Clap and give the doll a sticker for her good work. Let your child practice with the doll, too.

    Wipe Her

    • During the beginning stages of potty training, you little one may not have long enough arms to reach far enough to wipe or the coordination to wipe properly. You will have to wipe her until she gains the skills and ability to do this by herself. This doesn̵7;t mean that she can̵7;t learn the process and be responsible for other aspects of using the potty. Show her how to grab a few squares of toilet paper, rip it off, wipe front to back and drop it in the toilet. If she needs more wiping, grab new toilet paper and repeat. Have her flush and wash her hands.

    Wiping Walk Through

    • Once she is able to reach around to wipe herself, walk her through the entire process, allowing her to do every step. At first, you may want to cut several flushable baby wipes in half and let her use those instead of toilet paper. These can make wiping more comfortable and successful during this time. Stress the importance of wiping from front to back. Going back to front or back and forth can spread bacteria and potentially cause a urinary tract infection or a bladder infection. After she has gotten the hang of it, you can switch to regular toilet paper. Place the toilet paper in reach so she doesn̵7;t have to get off the toilet to grab it. You can teach her to fold some toilet paper squares or wrap it around her hand a few times and then wipe.

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