US20140338700A1

US20140338700A1 - Child wiping assist apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US20140338700A1
Application number: US14/344,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Richardson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-12
Filing date: 2012-10-08
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Also published as: WO2013059016A1

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting with wiping a child includes a stabilized base configured to sit on a horizontal surface and a first handle coupled to the stabilized base. The first handle is positioned such that a child bending over and grabbing the first handle with both hands opens the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean, such as during a diaper change. The apparatus may also include a second handle extending upwardly from the stabilized base higher than the first handle so that the second handle may be grabbed by the child in a standing position or during movement to and from the bent over position. A method for assisting with wiping a child while using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/546,365, filed on Oct. 12, 2011 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method configured to assist with cleaning or wiping a child, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method that assists with cleaning or wiping a standing child.

BACKGROUND

In the course of development for infants or children, a child generally progresses through multiple steps in learning how to go to the restroom like an adult. The process of “potty training” generally begins with the child wearing a diaper or similar personal sanitary garment, and eventually reaches a final stage where the child uses a regular toilet and wipes himself or herself following urination or a bowel movement. During this potty training process, a caregiver or guardian must continue to change the diapers and clean the child until the child learns how to perform these functions on their own.
To this end, the traditional method of laying the child down for changing and cleaning is generally used. In this position, the child lies on his or her back so that the legs and buttocks of the child may be lifted to provide access for removing a diaper and for wiping the private and anal areas of the child clean. While this method may be useful in a private home setting, the method is not desirable in a public restroom setting or a public daycare setting. In this regard, fold-out baby changing stations may not be rated for the weight of a child learning how to potty train, and laying on the restroom floor is a highly unsanitary option. Furthermore, some children dislike the lay down method of diaper changing and prefer to be changed in a different position. Thus, it would be desirable to wipe or clean the child without requiring that the child lies directly on the floor.
There are products available such as portable mats for temporarily covering surfaces such as a restroom floor during the changing and/or wiping of a child. However, these products still require a significant amount of room on a floor for the child to lay down for changing and/or wiping. There is a need, therefore, for an apparatus that addresses these and other problems associated with the process of changing and/or cleaning a child both in a private home setting and in a public setting during the potty training process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child includes a stabilized base configured to sit on a horizontal surface. The apparatus also includes a first handle coupled to the stabilized base. The first handle has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central gripping portion. The first handle is positioned such that a child bending over while standing and grabbing the central gripping portion with both hands will open the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean. This enables easy cleaning of a child during potty training or diapering without necessitating the traditional process of laying a child on the horizontal surface.
In one aspect, the first end portion extends generally vertically upward from the stabilized base, and the second end portion also extends generally upward from the stabilized base. The central gripping portion extends generally horizontally between the first and second end portions. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a second handle coupled to the stabilizing base and extending upwardly from the stabilizing base higher than the first handle. The second handle is configured to be grabbed by the child when the child is in a standing position or when the child transitions between bending over and standing up. In some embodiments, one or both of the first and second handles defines a T-shaped configuration with a central vertical portion extending upwardly from the stabilized base and a horizontal gripping portion coupled to the central vertical portion. In other embodiments, the second handle includes first and second end portions extending generally upwardly from the stabilized base and a U-shaped handle portion projecting forwardly and upwardly from the first and second end portions. One or both of the first and second handles may include a toy such as a steering wheel for distracting the child during wiping clean.
