Rectal thermometer for starting a bowel movement

I was told by my mother than when I was a little child (unsure what age exactly), one method used for inciting me to go potty was to insert the rectal thermometer into me.

I later learned that it is actually a quite common trick, but that it is nowadays advised against by child-rearing books because of the risks of irritating the anus.

What do you think? Have you used that method, or has it been applied on you?

(I also read that some parents, instead of a thermometer, use a finger on older children. Sheesh.)

I do remember my grandma checking out with her finger if 'something' was there when I seemed constipated. I do agree with you, I think that was a pretty common trick! But I just don't understand why ppl are thinking it's a dangerous method, I was never ever hurt by inserting anything (and by 'anything' I mean a lot of stuff) in my butthole. I believe it can be at least uncomfortable or humiliating.

In my case, it was not to inspect but just to induce a defecation reflex.

There is a big difference between inserting something into one's own anus and inserting it in another person's. It is far easier to harm another person than oneself. Inserting a thermometer tip into a wriggling baby may sometimes result in injuries to the anus or rectum. Same with fingernails.

Sure, there is whole list of sharp objects that shouldn't ever be inserted anywhere. But as long as you use a lot of lube/lotion and don't use much force it's gonna be good 😃

@Pecan_nutjob I've never heard of this with a child but it makes sense. Sometimes as an older adult, if things don't start moving on their own, I will wet and insert a finger and move it around a bit. This will usually help get things started.

This was a method reccomended in the Dr. Spock books. It's since fallen out of use, of course.

Nurses still OK with this, carefully inserting tip of a digital themometer.

I have seen a unique tool that paralyzed people can use for just that----used to stimulate a bowel movement----amazon--- https://www.amazon.com/Rolyn-Prest-Sure-Grip-Digital-Stimulator/dp/B007GBD5WG?SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&ascsubtag=787021457-16&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B007GBD5WG&linkCode=xm2&tag=d_2b_a_o-20

Dr.Spock, in his baby and childcare book, did indeed note using a rectal thermometer to "Stimulate" a bowel movement. As a child, when I was constipated, my mother would take my temperature and soon after I would feel the need to move my bowels. I simply thought mom was taking my temperature, but unknown to me, she would coat the bulb of the rectal thermometer with Ivory soap and make the insertion. It worked every time.

Tvcfl1421: Ah ah! I think my mother just inserted the thermometer with proper lubrication, yours added a twist: using soap as lubricant!

When I felt constipated as a teen , my boyfriend got the idea that instead of a enema, he would insert the glass thermometer in Vicks vaporub before inserting it up my rectum, then move it on and out while I was laying face down on the paper covered bed. It felt very good and did make me go to the bathroom every time. We would do both that or enemas to clean each other out before having anal sex on the doctor paper. Any one done this?

Vicks on the bulb! There's an idea. I guess if it does the trick when you're congested, it can do the trick in other ways 😉

You two guys must've had some serious patience to deal with that crinkly doctor paper stuff though, I wouldn't be able to tune it out. On topic: I normally stick to glycerin suppositories, but the tip of a thermometer has quickened things out before.

A rectal thermometer was often used for exactly that. Digital temperature probes work well too.

A nurse friend of mine says that stomach massage and anal stimulation is still a common practice where she works.

A generous dollop of surgical lube is first applied, followed by the thermometer or probe tip being gently circled around the anal opening, just past the anal sphincter. Doing so stimulates the nerves and muscles of the lower GI tract, filling the rectal chamber, thus promoting a bowel movement.

It doesn’t make the anus sore.

It’s not recommended if the area is already sore or displaying a rash.

It doesn't sound like a good idea to use a thin glass item to stimulate the anus or rectum.

I grew up with my mom doing it to me as child. I have done it very carefully to my son at times

Maybe before I was old enough to remember Mom did this, but we got RT's 2-3 times weekly growing up, and I do not recall any of us being prompted to poop from getting the rectal thermometer.

I actually think my mom might have done with with a younger sibling or two. I think it is another way that stimulates a BM but also can have lifetime effects. There are probably as many rectal thermometer people here as those with an enema fetish and it all started out somewhere. In my case it was enemas from mom. In other cases it looks like the thermometer works as well.