washing childrens hands

[polly2]

Hiya all

I read somewhere in a thread (sorry cant remember where) that the inspector had recommended washing the childs hands after nappy changing (as well as your own - of course)

My question is - would wiping their hands with a baby wipe be acceptable? Obviously for an older child that has been to the toilet I would take them to the sink to wash hands - but for a baby???

I would be really interested to know what every one else does.

[banana]

Hiya,

yeah thats what i was just recommended in my inspection.

babies are not required to have their hands washed (that really would be taking it too far) so who knows maybe in the future

Inspector was saying it should be done so that toddlers are getting into a routine with hand washing after any toileting potty training or not.

So they do actually want you to take them to the bathroom to wash thier hands, I wouldnt stress too much for yonger babies/just walking etc, but older toddlers definately.

Also- does everybody use liquid soap?? I do and the inspector wanted to check that i did - dont like them using soap bars becuase of contamination - they think of everything dont they

[Pauline]

It's a good idea to wipe babies hands after nappy changing, like Lana says to get them in the routine, but also they have the habit of shoving their hands down there when changing them don't they?! Especially the boys!!!! So need to be cleaned up even if it's only a wet nappy.

Regarding hand washing, do you all have individual towels for each child or do you use paper towels?

If using individual towels do you change them every day?

[deeb66]

Hi

I encourage the child to wash their hands after I have changed their nappy because as Pauline said a lot of the time the children put their hands down there as soon as you take the nappy off - also as Lana has said it gets them in to good practice.

I do not use changing mats but each child has a changing towel (hand size). Each child has their own face flannel and hand towel in the bathroom for drying their hands. All the towels/flannels are colour coded the same colour so they know which ones are theirs (and so do I!!!) and all the colours are distinctively different so that the children can easily see the differences. All towels and flannels are changed and washed daily.

A friend of mine was recently inspected and the Inspector was ok with the towel system but said that she would personally prefer that paper towels were used as it was more hygienic. I would consider putting in a paper towel dispenser if I had a separate downstairs toilet as I wouldn't see this as a problem/eyesore but I don't think I want one in my bathroom.

Dee

[rainbowmum]

I have a basket full of flannels & I use a fresh one each time & put it sraight in wash - I also use them fir hand drying - they are just the right size for little hands - again 1 use & in the wash. It sounds like a lot of washing but they are so small you dont notice! I pick up cheap ones when ever I see them - Primark had bundles of 4 for £1.50

[deeb66]

Thats an excellent idea Sharon - think I may convert to your way as it sounds better

Dee

[bessie]

Sharon I love the idea of using flannels for hand drying. Just like the guest towels in posh hotels - not that I've been to many but I have seen this and it's so much more hygenic than using a solitary towel. I would rather flap my hands dry than using it!

I do think the whole hand washing thing has gone a bit far in our own homes. I had never thought of washing baby's hands after a nappy change unless they had stuck them in and they needed it.

But we do make a song and dance of handwashing - we sing through happy birthday while soaping!

Bx






Bx

[polly2]

Thanks girls!
So baby wipes are ok for babies hands - thats a relief

Great idea about flannels rainbow, I think I will do that too in readiness for minding older children. All the children I mind are babies! They will all grow up and in a few months will be terrible 2's together!! ;D

Also if I were to use paper towels where would you buy them from and are they expensive?

[manjay]

Hi Polly,

I bought a really "trendy" paper towel dispenser from Makro for about £6. It is a Kimberly clark one so quite a good make. When I say trendy I think that may be pushing it but I mean it doesn't look like it belongs in some seedy public loo!! You can get quite cheap refils for it if you shop around. I bought recycled ones ( I am in my environmentally friendly phase and hence am trying to cut down on my washing machine useage!!) and the cost of those wasn't too bad either.

Amanda xx

[polly2]

Thanks everyone
I don't have a makro near me Manjay but I might have a look on e bay they sound quite reasonable.
Otherwise I think I'll use the flannel idea (thank you rainbow)
xx