Can anyone recommend a soap that's easy for toddlers to use for themselves? I have gotten those washclothes that have soap in them but my kids have the tendency to just sqeeze it all out into the water so I don't think they're getting themselves clean enough. I do fill the tub with body wash/bath soap but I think scrubbing is needed especially with the weather getting nicer. My daughter (5YO) has gotten ahold of regular soap (usually Dove or Lever) in the shower and washed her privates which resulted in her comlaining about "hot pee" for the next few times she went to the bathroom.
Aside from suggestions on a product how can I teach her to clean herself better? I don't know that she's cleaning her privates well and she never lets me do it. She had vaginal adhesion for more than a year while she was about 3 so I worry that if she isn't cleaning well enough it will come back.
I guess I should have clarified based on my first response...I do NOT leave my children alone in the tub by themselves. However, I think they need to leane how to wash themselves otherwise how do they learn? Just like they learn how to get dressed, put on their shoes and use a fork. My 3 year old will be 4 next month and both should be able to be learning how to do this themselves.
Johnson and Johnson makes a baby soap that is tear free sensative and it comes in a bar. The box is pink and white. If you are looking for a preschooler soap. Johnson and Johnson also makes a preschhol bar that has almost like a wash cloth around it. I think it is called easy grip soap. It comes in fun fruity scents or a sensative version. My kids use both and it gives them the independence but I also know they are getting clean.
I used to make up rhymes about different body parts when they were in the tub. "First we find the feet and wash all five toes....now don't forget the nose" The kids liked adding versus as we went along and we laughed a lot too.
It might work, good luck.
We used Johnson's & Johnson's with washcloths up until about 2 months ago and then I filled one dispenser with Softsoap for my older daughter. We found dove and ivory both irritated them and I can't find anything gentler in a bar.
My 7 yr old takes her own shower but my 4 year old is told to wash from the neck down, including her privates, while I keep an eye on her. She's pretty independent and throws a fit if anyone tries to do it for her. :) We have a hand held shower head and I rinse her at the end.
I think the 5yr old should still be supervised while bathing... I wouldn't expect her to do it all herself the right way all the time. My almost 7yr old is just now able to be trusted to wash himself thoroughly in a shower.
The 3yr old should not be bathing alone, or even expected to get himself close to clean. This is still your job at this age. Run him a bath, wash him, get him out. Again this is still 100% your job at this age.
Burts Bees makes a baby soap bar and a heat to toe wash in liquid form, I like them both.
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SubCat...
Learning how to do it themselves is one thing, but doing a perfect job is another....help them learn by directing them where to wash, but then after they are done, go ahead and do a quick once-over on them yourself. Make sure all parts are clean....including privates....explain to your girl why you need to make sure she is extra clean down there, and what will happen if she doesn't do a good job, and that is why you are helping her make sure it is clean.
Do you let them brush their teeth all by themselves, or do you do a follow-up brushing....same thing with a bath...
Jess
My Soap-sicles are a great way to get kids to wash or "paint" themselves with the soap. I would caution you against commercial soap or body wash, it is way too harsh for their skin. A good glycerin soap or cold processed natural soap is so much better. Or, my Add-a-tubes are also great for kids to scrub up with. Here is the link to the soapsicles:
http://www.soapourri.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=...
My daughter sometimes likes to use kids body wash on a puff to wash herself. She does everything herself and then I help to rinse her hair. We also use the no slip soap - it is green and works great for my two year old. I still use the Johnson's baby wash with him.
I let my older boys (ages 6 and 2) clean themselves most of the time. I put the body wash in the water, too (I still use the Johnson & Johnson baby wash for my boys' super sensitive skin), and give them each a wash cloth. I pump more body wash on their cloth and tell them what part to wash. Even my 2yo does a pretty good job. If any visible dirt remains, I'll do the scrubbing after they're done.
Honestly, I think if they are bathing regularly you don't have a lot to worry about, even if they are not doing a completely thorough scrubbing each time.
We use this stuff called "Burts Butt Wash" or something like that... I found it in the baby aisle, its ph balanced and all that good stuff, I just always make sure I put in in the cubbord when company comes over... since it's such a weird name! :)
http://www.sascoproducts.com/catalog/23
my mom also orders these products alot... ever since I was little, Its awesome because the 1st ingrediant in all the products is aloe. The body wash is on the very bottom of that page. Plus the prices are VERY reasonable... worth a shot. I use this on my daughter too, and their face moisturizers for myself.
My kids have really sensitive skin so we don't use soap at all. They use liquid Cetaphil in the bath or shower. It's dermatologist-recommended and also easier for young kids to use than a bar soap. Cetaphil can be pretty pricey, but Walgreen's, Walmart and Target all make a store brand that is comparable and much cheaper.
I use the same as the previous poster...still using Johnson's head to toe baby/body wash. Gentle, and gets the job done!
