1 Year Old Won't Let Me Change Diaper

omg! Its got to be just the age my son is the same way, although i can pretty much get him cleaned up while he is laying down, but as soon as i put a new diaper on he goes running. Its definatly a struggle, but thats kids for ya.

Maybe she is afraid of the height of the table for some reason?? Maybe you should try the floor or the bed or sofa. This hasn't happened to me, but my mother said my sister was terrified of being changed on her back - everyone learned how to change diapers with her on her belly... You never know with kids! Good luck - M.

It could be that she has a newly developed height fear of being on the changing table. Have you tried sitting and changing her on the bed,the sofa, or even the floor with a towel under her? ~M.~

I believe this is a very natural thing for kids this age to do (at least all 3 of mine have gone through it.) For her safety maybe you might want to try and change her on a couch, bed or even the floor. Give her something to hold onto and distract her with. As with everything else she will outgrow this phase. She is just realizing that she can control her surroundings more and is testing her boundaries.

Good luck!!

H. Z.

Hi S., well, congratulations!!! you have a healthy and very normal little one!! Every baby goes through this stage. It's very frustrating for sure, both of my kids did this and my 22 month old son is still doing it!!! This too will pass and she will be grown before you know it. keep trying to offer her fun and interesting things to inspect while you attempt the impossible!! good luck!! L. C.

I have the same problem with my 15 month old daughter who has been doing the same thing for months now. I try and not get frustrated though as my daughter loves to see me sweat! I try and singing her favorite song, I give her her fav. book or give her a sippy cup of milk, water, juice etc. It's not easy at all. I enlist my husband if possible esp. when there's poop! She'll grow out of it soon enough, you can also start showing her the potty and putting a big girl seat on your toliet to show her where she'll be going soon. Good luck!

I had the same problem with both my sons. My trick was to (safely) hang a set of sparkly wind chimes over their changing table. They would become mesmerized by the sound and the light reflecting off of them, juuuuust long enough for me to change them. I even could bonk the chimes with my head if I needed a few more seconds to get the job done.

Good luck!

Had this problem with both my kids but my daughter who is now 1 is far worse and needs more tricks! Giving her toys or things to hold to help me does not work for us -- she throws them at me or if it is the diaper or wipes always throws them on the floor far, far away. The advice here is good, here are the things that worked best for me:

-- I use pull-up diapers whenever possible as she is much better standing. I don't like to use this for poop though since I can never seem to get her clean enough that way.

-- Use this time to teach her the parts of her body. We do "Where is baby's nose..." etc. a lot. Then "Where is mommy's..." We sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. These also help to keep her hands out of my way since she is always trying to get them in the diaper. Tickle and blow raspberries on her belly when you get to belly. Itsy Bitsy Spider works too -- anything to keep her hands moving!

-- Pictures of baby faces around the changing table. They really respond to babies.

-- Pictures of people we know around the changing table to talk about

-- A little mobile with a mirror above the changing table she can play with, make faces at, etc. It also plays "You are my sunshine" which I always turn on and sing with her

-- Never ever laugh or get angry when she is rolling away -- it only makes her laugh and try even harder

-- Personally I stick with the changing table as much as possible as well -- changing her on the floor gave her an escape route and made it even harder

It will pass but it doesn't make it any easier now! My daughter is now fifteen months and getting much better! Good luck!

Well I too have a one year old who resists diaper changing. I have found handing her something to play with definately helps. Of course change the item frequently to keep her interested. I also have a musical snowglobe that I turn on. It calms her down long enough to get her changed. Hope this helps...good luck!

Hi S.,
I have the exact same problem and posted as similar request about a month ago and didn't get much of a relpy, so I'll be checking back in on your responses. My son just turned one last weekend and he just like your daughter. REDICULOUS, I know! I feel like its a joke when he freaks out the way he does and all I can do is the best I can, many times standing too and then he pees on the floor while he's squirmed away. We had to move to his bedroom floor because I was afraid of him falling off the changing table. It's bad, as you know. I think things are too interesting and that they are asserting their independence, but c'mon! Can you imaging trying to do that in a rest room somewhere? Good luck.... you're not alone.

My two and a half year old has gone in and out of anti-diaper change behavior about four times now. Same deal, kicking, screaming, rolling back and forth - super annoying. It was easier in the am and pm with help from Dad! We found three things which helped. Singing, covering his face with a blanket (to play peek-a-boo, not like a canary) and the most effective? Changing him on the sofa with an animal or music video on tv. If it helps - these phases only lasted about 4 to 6 weeks.
-L.

