How do I get my kid to spit out her toothpaste?

[NorahsMom]

I know this sounds ridiculous and apparently all the other parents in the world are figuring it out because I don't see them looking for help on the internet. But I CANNOT get my 2.5 year old dd to spit out her toothpaste. It's all about swallowing and this has been going on for over a year. I try and try and...nothin'.

Help, please?

[twirl]

Ok, here's where you can feel better - I haven't even started to suggest that DD spit it out. I have no idea.

Does she know how to spit? (sadly, my DD does, lol!)

[jeebee]

We have the same problem! She swallows it, and even though i give her water to rinse her mouth and spit, she drinks the water and then 'pretends' to spit. She just doesn't get it!!

[christy005]

my three year old still can't spit, so I am definitely watching for an answer too!!!!!

[jac1976]

What did your dentist say? Our dentist didn't have us start using real toothpaste until DS was about 3.5. We have the kids watch us brush our teeth, then they started to imitate what we do. Now 2 yo DD will *try* to spit out her toothpaste (even though its the swallowing kind) but she can't do it all the way. I also found that explaining to DS that if he swallows the toothpaste or rinse (we do a fluoride rinse after since we have non-fluoridated water) it will make his tummy hurt was a good way to get him to spit.

[wordmama]

The only way I managed to get my DS to spit was to brush my teeth with him and have him emulate the spitting. Since we've started this routine he consistently spits out the toothpaste!

[sjmj]

We did not start having them spit until they were almost four (dentist said it was fine). Until then, we used toddler toothpaste. They just watched us everynight and eventually caught on.

[greenpea]

we taught our little guy to spit at 3yrs....first with water.... I took a big mouthful and spit into the sink like a "fish" and then asked him to. Tell them to keep the water in their cheeks....and demonstrate yourself. We went back and forth until he got it....took about 20mins.. Then once that skill was learned well, I introduced the toothpaste spit concept and it worked like a charm. Now if anyone has tips on how to get him to blow his nose....I need them!!! lol

[S Starr]

DD knows how, but doesn't do it consistently at almost 4. No fluoride toothpaste here till she gets better, that's for sure! Nasty stuff if you ingest too much.... makes your bones brittle!

[Kimmyann]

We still use the baby toothpaste that doesn't have to be swallowed. He hates the adult toothpaste.