Diapering and toileting are daily events in a family child care home. Here at Tara’s Tiny Tots we change babies’ diapers, help children learn to use the toilet when they are ready, and help children develop good health habits such as washing their hands after toileting.

Although diapering may not be your favorite task, it can be a special time for you and your child. It offers a chance to focus all of your attention on your child. You can talk together, sing, or play a game of “Where Are Your Toes?”. When you approach diapering as an opportunity to spend time with your baby, rather than as an unpleasant task to hurry through, you teach your child an important lesson: that bodily functions are a normal, healthy part of everyday life.

Over time, your child will become physically, cognitively, and emotionally ready to begin using the toilet. You and your childcare provider can work together to make this a good experience for your child, and the both of you can celebrate this milestone together.

Here’s how you can work together with your childcare provider:

Share information about diapering and toileting with your provider. Tell them how you approach diapering at home. How often do you change your baby’s diaper? How do you know that the diaper needs to be changed? What kind of diapers do you use? Are there any special instructions for diaper changes? Let them know what words your child will use to tell them that he or she needs to use the toilet.
Talk with your provider about how to work together to help your child learn to use the toilet. You all should look together for signs that your child is ready. You all should also talk regularly about your child’s progress. Then they can decide together about ways to support your child and resolve any differences we may have.
Remember that toileting accidents are normal. Learning to use the toilet takes time. Even children who can use the toilet successfully sometimes have toileting accidents. Your childcare provider can both respond to these in a matter-of-fact way.
Please make sure your childcare provider has diapers and changes of clothing. Don’t be surprised if they send home soiled clothing in a tightly closed plastic bag. Germs can be spread easily during diaper changing, and experts tell us not to rinse soiled clothing in family child care homes. This procedure helps to keep your child healthy.

By keeping a sense of humor, you and your childcare provider can make diapering and toileting times enjoyable and a time for learning.