Wow, can I relate to you! I have the same problem. My 1-year- old daughter does the same thing. I am usually able to accomplish the task by distracting her with a toy. It is very frustrating! She has always hated to have her diapers changed. I also work part-time and really need her cooperation. Although, this isn't always the case. Anyway, good luck to you. Please let me know if you find a solution. I think she may outgrow it.

Hi S. - very common in kids at this age, frustrating too. Have you tried laying her on the floor? I think sometimes they are afraid of the height. I used to have to lay mine on the floor & put one leg over the top 1/2 of their body. Its a phase, it'll pass eventually. :)

Well my daughter Arihanna was like that at one point. She is 18 months now, but just a couple months ago she wouldn't let me change her diaper. JUst like you, I would try everything and she would just scream, kick and turn all over the place.Then one day my mom suggested I do the following.
- giver her something she liked while I changed her
- have her help me, that seemes to work for me.I would let her know she was doing a really good job helping mommy
-another thing I would do too was tell her that as soon as we were done we were going to do something she liked. For example go bye bye. She loves to go bye bye! Hahah

Hang in there, I know it's very fustrating for the both of you, but it's just a stage she is going through. Before you know it she is going to be asking you to change her. That's what my daughter does now, I love it! Makes things so much easier. Hope one of these will help you and your baby.

Hi S.,
I went through the same exact thing and it was sooo frustrating! Especially b/c I had a limited time to get my son dressed and out of the house. What I did, and probably not a great solution b/c they are not close to potty training, BUT for those times when I had only a few minutes to get him changed I bought pull-ups. He loved them! Feels like a big boy and I put them on him standing up. The down side - we went through a few pairs of shorts and pants that weren't salvagable (if you not what I mean). He is now 18 months and for some reason, does not fight as much anymore, so we switched back to regular diapers. Potty training is right around the corner for us. Good luck!

Hi S.,

I think many children go through this phase. I ended up changing my son on the floor on top of the pad from the changing table. I dind't want him falling since I probably wouldn't catch him in time.
If he really squirmed, I would gently say "I am sorry but this is non negotiable, we need to change these yucky diapers!" I would playfully emphasize the word yucky. I also kept a couple of toys that he really liked for changing time only.
Sometimes I would put my whole leg over his belly to keep him down without too much pressure. This helped me to change him faster. He started to look forward to the moment I let go as soon as I said "all done!" so he could "run away".
I have also gotten really good at changing him while he's standing up and he now likes to help holding the front of the diaper. This comes in very handy when we are out of the house.

I hope this helps,
A.

Hi S.,
This sounds silly but it worked for my son (although he did not start fighting a diaper change until he turned 20 months). I use the bed vs a changing table which is probably getting uncomfortable for your daughter.
I put a small pillow for him to rest his head on, a towel underneath him and I put stuffed animals down each side of the towel. He actually finds it rather amusing. If he starts to fuss, I hand him a stuffed animal. Sometimes I make a game of it and tell him I bet I can get your diaper changed by the count of ten and start counting slowly, he cracks up while I'm counting. Granted, we still have a few diaper changes he is not happy to get but the calmer you stay the faster it seems to get done.
Best to you.
L.

Hi S.,

I completely understand where you are coming from. I am a toddler teacher and every now and then I have a child who doesn't like having his or her diaper changed. I have a special toy but I also have pictures on the wall next to the changing table and we talk about them. I also sing songs and rhymes and get them involved. I would try different things and see what works for you. Also maybe having her help you may work also. holding the clean diaper for you while you take off her soiled diaper. Even asking her to help you get the wipes and diapers before getting change. Just a few ideas. I hope they help. : )

At first disracting my son with songs like "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" worked but then he got smart to that.

I avoid changing tables and use the floor as long as there isn't something too interesting on the floor to lure him away.

Having the same stuffed animal or small book handy sometimes works. I have also gotten good at changing him while he is sitting or standing up.

As a last resort I put on a cartoon which can keep him focused for thirty seconds while I wrestle him into a diaper.

Good Luck I am hoping that this really is a phase too.

My sister's younger boy was like that. never liked to lie down except to sleep. We all just got really good at standing him up to change, poop and all! It is a challenge. He was an early potty trainer though... especially for a boy! Let's hope your little one is too!

