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Expert Q&A:
How can I prevent my 2-year-old from smearing feces all over everything?

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Suzanne Dixon
Answered by Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.
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"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R. Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals. Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women''s health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists.
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Question


How can I prevent my 2-year-old from smearing feces all over everything?

Answer


It sounds as if your son has found a very powerful way to get your attention! As difficult as this is, keep in mind that most 2-year-olds are fascinated with their own productions and like to experiment with their own bodies. Warm, squishy, and smelly are all features that your young artist finds attractive in his chosen "media." Here are some ways to channel his creativity elsewhere:

  • Dress him in overalls or a one-piece outfit. That will make access harder.
  • Calmly put all BM's in the toilet, but don't flush until he gives you permission. Value rather than dismiss his productions.
  • Give him lots of warm and squishy play experiences, with play dough, water play in a tub or sink, sand play, and finger paints. See the play section of this site for ideas.


When, despite your best efforts, this behavior occurs anyway, give your son a two-minute time-out without saying anything. After the time-out is over, have him help you clean up. No discussion, wailing, or lecturing.

Try to keep your reaction in check, as an over response is likely to make this activity even more desirable. Calm, firm, and a little sad are the appropriate demeanors to convey. If you treat this behavior like any other unacceptable behavior, he will learn to stop it eventually. Believe me, this too shall pass if you don't make it seem too important.
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