my baby plays with poop | HappyHourMom.com

Feb. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- One of my clients referred, not-so-affectionately, to this happening as “fecal artistry.”  This act, shocking to parents and exploratory to kids, is not uncommon, and in most cases involving young children, not indicative of a more complex issue.

I will breakdown my suggested approach carefully, the same way you will approach cleaning up the mess before you.

An ounce of prevention…

The mom of the little one in the photos has already tried duct-taping diapers and zip-up pajamas with feet.  Cutting the feet off a one-piece pajama and putting it on backwards is another option.

Identify any patterns that exist so you can avoid potential poop painting; always in the crib?,  Naptime or nighttime?, After extended time alone?,  When caregiver is busy with other things?  Limited to a period of time?  Related to any change in the household?  Respond and address accordingly.

In day-to-day life provide lots of textural, sensory activities; exploring play dough, paint, mud, sand, etc.   Allow these activities in a child-friendly environment so exploration is not limited and cleanup is not urgent.  This may sound counter-intuitive, but sometimes too much emphasis on cleanliness and a child with too little control inspires rebellion and your heightened reaction is the payback.

Draw careful lines around exploration of things that are unhealthy; poop (of course), pet and human food, stagnant water and the like.  When this happens give clear direction and state the concern in a firm voice – “you may not put your hands in that, it is not healthy” – intervene immediately.  Provide an alternative – “you can play with water in a tub when we get home.”

Along with payback, fecal artistry can be attention getting.  Be sure to give your child undivided attention during mealtimes and caregiving times to provide a predictable schedule for uninterrupted adult attention.

Natural consequences:

Certainly when your child, the walls and the crib are covered in poop the consequences seem to belong solely to those who must deal with the mess.  Here are some ways to impose consequences on your little one as well.

Remain calm.  Bite your tongue until it bleeds, if you must.  Clearly and firmly state your disapproval and concern.  Clean your child first.  Proceed in a utilitarian way – use few words and work swiftly, strip clothes and shower off your child – lukewarm water is preferable – no sudsy warm bath.  Wrap clothes in a sanitary way and have your child take them to the laundry area.  Keep your child with you while you collect cleaning supplies and sanitize the offended space.  Require that your child sit with you while you work.  Do not allow your child to play.  Make it clear that you cannot allow your child to participate in the cleanup because it is not healthy for her to do so, but require her participation in any reasonable way.  Do not lecture, scold or complain.

Activities planned for the remainder of the day should be canceled “because we spent so much time  and effort  cleaning up this morning  we are too tired to go out.”  If you had no prior plans, utilize a magic phone call so your child has immediate consequences.

Further considerations:

Consider that a child over age two may be ready to use the potty, and consider using fecal exploration as a launching pad to potty training.

If there are other developmental concerns; delays in speech, muscle development or concerns about socialization, or if you have consistently addressed this issue using many of these suggestions, please speak to your pediatrician.

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