9 Month Old Crys, Arches Back When Changing

No worries on this issue. I have 6 and trust me this is a stage they go though. Try giving him a special "changing time" toy that he only gets when you change him. It might keep his interest long enough to get the job done. Otherwise, try a travel wipes container for him to hold. Mine always loved holding those things. Good luck, 9 months is such a fun age

it's just a stage - promise! He's just gained some independence and when you change him he has to quit being independent. Try to distract him with a super cool toy that he only gets to look at while he's being changed. good luck!

My daughter started doing the same thing at that same age. She just turned 1 yr old and there's nothing wrong with her. She still does it. She use to LAUGH and SMILE when we change her but all of a sudden, she didn't.

Our solution - We give her something to play with, especially something that she can teeth on. The other thing we do is sing to her or make "silly talk" so she's distracted while we change her really fast. This is the same thing that goes on at her Grandparents' place (they watch her while my husband and I go to work).

GOOD LUCK!

Hey there, I saw your message about your 9 month old who does not like being changed. Whether it is a diaper or clothes. When it comes down to the diaper changing, give him a toy or somethign to get his mind off of the diaper change. But on the other hand, when it comes down to the clothes issue, instead of fighting with my daughter everytime I tried to dress her I would give her a piece of clothing and let her try and put it on herself. I would sit her down on the floor in just a diaper and let her try and figure it out. Most of the time she couldn't get the clothes on, but when she would start getting frustrated, she would look at me or whimper at me to help her. Then she would calm down a little bit a let me dress her. I felt this worked well for me, because I didn't have to worry about the arching the back and rolling around and actually in the long run it was good, because she learned to dress herself. It was frustrating at times because patience is hard to come by when you have little ones, but my daughter is now four and that is one issue that I have not come accross since then.

my son did the same thing for 6months its just a stage hes going through not all kids do it but i have 3 my two boys did it not my daughter. your fine. just try different things give him a toy or his bottel while changing him

D.,

This is a new stage in your baby's life. He is trying to assert himself. Baby's have so little control of their surroundings so once they are able to express themselves, they do so. It's normal and natural and will likely continue to present itself during various times. For me, my daughter now 16 months, will refuse to bend her legs to sit down in her car seat or even in her high chair. And before then when she was about 8 months old, she would refuse to bend to be placed in her baby swing. Even now, if she does not wish to be held down long enough for me to change her, she will try to sqirm her way off the bed. Its their way of saying "no" or "I don't want to". As long as he does not fall or hurt himself, everything should be okay. I just give her a toy to play with or something to distract her long enough for me to finish changing her; this will hopefully work for you. Good luck!
- T.

It sounds like more of a mini-temper tantrum b/c he was probably having fun playing and didn't want to stop to have a diaper change. Try prepping him by telling him his diaper is wet and you need to change it, then give him a diaper to hold or other "special" (aka diaper changing time only) toy or put a mobile that flashing lights/sings songs right above the changing table. That should by you a few months until he is standing/walking at which point you might want to try changing him standing up.

This is totally expectable at this age. He's throwing a temper tantrum because he doesn't want his diaper changed. The question is, is this 'expectable' behavior 'acceptable' to you? Will temper tantrums be accepted? It's time to introduce your 'daddy's not kidding' voice. Believe me they know exactly what is up at this age. Just because they can't speak doesn't mean they can't listen. :o)

Another thing to consider; This is not just an obedience thing 'you need to cooperate with daddy', but it is also a saftey issue. If he is wriggling about when you are changing a poopy diaper it is very easy for some to get on his hands, which is just a matter of time before it is in his mouth. Ingesting even a tiny amount of poop can make him VERY ill. Life threateningly ill.

Welcome to the long road of parenting. This is one of the first steps in teaching your little guy that he needs to listen and obey you. You know what is best for him and need to keep him safe whether he likes it or not. :o)

Enjoy your adventure!

I have a 9 month old daughter who does the same thing when I change her diaper, basically because she would rather be doing anything else than lying still. She also performs the same maneuver when I try to put her in the car seat. When I change her diaper, I call it 'baby rodeo'. Good luck, and put on your cowboy hat.

