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Toddler Hygiene

This photo is licensed under cc by sa 2.0 by Axel Buhrmann

Toddlers and hygiene just don't seem to go together do they? No matter what they do, they always seem to have sticky fingers, food in their tangled hair, and Vegemite smeared all over their clothes!

Mummy I've Got Hygiene on My Mind...Not! Seems like their attitude to dirt, poo, and wee is just not the same as ours.

Hygiene is probably one of the last things on a toddler's mind - as there are just so many things to explore out there.

In this section I will talk about what I believe are the three trickiest aspects of toddler hygiene.

They all relate to basic toddler care, but no doubt you have probably struggled with your toddler in at least one of these areas: nails, teeth, and bath time.

You can teach your toddler good hygiene habits by setting a good example with your own hygiene. You should explain to her when it's important to wash her hands and why it's important. And then you should practice what you preach...

...So don't tell her to wash her hands before and after every meal if you don't do this yourself!

Nails

Always keep your toddler's nails short and clean. It's probably obvious that the shorter your toddler's nails are, the easier it is to keep them clean. Longer nails will catch more dirt (among other nasty little things).

You're probably thinking to yourself that trimming your toddler's nails is easier said than done because she hates her nails being cut! Well, yours isn't the only one.

Most toddlers do not like getting their nails cut and will not sit still long enough to have all ten fingernails trimmed in one sitting!

My youngest daughter, almost 3, is getting much better at accepting the inevitable nail-cutting session. She hardly makes a fuss now, because I no longer give her a choice, really.

I used to say something along the lines of "Can mummy cut your nails, sweetie?" or "Do you want to cut your nails now?" I've learnt that asking her will result in a definite "No!" for an answer, and I'd be sitting there, nail-clipper in one hand, and struggling with the other to get her to 'kindly' remove her chubby little hands from behind her back.

For me, the trick has been to say "Honey, it's time to cut your nails now" in a gentle but firm tone. I also make the whole thing out to be something that's no big deal.

I simply sit in front of her casually, and I cut her nails while she's completely engrossed in Teletubbies (or any other television show that takes her fancy at the time). The key is to do it while she's distracted by something else.

You could also try cutting her nails while she's asleep - but only if she's the sort of babe that doesn't wake easily - otherwise sleeping beauty will only wake up grumpy!

If all else fails, try a nail file or an emery board if your toddler struggles too much.

Now as I'm a compulsive nail-biter (yes, I must admit that there's nothing hygienic about that - and I'm not really setting a good example am I?), I have no regular nail-trimming routine, so I sometimes lose track of how long my girls' nails are.

I used to occasionally send them off to childcare with untrimmed nails and they would come home with dirt, sand and play dough (and who knows what else) stuck in them.

But now the nail-cutting session occurs weekly, so that their nails are always short. I do it on the day before they attend childcare as it's easier to remember this way. Short nails also means they are less likely to contract threadworms.

And for Those Pearly Whites...

I found it very difficult to brush both of my daughters' teeth before the age of two. Although ideally teeth should be cleaned as soon as they appear, it can be a daunting task.

To begin with, you'll probably have to brush her teeth for her. But the sooner she starts to do it on her own, the better. This gives her a chance to build up her fine motor skills.

As she is good at mimicking everything you do, go ahead and brush your teeth together. Encourage your toddler by setting a good example. She needs to see you enjoying this activity before she can enjoy it herself.

Try not to worry too much if you think she hasn't brushed well. With more practice and better brushing skills, there will be fewer areas that she'll miss. This will happen around age four.

Bath Time

Does your toddler refuse to have a bath, or does she make excuses for not having one every single time? Are bath times a struggle for you?

For many toddlers, their dislike of having a bath is carried through from when they were babies. Some babies don't like baths because they're afraid of water.

Here are some tips to make bath time more enjoyable for your toddler: -

If your tot loves baths, well good for you! Your only problem is getting her out!

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