In another aspect, the stabilized base defines a platform for the child to stand upon while bending over and grabbing the first handle. The platform may include an outer periphery with raised edges such that the platform catches and contains any fecal matter that falls off the child during cleaning. The platform may also include footprint indicia that indicates where the child should stand on the platform during use. In some embodiments, the platform also includes elevated blocks that can support one of the feet of the child while bending over to more fully open the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean.
The stabilized base may also include a stationary lower support platform adapted to sit on the horizontal surface and an upper platform portion. The upper platform portion is coupled for free rotation with the stationary lower support portion. In these embodiments, a locking mechanism is provided and is operable to prevent rotation of the upper platform portion while the apparatus is in use. In another aspect, the platform includes at least one seam for folding the platform into a compact orientation for storage or travel between uses. The first handle may also be removable from the stabilized base during storage or travel.
In another embodiment according to the invention, a method for cleaning and wiping a child during diapering and potty training uses an assist apparatus. The method includes positioning the child in a standing position adjacent to or on top of a stabilized base of the assist apparatus sitting on a horizontal surface. The caregiver can then bend the child at the torso into a bent over position by instructing the child to grab and hold a first handle coupled to the stabilized base. This movement of the child will open up the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean. The method also includes wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean of any urine or excrement while the child continues to hold the first handle for stability. The child may then be repositioned back to the standing position to enable the child to put a new diaper or underwear on over the child's anal and/or private areas.
In one aspect, the method also includes instructing the child to grab and hold a second handle coupled to the stabilized base while positioning the child in the standing position adjacent to or on top of the stabilized base. The child then moves between the standing position and the bent over position while grabbing one or both of the first and second handles for stability. The method may also include removing a soiled diaper or underwear from the child while the child is in the standing position. A platform with raised edges on the stabilized base catches and retrieves any urine or excrement that may fall from the child within the raised edges of the platform while removing the soiled diaper or underwear and while wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean.
In another aspect, the method includes folding the platform at one or more seams after repositioning the child to the standing position so that the platform is made smaller for storage. When the platform includes a lower platform portion and a rotatable upper platform portion, the method further includes rotating the child after positioning the child in the standing position on top of the upper platform portion such that the child's anal and/or private areas face towards a caregiver. The upper platform portion may then be locked from further rotation with respect to the lower platform portion to stabilize the child during movement to the bent over position and during wiping. In embodiments where the platform includes elevated blocks, the method further includes moving one or both of the child's feet onto the elevated blocks while the child is in the bent over position to provide further access to wipe clean the child's anal and/or private areas.
These and other aspects of the embodiments of the invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description below and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a child in a standing position.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A, with the child moving from the standing position toward a bent over position.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3B, with the child in the bent over position.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child, shown in a first configuration for use.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6, shown in a second configuration for storage.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an apparatus for assisting with wiping a child.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3C, a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for assisting with wiping a child 12 is shown. The apparatus 10 includes a stabilized base 14 for supporting the apparatus 10 on a horizontal surface such as a floor. The apparatus 10 also includes a first handle 16 projecting upwardly from the stabilized base 14. The first handle 16 is positioned adjacent to the stabilized base 14 such that a child 12 standing on or next to the base 14 has to bend over to grab the first handle 16 with both hands. In this regard, the first handle 16 stabilizes the child 12 when he or she moves to a bent over position. In the bent over position, the child's anal and private areas are more readily accessible for wiping and cleaning. Thus, the apparatus 10 assists a caregiver or guardian in wiping a child 12 following a bowel movement, whether that bowel movement occurs on a toilet or in a diaper or other personal sanitary garment.
With specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 is shown in greater detail. The stabilized base 14 of this embodiment defines a platform 14 for the child 12 to stand upon during wiping and cleaning. To this end, the base 14 includes a stationary lower support portion 18 configured to sit on a horizontal support surface such as a floor. The base 14 also includes an upper platform portion 20 coupled to the lower support portion 18. The upper platform portion 20 is adapted to freely rotate with respect to the lower support portion 18. Each of the lower support portion 18 and the upper platform portion 20 is generally circular in shape in this embodiment. Additionally, the upper platform portion 20 is sized slightly larger than the lower support portion 18. It will be understood that the shape and size of the lower support portion 18 and the upper platform portion 20 may be modified in other embodiments within the scope of the invention.
The stabilized base 14 also includes a locking mechanism 22 for locking the relative rotational positions of the lower support portion 18 and the upper platform portion 20. In one example, the locking mechanism 22 includes a locking pin 24 extending through the upper platform portion 20 and a pin handle 26 attached to the locking pin 24 above the upper platform portion 20. The locking pin 24 may frictionally engage the lower support portion 18 or may be selectively inserted into pin apertures (not shown) located at various radial positions adjacent an outer periphery 28 of the lower support portion 18. The pin handle 26 may be pulled upwardly to disengage the locking pin 24 from the lower support portion 18 to once again enable the upper platform portion 20 to rotate freely with respect to the stationary lower support portion 18. It will be understood that other known types of locking or clamping devices may be used for the locking mechanism 22 within the scope of the invention.
The first handle 16 is coupled to the upper platform portion 20 by a pair of handle receptacles 30 coupled to the upper platform portion 20. The handle receptacles 30 may be coupled to the upper platform portion 20 in various ways, including but not limited to adherence with adhesive and connection with fasteners such as threaded screws or bolts. The first handle 16 includes a first end portion 32 extending into one of the handle receptacles 30 and projecting generally vertically above the handle receptacle 30. The first handle 16 also includes a second end portion 34 extending into the other handle receptacle 30 and projecting generally vertically above the handle receptacle 30. The first handle 16 further includes a central gripping portion 36 extending from the first end portion 32 to the second end portion 34 in a generally horizontal orientation. In the context of the present application, being generally vertical or generally horizontal refers to general orientations of these handle portions and does not limit the portions to exactly horizontal and exactly vertical orientations. For example, the first and second end portions 32, 34 may be angled from the vertical orientation by up to 45 degrees from vertical. It will be understood that the first handle 16 may define alternative configurations in other embodiments consistent with the scope of the invention, such as a T-shaped handle that still includes first and second end portions (which may or may not be connected to the stabilized base 14) and a central gripping portion. Other alternatives for handle shape and connection to the stabilized base 14 are also possible for the first handle 16.
Although the central gripping portion 36 is shown in these embodiments as having a generally straight shape between the first and second end portions 32, 34, it will be understood that the central gripping portion 36 may define other shapes such as arcuate or bent in other embodiments. Moreover, it will be understood that the first handle 16 may define different overall shapes other than the U-shaped version shown in these figures. In the illustrated embodiment, the central gripping portion 36 is connected to the first end portion 32 at a first elbow 38 and is connected to the second end portion 34 at a second elbow 40. To this end, the first handle 16 may be formed as an integral unit or may be assembled from various pipe-like portions. In one example, the first handle 16 may be formed of PVC or plastic pipe while the stabilized base 14 is formed from plywood, plastic, or another suitable structural material. The first and second end portions 32, 34 of the first handle 16 may be permanently coupled such as by adherence to the handle receptacles 30. Alternatively, the first and second end portions 32, 34 may define a snap fit or frictional engagement with the handle receptacle 30 such that the first handle 16 may be removed when necessary. In some embodiments within the scope of the invention, the apparatus 10 is a unitary injection-molded piece in which the first handle 16 and the stabilized base 14 are formed integrally, such as from plastic material.
