When potty training hygiene is definitely a consideration for both genders, however, special consideration need to be given to avoid future problems with infection.

Even after a child has been potty trained and has accepted the full responsibilities associated with potty training i.e. getting to the potty by themselves, pulling pant up and down, washing hands etc, wiping seems to remain a parental responsibility!

It is difficult for a children to do a good job of wiping themselves. Poor clean up can be irritating in more way than one!

How long you help your child will depend on your child and yourself. Some children will get to a point where they will want more privacy and hence will not want your help, while others do not like being dirty and will want your help until they are older.

Bottom line: Do what works for you, your child and your family!! Be assured - everything being typical - there will come a time when your child will not longer need or want your help!

As a parent, it is your job your stress good habits right from the beginning.

• Teach your child, especially your little girl to wipe from front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria from stool to infect the vaginal area.

• Flushable toilet paper or flushable wipes are now readily available. Teach your child to use the after bowel movements. Not only do they do a better job of cleaning, they will easy your burden when it comes to doing laundry.

• The flushable toilet paper can also be used for hand hygiene.

• Teach your child to look at the toilet paper that they use to wipe themselves and teach them to continue wiping until there is not brown stain.

• Insist that your child wash their hands after going potty. One way to encourage and motivate your child is to provide them with fun soaps - especially the foaming kind.

• If your little girl loves pretty things, purchase some pretty towels and soap that may encourage her to wash her hands.

Tip from Mom:

Attach the hand towel to the towel bar or the shower curtain with a clip to keep the towel from ending up on the floor.