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A diaper blowout is exactly what it sounds like — and every babysitter will face one eventually. This Babysitter Boss episode walks you through the 2-round cleanup process you need to know so when it happens, you can handle it fast and come out the other side a Poop Explosion Survivor.
Remember this book? It’s true. Everyone poops. Dealing with poop is a pretty normal part of the babysitter’s job. However, dealing with the poop explosion is a whole other matter.
Now let me be clear if you notice that the toddler you’re watching has a small brown stain on the backside of their outfit because the diaper leaks, that’s not a poop explosion. But if you noticed that the poop migrated up the toddler’s back and out the neck of their outfit, you might be dealing with a poop explosion.
Here’s what you do. Pick the child up. Yes, you might get poop on you. I’m sorry about your designer t-shirt. I’ve told you this before, don’t wear nice things to your babysitting job. Carry the child into the bathroom. Grab a package of wipes on the way. Yes, a whole package.
If you’re cleaning up the baby, gently lay them on a soft towel or changing pad. If you’re with a toddler, they can stand while you’re cleaning them up. Undress the child. Wipe them down with baby wipes. Keep wiping. Yep. Yep. Keep wiping. And, and more wiping.
Make sure you are putting the used wipes out of reach of the baby or toddler. Please. If you leave them within reach, they will take them and put them in their mouth. Let’s not go there. Put on a fresh diaper and outfit.
Now for round two. Put the baby or toddler somewhere safe while you clean up the mess. For example, if they are a baby, put them in their crib. If they are a toddler, put them in a pack-in-play that’s within your view. Then gather all the used wipes into a plastic grocery bag or diaper disposal bag, whatever your employer uses, and dispose of them. Put the dirty clothes in a plastic grocery bag or gallon plastic bag for the employer to wash later. And don’t forget to put the dirty towel in a plastic bag as well.
Wash your hands. And wash them good, girl, because that was gross. You’re done! Go get that baby. Congratulations! You’re a Babysitter Boss … Poop Explosion Survivor!
