My child is now about a year and a half old and keeping him clean all the time is tough and cumbersome. As much as I want to say I’ve mastered the art of toddler hygiene, I really haven’t. It’s a learning process for sure. There’s still so much for me to learn as a mother.
When my son started walking, hygiene became a whole new obstacle. It’s not just about the quick baby wipes anymore—it’s about teaching him to wash his hands, brush his teeth, and eventually potty training (at around age 2 or 3). Ugh. Still a while away but something I definitely keep in mind.
One of the first things I learned is that toddlers have a knack for getting dirty. You bathe them, and ten minutes later, they’re dirty again. But I’ve realized it’s all part of the process. Every other day we give our LO a bath and it has become routine for us. We tend to give a bath after dinner so he doesn’t get dirty again as he eats his last meal of the day.
Let’s talk about washing hands. I thought it would be easy—just wash and wipe, right? Wrong. Getting a toddler to wash their hands properly requires patience and creativity. I play a little peek-a-boo with the soap and he loves it. I suggest trying fun soaps, sing silly songs, or turn hand-washing into a game. I’m sure your LO will eventually love it… and that’s what you want!
And then, there’s brushing teeth. Some days, he’s super cooperative. Other days, he’s just not. One thing that’s worked for me is brushing together. When he sees me brushing my teeth, he’s more interested in doing it too. Toddlers love to mimic!
Of course, there are moments when everything goes out the window—like when he’s got a cold or some other sickness. He forgets a lot of the things he just learned as he is recovering. I remind myself that perfection isn’t the goal—just progress.
In the end, hygiene for toddlers is all about making it fun and being patient. It might be chaotic now, but one day they’ll be pros at it. Until then, I’ll keep singing “Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands” on repeat and celebrating the small wins, like a squeaky-clean face after dinner or a successful toothbrushing without tears.
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