There are certain parts of the body that require a little more attention when bathing. These parts are quite different from the ones you had to pay attention to when the child was still a preemie. As the child grows older you no longer have to pay attention to their folds. Because these start to stretch out and the areas run smoothly. However, there are parts you need to teach your kids about when teaching them to take a bath. These parts are a little difficult to clean. Numbers 8 to 10 are extra tips to observe for improved hygiene in kids.
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The Back
The back is quite difficult to reach. You can’t twist your hand enough to get a decent rub on the back (else we would all be rubbing our backs). You need to teach your kid to wash their backs properly, especially the little space that goes inside like a cylindrical container. To give your back a good and thorough cleaning hold the sponge with your two hands from end to end. Let one hand be just above your shoulder and the other close to your bottom. Put them behind you and scrub up and down. Change the position and scrub the other angle.
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Underneath The Feet
A lot of people wash the top of the feet and forget to wash the bottom. The bottom of the feet is exposed to a lot of germs and needs to be washed properly when we bathe. You need to teach your kids how to wash the bottom of their feet without losing their balance. They should sit in the bathtub before attempting to wash the bottom of the feet. Get them to bend one leg towards them, hold it with one hand and use the other to scrub it with a sponge. They should repeat this with the other feet.
The Butt Cheeks
This part is quite sensitive and leaves a lot of bacteria if you do not clean it well. You need to teach your kid to wash the area between their butt cheeks. A lot of dirt and dried up feces get stuck here. Toilet paper will not do the job for you. The best way to clean this part is to use a designated washcloth, specifically for this task. You do not want to use the same cloth as your face cloth or bathing sponge. That would be a quick way to get an infection or abscesses.
Between The Fingernails
The spaces between the fingernails need to be washed properly. You should try to give them a little scrub every bath. For kids, their fingernails might not have fully developed yet. But you still need to teach them the importance of cleaning this part. You may use a toothpick to remove all the dirt between the nails. Avoid cutting children’s nails very low. A better alternative to using a toothpick is a soft toothbrush (kept specifically for this purpose). Gently scrub and rinse. The kid doesn’t have to do this during every bath, just once a week is okay.
Behind The Ears
The back of the ears is not just important, it is also easily forgotten. You need to teach your kid to wash the back of the ears properly. Some people develop tiny bumps on the tip of the earlobe. To avoid this, the kid should always gently scrub the earlobes each time he/she takes a bath. You don’t have to worry though, this part is not that hard. Just hold the tip of your sponge and scrub gently behind the earlobe going around it and over it. Don’t let them stick the sponge in the ear canal though.
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Belly Button
The belly button is a harbor for bacteria. You need to wash it every day. If you can manage to do so even on days you don’t take your bath, that would be great. Failure to wash this part can lead to infection and itchiness. The kid should hold the tip of the sponge, just as when washing the back of the ear, pull back one side and gently scrub. They must ensure they get the dirt out. Rinse and repeat. They should do it at least twice to make sure it’s very clean. They should be careful not to get an injury due to the sensitivity of the area.
The Toes
Yes, you wash your feet, but do you wash your toes. The feet are exposed to more dirt than any other part of the body. Always in shoes, and always on the ground. The amount of bacteria that would be here is enormous. Your kid needs to learn how to wash this part properly. They should wash the toes individually. It doesn’t have to me times consuming; they should use a sponge and wrap clean the toes one by one. After that, they should use their bare hands to repeat the process before rinsing.
The Private Parts
You need to teach your kids how to wash their private parts properly. You also need to be sensitive when teaching them, these are touchy parts and you must be careful how you handle them. For girls, they should only use water. Avoid using soap to wash the female genitalia if you can. They should use their hands to wash from front to back and from in to out. For boys at age 5 and above, they can start washing the foreskin. Boys may not show any interest in washing until they are a bit older. It’s okay. Regular soaking in the bathtub can get the job done for them.
Wash These Parts Last
These parts should be washed last. Do not start by washing the space between your butt cheeks, or your toes. You should finish the general bath routine before starting with these parts. You may consider these an after-bath routine. Though the kid doesn’t have to wash these parts during every bath, they should at least do so within every 3 baths. With consistent cleaning, the child’s hygiene becomes less likely to be compromised. Also, if they are a bit sloppy in taking a bath, making sure the important parts are cleaned reduces the chances of falling ill.
Wash Hands Daily
Kids should learn to wash their hands every day. They should wash their hands with soap when they wake up and before they go to bed. They may also choose to wash their hands whenever they feel it necessary. The hands pack a lot of germs and need to be kept clean at all times. Even on days when they do not take their baths, they must make sure their hands are squeaky clean. As a parent, you are to teach them to do this. Dirty hands mean a possible infection. They may get sick from eating with dirty hands.
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