by Santana Moores

Created on: August 14, 2008

A child doing his or her business in the bathtub may not be that big of a deal. It depends on the child's age and if he or she is potty trained. If it is an older child, let the first time somewhat slide. Explain that pooping in the tub is something that we just don't do. If it continues you may need to seek outside help in figuring out why he or she is doing it. If the child is still young they may not know the difference. Make sure you remind them that you don't pee or poop in the bathtub.

When this accident does happen the first thing to do is common sense, take the child out of the tub. Clean their little bums and dry off the rest of their bodies and if you know that they may not be done, put them on the toilet or put on a diaper.

The second thing to do is to get the poop out of the tub. Leave the water in for now, it will be less of a mess this way. You can choose how you want to get it out, use your hand, some tissue, or something you don't mind getting 'dirty', but when you do just flush it down the toilet.

The next step is to take everything else out of the tub. Drain the water and pick up all bath toys. You need to give them a good cleaning before letting your child play with them again. If you have no other tub toys then you may want to clean them now, if you do then this part can always wait until a bit later, when mom has more time. You will however need to clean out the tub. You can just use your normal everyday bathtub cleaner, just make sure to give the bathtub a really good rinsing because your child will need to get back in.

The last thing to do is fill up the tub, again, and bathe your child. Even if you were done this a few moments ago you should still start from the being. Washing the hair or head, depending on the child, then the rest of the body. Remember to get in between the toes and fingers, just in case.

Pooping in the bathtub is something that every child will do. Some do it at a very early age, when they are still in the infant bathtub. The same guidelines apply. The tub toys shouldn't be a problem but the mesh supporter might. Hope you have a spare, if not you may have to support him or her by hand for this bath time.

When this happens just remember that every mom will or have gone through the same problem at some point. Keep your cool and deal with the mess. Talk to your child and explain that pooping in the bath in a no no. Hopefully you won't have to do it again.

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