Automatic Flush Toilets

[SkylarKD]

I just read a neat tip on the "Mousetyme" website:

"2. A great idea for kids who are afraid of the auto-flush potties is to take a pack of [Post-it notes] with you to the parks. Place a [Post-it note] over the sensor so it does not flush before their done. Trust me, I learned from experience (had to change my daughter into her swimsuit because when the potty flushed she jumped off mid-stream!LOL) (Jane)"

Edit: Post-it notes are a much better idea than stickers!

 

[mog]

Wow - great idea! I have a 6 year old who is still terrified of those things and of course it never fails to flush while she's sitting on it! I can barely get her to use the auto flush ones. I will be taking a sheet of stickers along!
Thanks!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

My niece is terrified of those things, especially when they go off in mid potty...lol! Wonderful idea, what about taking a Disney themed cling sticker, that way it will peel off easier?

 

[SueM in MN]

Another suggestion that's been posted on the DIS boards pretty often is a package of Post it Notes. You can either use the regular size or the very small ones that are about 2 inches square. They are inexpensive, easy to find in many stores, easy to place and remove and your children won't want to keep them when you are done like with stickers.

 

[Kaycee]

I think the Post-It notes are a great idea! My older DS has a sensory integration issue that translates into a real problem with the loud flushing, so he hates the automatic flush toilets. But when I read about the stickers, my first thought was "what if the glue from the stickers builds up on the sensors, causing the toilets not to flush correctly?" so I was afraid to use them. But the post-it notes won't cause that problem, so I can let him use those without any worry! The cling stickers are another great idea. Thanks for the tips!

 

[SueM in MN]

what about taking a Disney themed cling sticker, that way it will peel off easier?

I'm not sure the cling type stickers will work since they rely on a smooth surface. A lot of the bathrooms have tile with gout lines or the walls may be something else that isn't really condusive to clings.
Also watch out for the "flush button" if your child leans against the wall. A lot of the automatic sensors have a small button about the size of a pencil eraser, underneath them as an emergency flusher in case of malfunction. My youngest DD has cerebral palsy and is not always that steady when she is in the bathrrom. We've already bumped the flush button, which certainly negates the post it note we covered the sensor with.

 

[Poohbear123]

I LIKE the Flushing Toilets, wish I had one here at home. NO-BODY knows how to Flush around here.....

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by SkylarKD
Place a sticker over the sensor so it does not flush before their done.

This is a terrible idea if by sticker, you mean the regular kind that has relatively permanent adhesive on it. Can you imagine the maintenance nitemare this would cause?

The Post-It note idea is much better.

Personally, we just tear off a couple sheets of toilet paper and drape it over the sensor. Much easier and you don't need to carry around anything special. You could also use the disposable seat covers if they are available or grab a hand towel on your way into the stall.

 

[cooldisneymom]

NOW I hear this idea!! Unfortunately DD is now 13, but this would have been valuable information 10 years ago!!! Oh well, excellent plan for all you with little ones!!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Excellent idea!! Wish I had stumbled on this when my dd was 3 and a half...
We were enjoying our first WDW meal at Pinnochio's Village Haus with our two dds when of course, my oldest dd has to go to the bathroom (those of you who might remember our popcorn bucket story and read through the end of that thread know that she visits bathrooms very, very frequently!). She was 3 and a half at the time. I took her into the bathroom stall, dutifully lay the toilet seat cover on the seat as she pulls down her pants, stand up to help her onto the seat...and WHOOSH! the potty flushes. Now, dd was very afraid of loud noises and this was her very first encounter with automatic flush toilets. Screams, tears, the whole bit. I manage to calm her down somewhat and talk her into trying again, put another seat cover on (duh! I didn't realize that I was setting the sensor off each time I leaned over to put the cover on) and another frightening WHOOSH just as she is sitting down. Well, needless to say, she wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with this horror of a bathroom trip. She ended up hollering and crying (I was sure the WDW happiness police were going to descend upon us and escort us to the gates...or someone would think I was torturing her in that stall) We both needed therapy after that visit! She was afraid of the bathrooms and my youngest dd was afraid of any type of theatre (thanks to ITBAB in AK)! Anyway, had I only known....