Oh boy! It's a stage, so don't let her get the best of you. I am sure that many others have had similar issues but it goes away quick. Anything musical that could help? You might want to keep something around that you can sing with .. what ever it is .. get her to focus on something other than the diaper change and maybe you can take back your control. I remember getting in my son's face and saying in a very stirn voice "knock it off right now, you need a diaper change and I'm going to win" .. made him mad but he did give in. Some are more stubborn than others but try the music!

try changing her on the floor and try singing to her, I sing the abc's or some other song. good luck

I let my son help me and after we are done I bundle the diaper up reall tight and let him throw it away. He loves putting things in the trash and he gets a kick out of helping mommy. You could also try a special toy that she only gets when she getting her diaper changed.

Hi - my 20 month old still does this to me. I just get everything I need all together on the floor, give him a sippy cup and lay him down on the floor and GENTLY put a leg over his mid section while I change him as fast as I can. I know it sounds weird, but it really is the only way I can get through a diaper change without a huge brawl. Good luck!

Oh my goodness doesn't this sound like my 20 month old!!! It's so frustrating and believe me it is just a phase that she'll grow out of. We have to entice her with all kinds of toys, sometimes a snack especially if she is heavily involved in something but that poop needs to be changed because she has very sensitive skin. Our daughter is now letting us know when she has a "pee ewh" so we think she will start on her way to potty training soon. But it is a battle. I don't have much advice but I do want you to know you are not alone. But again, it is just a phase, a long one, but it's good to know that all phases end at some point! :) Good luck, it's like battling a tae kwon doe master!

Hi S.,

My 18-month-old does this same thing off and on--and has for quite a while now. Yes, it is a phase, but that certainly doesn't help you solve the issue and get the change done. I will sometimes sing a song to her--if it doesn't work, I try making up some really stupid lyrics to known and my own made up tunes. Sometimes I have her big sister act really silly beside her. I will shake my head and move it towards her, making silly sounds--which gets her to laugh ridiculously for some reason. Sometimes I try to lightly/quickly tickle her to distract her. I cover her face with her pants and play peekaboo. I give her eskimo kisses. I give her raspberries on her cheek (face). ;-) Sometimes I will play a silly game with her legs before I change her--whether moving them together from side to side/bicycling them--really, anything that I can think of at the time.

Also--I haven't had her on a changing table in I don't know how long. She is on the floor on a rug that we don't care about. The trick for us is to change up the distraction--if you couldn't tell by the variety listed above. I go into each diaper change not knowing whether or not she will object, and if she does, which trick will be the solution this time. And, of course, there are the times when I have to create yet another distraction.

Good luck--it won't last forever. Try to have some sense of humor about it--I know that I say that and it is easier said than done.

I know you have heard this a dozen times but it is a faze...my 20 month old still gives me a hard time too. This may sound simple but I just buckle the strap on the changing table, it makes it harder for him to roll around...then I can concentrate on keeping him entertained better...I also have a mobile above his table and he still likes to watch it. Good luck!

Hello S.,

My solution to this issue was two fold. First I told my son that if he did not want to lie still while I changed him, he could stand up/bent over to be changed. The second part was that if he chose to stand up, he would have to 'help me' wipe himself. It was messy at first, but I actually found out that this was a great transition to him cleaning himself up. Not long after he began standing to clean himself, he began potty training and wearing pull ups! Maybe this is your little girl's way of telling you she's ready to move to the next step.
C.

My son and I went through this. The only way I could do it was to put my forearm across his hips so he really couldnt move. He would cry, but just like any of the phases, it does go away. Sometimes he would be appeased if I gave him something new - phone, remote control etc. Of course, that just starts another bad habit! :)

I think this one happens alot! My daughter loves elmo since we watch Sesame Street almost everyday. She wears pampers and they have Elmo on the diaper. I give her an extra one while I change her diaper. This doesn't always work, so sometimes I give her a comb to "do her hair". Hope this helps but every child is different. It's another one of those "phases" that will pass soon, just be patient and she'll eventually get bored - hopefully ;)

Looks like you received a lot of advice. My daughter just turned one and going through same thing. Poop has gone everywhere.
When I know it is a poop I put an additional towel down just in case.
Anyway, couldn't read through all your responses but I always have items ready to put in her hands. Even just her diapers work. I also sing the A.B.C song and she stares at me and smiles. Over and Over until I am done.
But just try to keep puttin things in her hands. I even put wipes, diapers, and ointment tube (closed) when desperate.
Good luck

Hi S.,
This is totally normal and my 22 month old daughter started that too way back when. Try giving her something to play with, that helped sometimes for us. And we also started changing her on our bed with the tv on (mickey mouse clubhouse or wonder pets) on and that helped too. sometimes though we just had to change her standing up which isnt too fun. Good luck, she will out grow it.
C.

