What age should child wipe own butt?

[Anonymous]

My just-over three year old is potty trained, except I wipe his butt when he poops. A few days ago he said he wanted to wipe his own butt and I said no, and he said his teacher sometimes has him wipe his butt at school.

I was horrified, because it doesn't seem like he is old enough to do it properly, but am I off base?

How can you tell child is ready to start doing this? Is there a particular age when this is recommended?

[Anonymous]

He’s old enough. He needs to practice. Just soak out any tread marks in a bucket before washing.

[Anonymous]

My kids were really old when they finally did it well. I mean like 7. I thought it would never happen but no permanent damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids were really old when they finally did it well. I mean like 7. I thought it would never happen but no permanent damage.

Yes. My kids knew how to wipe their butts but could not do it well until 7. They also poop regularly first thing in the morning and then take a shower. So we have never his issue of having tread marks etc. They also shower and change clothes every day and change underwear twice a day, These things can be taught to them when they are little.

[Anonymous]

Mine has being doing it herself since 4.5. She has a summer bday and I wanted her to be self sufficient before going to all day K

[Anonymous]

You’re horrified he wipes his own but at school. Really?!

Part of potty training is learning how to do this. Of course he’s old enough to do it. He’s also at an age where you should check to make sure he’s clean, but letting him wipe himself is normal. Land the helicopter. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

My 3 year olds arms do not reach back that far. I'm waiting for a growth spurt

[Anonymous]

3.5 wipes himself at school, with minimal to occasional success.

I still wipe him at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3 year olds arms do not reach back that far. I'm waiting for a growth spurt

Tell them to stand up and bend knees so he/she can reach butt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My just-over three year old is potty trained, except I wipe his butt when he poops. A few days ago he said he wanted to wipe his own butt and I said no, and he said his teacher sometimes has him wipe his butt at school.

I was horrified, because it doesn't seem like he is old enough to do it properly, but am I off base?

How can you tell child is ready to start doing this? Is there a particular age when this is recommended?

He’s old enough to do a good enough job. His arms need to be longer and balance needs to better to do it perfectly but it’s time he started trying.

[Anonymous]

DS is just three and always wipes first then I come in and do it again. He’s only in morning preschool so he’s never pooped at school but I am sure no one would help him. A prerequisite to his school is completely bathroom independent.

[Anonymous]

They should start the first time they sit on the potty. Some kids will take longer to master it but they should be trying every time from day 1. Very few kids who are 3 will still need help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids were really old when they finally did it well. I mean like 7. I thought it would never happen but no permanent damage.

Same

[Anonymous]

My oldest was like 7 until he could really do it efficiently. My middle kids would always yell for me to “please help wipe my butt!” From the bathroom until like 5 years old. They never pooped at school but they weren’t in full day school until K so they never really had problems with it at school.

[Anonymous]

It’s part of potty training. Kid does first wipe. You can do follow up until he cleans thoroughly enough.