 

[lucysdad]

Wow! The stickers are a great idea. I actually saw the remnants of a sticker on one of the sensors when we were there a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't put the idea together until now. My dd has been petrified of those toilets since she was three and it flushed on her. We worked our way around the problem by bringing disposable cups along in my backpack. We go into a stall, she uses the cup. We pour into the toilet and then put the cup in the trash. Stickers or Post-its will be less bulky than cups to pack around. We'll have to try them next year. (Oh, do we really have to wait a year to get back to the World?)
Lucy's Mom

 

[lucysdad]

I have so many stickers, but I wouldn't want to give up any of them for those nasty toilets. They are toilet devils!
Lucy, Age 5

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by lucysdad
I actually saw the remnants of a sticker on one of the sensors when we were there a couple of weeks ago

This was my point exactly. Please do not go putting stickers over all the toilet sensors you encounter. IMO, this borders on vandalism unless you are prepared to scrub off any residue before leaving the stall.

Once again, all it takes to block the sensor is to drape a sheet of toilet paper over it. When you're done, drop the tp in the bowl and its gone.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have also seen sticker residue on the sensors, so stickers are not a good idea. But Post it Notes work well and are meant to be removable without leavinga residue or any damage to the surface they are put on.
Putting toilet paper will work with some sensors, but a lot of times the sensor is too tight to the wall to have the toilet paper stay there. So, if you want to make sure the sensor is covered, a stack of Post It notes is a sure way to do it without doing any harm.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
Putting toilet paper will work with some sensors, but a lot of times the sensor is too tight to the wall to have the toilet paper stay there.

This is true. In those cases, my wife or I went into the stall with DD and we just held a hand over the sensor while DD did what she needed to. Of course, that only works if your little one is able to take care of business without much assistance. Otherwise, the Post-It note is the way to go.

 

[mog]

Okay - post it notes it is, then. I'll put it on my packing list!

 

[decker96]

I am so glad I read this thread!!! DD6 is terrified of the auto-flush toilets to the point where she now asks before we go into any public restroom if they have "magic potties" in there. If they do, she has often refused to go. I never even thought about covering up the sensor with anything -- too worried about her freaking out I guess! Keeping post-its in my purse from now on!!!

 

[Aroura]

LMAO... oh, on our trip, I couldn't even shift on the toilet without it flushing on me... My poor son ate too much, and had a belly ache, so went to the bathroom, and the toilet flushed 9 times on him... I was laughing and asking him if it had flushed him down yet... Thankfully he isn't afraid of them.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We use the TP drape system with DD5, have ever since she was potty-trained. If we can't drape it, we simply hold it in front of the potty sensor for her. She is young enough that we are in the stall with her anyways.
Once she is done, pants up and buttoned, she scoots out the door then we let the TP drop and the potty flushes.
She doesn't have to be scared by the whoosh and we don't have to listen to crying about the scary potty.

 

[seashoreCM]

Because of the scare factor, parents will more and more these days cover up the sensor, what residues are left behind not being considered.

Flush the toilet before using it. If it looks dirty, flush it twice. It would take a lot of words to explain why, but a dirty looking toilet that was just flushed twice is quite clean to use while a clean looking toilet that hasn't been used at all for a couple of hours is quite dirty to use (bacterial growth).

This is important for auto-flush toilets. Almost all toilets will splash you, sometimes with minute droplets that you don't even feel, if you are sitting on them during a flush. By flushing first, you are assured that nobody else's filth is splashed on you.

Which leads to the next dilemma. If you needed to use a lot of toilet paper, it is desirable to flush before you are done. It is difficult for a child to get up off the toilet for a few moments when this is done.

Health hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/health.htm

Originally posted by Aroura
My poor son ate too much, and had a belly ache.

Eating slower and chewing more thoroughly will reduce the chances of this happening again.

A second reason why children get scared of toilets is because a parent or a kid at school threatened them with being flushed down the toilet.

I was on one of the enclosed water slides (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, I forget which) and it reminded me of a dream when I was little, about being flushed down the toilet.