Hi D.-
I want to say that this is a stage. 2 of 4 nephews did the same thing at the same age. At about 11 months, one stopped doing it, and the other one, well- he is almost 10 months and it is kind of hit and miss. We just used the changing table strap to keep them in place along with a hand, and our bodies pressed against the side of the table to keep them from rolling off. It's a ridiculous struggle, but I really believe they grow out of it.
I hope this helps
-E. M

P.S> There was some great advice from other mommies- a toy to distract them- a pacifier- anything. My sister hands her son the bottle of butt paste =), clean of course, and I hand him whatever, including a spare diaper. Anything that they normally want and can't get too that is baby safe and will distract for 30 or 45 seconds to get that diaper off and a new one on is perfect. =)

sounds like it might be an ear infection lying on the back during an ear infection can cause a lot of discomfort. you should see your pediatrician. good luck

Does your son have diaper rash? Or bad poops? I know when my son has diaper rash (even just a red hiney) he will fuss when I start to wipe him and will try to crawl away. He also cries when we change him out of his day clothes into his jammies. My thought is that he knows when he gets changed he is going to sleep soon. Once he is all changed he is completely fine. Maybe it hurts when he gets wiped? Maybe the wipes are not sensitive enough for him and it stings or something. Honestly I think no baby enjoys getting in and out of clothes and as far as gettin your butt wiped.. cannont be all giggles you know? You can always call a nurse advice line from your local hospital or doctors office and ask about the way he throws the tantrum. If it looks like he can hurt himself it is always good to ask. Good luck!

Try handing him a little toy or something while you are changing him. It may distract him enough to keep him happy. Thats what we had to do with my daughter at this age! It will pass :)

Any history of reflux? Try changing him sitting up. It takes some practice but at least he won't miss seeing whatever is "more interesting" going on at the time.

You've gotten lots of good advise already and I haven't read through it all, but I wanted to add:

I had the same issue with my son around that age and had success with standing changes. (don't know if your child stands yet... even if he can stand with hands around your neck while on changing table). It made him feel like a big person to step into his little pants and everything.

Good luck,
T.

It's normal. They love to start fighting you about the diaper change. He'll be fine.

Sounds like just a stage. At this age when little ones finally get moving on their own there is way too much to see and do and not enough time to explore everything! Let alone being interupted by a diaper and clothing change. Have you thought of trying to change your little one right where they are playing? Good luck!

Dear D.,
It sounds to me like he's just throwing a little fit. And, it's really pretty normal. Some kids get really mad and others squirm away thinking it's a game. With my kids, I called it "the alligator death roll". My daughter was far more difficult than my son to corral for changes and getting dressed. It's one of those things you have to get a grip on though, literally, because the bigger they get, the stronger they get. It's pretty tough to reason with a 9 month old, but you have to be firm, try a toy or some distraction and get it through somehow that the more still they are, the faster it goes. If they hate it, fine, they better be still and just let you get it over with.
The other thing I was thinking too is that baby wipes can really sting a delicate hiney. If there was ever a diaper rash, they may be associating getting dressed or changed with that.
Your son is fine afterwards so I think it's just a tantrum. It's a chore that some babies really hate because they'd much rather be doing something else. Just wait....the day will come when he tells you what a drag it is to have to take out the garbage. It's just one of those things that has to be done. They can learn that concept fairly early on. They don't have to like it, but they still have to do it.

Best wishes!

Ahh, isn't this a fun phase?!? Not! But this too shall pass, given time. My daughter is 11 months old and will still do the same thing once in a while. The phase lasted about 3 to 4 weeks for us. They are on the brink of self-awareness and are so much more engaged. Stopping for a diaper change is not on their agenda at all.
Grit your teeth, mentally peruse your favorite curse words, and think of how cute he is otherwise.

If this is something new, it could be a sign of an ear infection. Normally infants will do what you are describing when they are laid flat on their back if they have an ear infection.

My twins both do the same thing, and are continuing to do so at 10 months. My doctor and books tell me they are no longer content to lie on their backs. I give them something to hold onto while I diaper them. This something that needs to keep their attention constantly changes. Usually whatever is in arm's reach and it can take two or three items before I get the one that will do the trick!

Totally normal stage, both my kids did this and now at 6 & 7 are totally well adjusted even-tempered kids. Couple of things I did during this stage.
1. Give child cool toy that makes noise with lots of colors, rings something to capture his attention. Put a mirror above his changing table so he can look at himself, hang a mobile above changing table.

2. If you are not at home, try changing him while he's standing...you can get good and fast at this with practice.

3. Strap him down on the changing table or if, you are on the floor, gently lay your legs on him without putting too much pressure so as not to hurt him.

.....my girl is right there with your boy! From past experience with my son....it lasts for about 3 months!

Hang in there and keep him safe. Distractions sometimes help. Sometimes talking to her and telling her what I'm doing calms her down. It will pass....It will pass! It's totally normal.

S.