Hello -
See if anyone else who changes her diaper does it differently. Is she behaving the same way for them? I had the same problem when my son was a year old. For safty sake, I started changing him on the floor. At least he wasn't going to fall. Then I gave him a favorite toy, saving it only for diaper changes. It seemed to keep him occupied long enough for me to change him. Give it a try, it might work for your daughter too. Good luck.

I do have advice...I just went through the same with my 1 1/2 year old! When I set her on the changing table I first play peek-a-boo or where's your belly, or some other silly interaction before I start to change her. If I can prevent the initial "flip-out" when I first put her down, she will then let me change her easily.

Yes I had a similar experience with my daughter. Eventually she settled down. She is now 4 so that memory has somewhat faded. I think its just a phase. Good luck!

My 17 month went through that phase. I try to make diaper changing as fun as possible-singing, tickling, giving him his favorite toys, making funny faces. If all else fails...remember...this too soon shall pass!

so change her standing up. We did it all the time. have her bend over so you can clean her tushie then put the diaper behind her, pull through her legs and fasten.

My first thought is: does she have a rash that hurts when you wipe her clean? could she have an infection that hurts when she pees? Do you know who is changing her diaper when you are at work? Are they being appropriate with her or is she scared of something that happens when her diaper is changed? There are lots of reasons she could be upset, but she can't speak for herself except with her crying. Pay close attention to her and make sure she is ok. Good luck

Hi S.! My 14-month old is the same way, and man, she is strong! She cries, sits up and tries to stand, twists and turns, etc. What has worked for me in a combination of two things - singing/talking nonstop to her, and using my strength to keep her down! Something about my voice singing and not talking gets her attention for the short time I need, then when she starts twisting again, I use my forearm and elbow to gently hold her tummy down (it doesn't hurt her in the slightest, obviously I wouldn't let that happen) while I fasten the diaper. As soon as that diaper is on, I stand her up on the table and pull her shorts or pants up to finish. Just letting her stand for that part stops her complaining. Good luck and remember, eventually this will pass and you will be on to something new!!

I know that this isn't a very popular way of doing things.. but a small little wack on their behind will do the trick. Both my kids went through this phase... one wack and they settled right down. I never had another problem with either of them after that one wack. I really don't have the patience to sing and dance every time i change a diaper. Nor do i have the patience to change them standing up or on the floor. Neither child gets spankings very often -only when safety is an issue and i need to make a HUGE point-- so I think that the surprise factor here works wonders.

i have an 18 month old, a 2 and a half year old and one on the way....

I have the same problem with my ten month old son. It was really bad for a few weeks. I tried the toys etc and nothing really worked. I agree with singing- it works well with my son. I sing the same song every time so he now expects it and as soon as I hit the first note he stops his fit in anticipation of me singing. I also have long hair and at certain parts of the song I shake my hair on his belly, face, where-ever and he laughs. He still screams when being put down, but at least now he stops, unless he is very tired and then it is still a wrestling match. I have to admit that singing also helps keep me calmer when we battle, which in turn makes him calmer.
Good luck, it will get better.

Hi, they grow out of it, but in the mean time, we used pull ups, rip off and pull on standing up...good luck and always be ready with a clean shirt for you...

My 3 yr old son was like that off and on. I tried many things listed already - arm across chest; distract with video or mirror; give toys that were active to offer bigger distraction; moved to floor; let him help out some how.

But the things that worked best was to sometimes let him stand up. To wipe up poop really well, I asked him to touch his toes and do "piggies" - I use this approach during potty training now.

The biggest thing that made a difference - I CHANGED WIPES. Now no scented wipes ever. Also, when he was in a really squiggly phase, I used warm water on disposable hospital paper wash clothes. They are in most medial supply stores, very soft (almost as good as a baby washcloth, which I used too) no harsh chemicals at all, just warm water. The NICU nurses gave me that very useful tip for diaper rash times.

Also, I kept a very soothing voice no matter how hurried or harried I felt. Okay - I TRIED to keep a very soothing voice most of the time. I didn't want the struggle to look like a two way struggle (even though it was).

Just remember they grow up faster than you realize. Right now this is a big frustration for you both. But in the big scheme, it's a tiny bump that will hardly be remembered.

Hi: My seven month old has been similar for the past month or two. She is a very active baby and I think she just doesn't want to sit still for the diaper change. I have found that by really engaging her: smiling, talking, singing, giving raspberries on her belly, etc that it does help. Distraction is key. Hope that helps.
C.