The apparatus 10 of this embodiment also includes a second handle 42 configured to stabilize the child 12 in a standing upright position or as the child 12 moves between the standing upright position and the bent over position. The second handle 42 is coupled to the upper platform portion 20 by another pair of handle receptacles 30. The second handle 42 includes a first end portion 44 extending into one of the handle receptacles 30 and projecting generally vertically above the handle receptacle 30. The second handle 42 also includes a second end portion 46 extending into the other handle receptacle 30 and projecting generally vertically above the handle receptacle 30. The second handle 42 further includes a central gripping portion 48 extending from the first end portion 44 to the second end portion 46. The central gripping portion 48 is generally U-shaped and extends forwardly and upwardly from the first end portion 44 and the second end portion 46. Although the central gripping portion 48 is illustrated as including multiple straight portions, the central gripping portion 48 may be modified to have an arcuate shape or another shape in other embodiments. Similar to the first handle 16, the second handle 42 may be formed as an integral unit or may be formed as multiple pipe-like portions coupled together. Moreover, the second handle 42 may be permanently coupled (such as by adherence with adhesive) to the handle receptacles 30 or removably coupled to the handle receptacles 30 with a snap fit or frictional fit. As noted above, the second handle 42 may also be integrally formed as a unitary piece with the stabilized base 14 in other non-illustrated embodiments of the apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilized base 14 also includes footprint indicia 50 on the upper platform portion 20 located generally behind the first handle 16 and the second handle 42. The footprint indicia 50 indicates to the child 12 where to stand when grabbing either the first or second handles 16, 42. The footprint indicia 50 may be reconfigured with different shaped and sized logos within the scope of the invention, as long as the indicia 50 are located where the child 12 needs to place their feet during use of the apparatus 10.
The operation of the apparatus 10 is shown with a child 12 in various positions in FIGS. 3A-3C. More specifically, the child 12 is in a standing upright position in FIG. 3A. In this position, the diaper 52 on the child 12 may be removed as understood in the diapering field. The child 12 holds the central gripping portion 48 of the second handle 42 to stabilize the child 12 against tipping or falling during the removal of the diaper. The child 12 may also be repositioned by rotating the upper platform portion 20 with respect to the lower support portion 18 in this position. After the diaper is removed and/or the child 12 is positioned at a proper rotational angle, the child 12 may move to a bent over position as explained in further detail below.
FIG. 3B shows the child 12 moving between the standing upright position and the bent over position. During this movement, the child 12 may move his hands to the first handle 16 for stability as shown. Alternatively, the child 12 may continue to hold onto the second handle 42 during this movement. The child 12 is shown in the fully bent over position in FIG. 3C. In this position, the child 12 grabs the central gripping portion 36 of the first handle 16 for stability while a caregiver or guardian wipes and cleans the anal and private areas of the child 12. It can be readily understood from FIG. 3C that the anal and/or private areas of the child 12 open up for ready access in the bent over position of FIG. 3C. As such, a caregiver or guardian can easily and reliably wipe clean those areas following urination or a bowel movement. Thus, the apparatus 10 advantageously enables the wiping or cleaning of a child 12 in a standing position with minimized contact of floor surfaces.
With reference to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the apparatus 60 similar to the first embodiment is shown. To this end, the same reference numbers are used in FIG. 4 to refer to identical items from the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3C. The apparatus 60 of FIG. 4 again includes the stabilized base 14 with a lower support portion 18 and an upper platform portion 20 for supporting the child 12. The apparatus 60 also includes a first handle 16 coupled to the base 14 as previously described. In this embodiment, the apparatus 60 includes a different design for a second handle 62. To this end, the second handle 62 is a T-shaped member that includes a single handle receptacle 64, a central vertical portion 66 extending upwardly from the handle receptacle 64 and the upper platform portion 20, and a horizontal gripping portion 68 coupled to the central vertical portion 66. Although the central vertical portion 66 and the horizontal gripping portion 68 are shown as straight pipe-like portions in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that these portions 66, 68 may be reshaped to have another shape in other embodiments. The horizontal gripping portion 68 may also optionally include a toy steering wheel 70 or other toys to distract the child 12 during the wiping and cleaning process. It will be understood that the toy steering wheel 70 (or other toys) may also be located on the first handle 16 in other embodiments. Furthermore, the T-shaped second handle 62 may be considered to have a central gripping portions and first and second end portions, some of which may be connected to the stabilized base 14.
With reference to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the apparatus 80 for assisting with wiping a child 12 is shown. Once again, the same reference numbers are used in FIG. 5 to refer to identical items from the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3C. In this embodiment, the apparatus 80 includes a stabilized base 82 that defines a stationary platform 82 for the child 12 to stand upon. The stationary platform 82 is generally rectangular shaped, but the shape of the platform 82 may be modified in other embodiments within the scope of the invention. The stationary platform 82 also includes an outer periphery 84 having a raised edge 86 surrounding the platform 82. The raised edge 86 helps catch any waste or fecal matter that may spill during the changing of a diaper or the wiping and cleaning of the child 12. It will be understood that the raised edge 86 may be used with any other embodiment of the apparatus described herein, including but not limited to the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3C.
The apparatus 80 also includes the footprint indicia 50 and the first handle 16 as previously described. Thus, when the child 12 stands on the platform 82 at the location indicated by the indicia 50 and moves to a bent over position, the child 12 may grab the first handle 16 for stability during wiping and cleaning of the anal and/or private areas. The apparatus 80 also includes a pair of elevated blocks 88 coupled to the platform 82 and located on either side of the footprint indicia 50. The elevated blocks 88 enable the child 12 to move one foot or the other up onto the corresponding elevated block 88 while in the bent over position to more fully open the anal and/or private areas for wiping and cleaning. It will be understood that the elevated blocks 88 may be repositioned or reshaped into a non-cuboid shape in other embodiments of the apparatus. Moreover, the elevated blocks 88 may be added to any other embodiment of the apparatus described herein, including but not limited to the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3C.
Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the apparatus 100 for assisting with wiping a child 12 is shown. This apparatus 100 is similar to the apparatus 80 previously described in connection with FIG. 5, and the same reference numbers have been used to identify identical structure from previous embodiments of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a stabilized base 102 which defines a stationary platform 102 for the child 12 to stand upon. The platform 102 is subdivided into first, second, and third portions 104 a, 104 b, 104 c that are coupled to one another at seams 106 with hinges 108. Consequently, the platform 102 may be folded from the first deployable orientation shown in FIG. 6 to the folded orientation shown in FIG. 7. Additionally, FIG. 7 illustrates schematically that the first handle 16 may be removable from the handle receptacles 30 such that the apparatus 100 may be put into a compact orientation for storage or travel. It will be understood that the stabilized bases of other embodiments may also be subdivided into hinged foldable portions within the scope of the invention. The apparatus 100 of this embodiment is used in the same way by a child 12 gripping the first handle 16 when in a bent over position to provide easy access to the anal and/or private areas of the child 12 for wiping clean.
FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the apparatus 120 for assisting with wiping a child 12. Unlike previous embodiments, the apparatus 120 includes a smaller stabilized base 122 which does not define a platform upon which the child 12 stands during use. The first handle 16 is again coupled to and supported by the stabilized base 122 such that the child 12 may stabilize himself by gripping the first handle 16 in the bent over position during wiping and cleaning of the anal and/or private areas following urination or bowel movement. This embodiment of the apparatus 120 is readily portable but still advantageously limits the amount of contact the child 12 will have with floor surfaces during the wiping clean process. Although the smaller stabilized base 122 has been shown with a roughly rectangular shape in FIG. 8, it will be understood that the stabilized base 122 could define different shapes and peripheral profiles in other embodiments consistent with the scope of the invention. For example, the stabilized base 122 could include a wavy periphery or projecting supports that maximize the stability of the stabilized base 122 on the horizontal surface.
In summary, the various embodiments of the apparatus 10, 60, 80, 100, 120 for assisting with wiping a child enables the wiping clean of a child's anal and/or private areas in a standing and bent over position. The invention limits the amount of undesirable contact between the child and floor surfaces, especially public restroom floors. Furthermore, the apparatus 10, 60, 80, 100, 120 may easily be transported for use when potty training a child away from a private home setting. Additionally, the apparatus 10, 60, 80, 100, 120 enables wiping clean or changing of a child in a standing position for those children who dislike the lay down position. By positioning the apparatus 10, 60, 80, 100, 120 proximate to a toilet in a bathroom (in a public or private setting), the child may be encouraged to transition from diaper changing to regular toilet usage. The apparatus 10, 60, 80, 100, 120 improves and simplifies the cleaning process for caregivers and guardians teaching their children how to use the restroom like an adult.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assisting with wiping a child, comprising:

a base configured to sit on a horizontal surface, the base including a handle receptacle; and

a first handle coupled to the base at a single stationary location defined by the handle receptacle, the first handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central gripping portion, wherein the first end portion extends generally vertically upward from the base, the second end portion extends generally vertically upward from the base, and the central gripping portion extends generally horizontally between the first and second end portions,

wherein the first handle is positioned such that the central gripping portion is located adjacent to the base with the first handle out of reach for a standing child until the child bends over, and wherein a child bending over while standing and grabbing the central gripping portion of the first handle with both hands opens the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean.

2. (canceled)

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base defines a platform for the child to stand upon when bending over and grabbing the first handle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the platform includes an outer periphery having raised edges such that the platform catches and contains any fecal matter that falls off the child during cleaning of the child.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the platform includes footprint indicia to indicate where the child is to stand when bending over and grabbing the first handle.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the platform includes elevated blocks configured to support one of the feet of the child while bending over to more fully open the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base includes a stationary lower support portion adapted to sit on a horizontal surface and an upper platform portion coupled to the stationary lower support portion such that the upper support portion freely rotates with respect to the stationary lower support portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the stabilized base includes a locking mechanism operable to prevent rotation of the upper platform portion with respect to the stationary lower support portion when the locking mechanism is actuated.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the platform is configured to be folded into a compact orientation for storage or travel during non-use.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first handle is removable from the stabilized base during storage or travel.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second handle coupled to the base and extending upwardly from the stabilizing base higher than the first handle, the second handle configured to be grabbed by the child when the child is in a standing position or when the child transitions between bending over and standing up.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second handle includes a central vertical portion extending upwardly from the base and a horizontal gripping portion coupled to the central vertical portion to define a T-shaped configuration.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second handle includes first and second end portions extending generally vertically upward from the stabilized base and a U-shaped handle portion projecting forwardly and upwardly from the first and second end portions.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second handles includes at least one of a toy or steering wheel to distract the child during cleaning.

15. A method for cleaning and wiping a child during diapering and potty training while using an assist apparatus, the method comprising:

positioning the child in a standing position adjacent to or on top of a base of the assist apparatus sitting on a horizontal surface;

bending the child at the torso into a bent over position by instructing the child to grab and hold a first handle coupled to the base, thereby opening up the child's anal and/or private areas for wiping clean;

wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean of any urine or excrement while the child continues to hold the first handle for stability; and

repositioning the child back to the standing position to enable the child to put a new diaper or underwear on over the child's anal and/or private areas.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the assist apparatus includes a second handle extending from the base, and the method further comprises:

instructing the child to grab and hold the second handle while positioning the child in the standing position adjacent to or on top of the base; and

moving the child between the standing position and the bent over position while the child grabs one or both of the first and second handles for stability during the movement between positions.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes a platform for the child to stand on, the platform including raised edges, and the method further comprises:

removing a soiled diaper or underwear from the child while the child is in the standing position; and

catching and retrieving any urine or excrement that may fall from the child within the raised edges of the platform while removing the soiled diaper or underwear and while wiping the child's anal and/or private areas clean.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes a platform for the child to stand on, and the method further comprises:

folding the platform into a compact orientation after repositioning the child back to the standing position such that the platform is made smaller for storage.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the base of the assist apparatus includes an upper platform portion for the child to stand on and a lower platform portion configured to sit on the horizontal surface, and the method further comprises:

rotating the child after positioning the child in the standing position on top of the upper platform portion of the base such that the child's anal and/or private areas face towards a caregiver; and

locking the upper platform portion from further rotation with respect to the lower platform portion to stabilize the child during movement to the bent over position and during wiping.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the base includes elevated blocks on a platform for the child to stand on, and the method further comprises:

moving one or both of the child's feet onto the elevated blocks while the child is in the bent over position to provide further access to wipe clean the child's anal and/or private areas.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first handle consists only of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the central gripping portion such that no additional structures extend away from the first handle other than the handle receptacle and the base.