Difficult Changing

When my daughter started fussing at the changing table we decided to get a changing time only puppet. I would lay her on the table and "Mr. Bear" would crawl up from the side of the table (I used a goofy voice and would have him crawl up her legs and give her kisses. I would then let her hold mr bear and have him talk to her in the goofy voice. When we were done mr bear would crawl down her legs and kiss her feet and say goodbye. Worked GREAT!
Now when she is playing we change her diaper in the floor, in her playroom...she doesnt feel like shes being taken away from her playing.
I hope that helps, good luck.
T.

I think they all go through this, so take heart. When my son did this, I stopped using the changing table since I was so afraid he was going to fall on the floor and hurt himself. I started changing him on the floor. This way, if he rolled around he wouldn't be likely to hurt himself.

You're doing the right things trying to sing, etc. He's just going through a stage. I would do things like, when I pulled his shorts or pants off, I'd playfully toss them on his head. This sort of distracted him into a peek a boo type game sometimes. Or if there's a toy he's playing with, bring that along. Another thing I did was to change him standing up (pee diapers only), and this way he'd just go about doing whatever he was doing with little interruption from me. This may work for you if he's cruising/walking.

He'll probably stop doing this soon enough. Good luck!

Buy some pull-ups. If he is just wet, you can change him without laying him down.

I have twin boys, 22 months. They have been just like that since they were about your son's age. And they are really big and strong so it can really be a chore. Singing does not help for us. Sometimes I can talk them into being a "good boy," sometimes giving them something to play with helps, but most of the time I have to do just as the other mom said; I tuck their legs under mine (all the way to the knees) and if necessary I tuck their hands under my legs too. I have the diaper all ready before starting so it can go as quickly as possible. I know they are just trying to control their surroundings and they will grow out of it as they learn to talk. Have patience and take lots of deep breaths! Just think, you could have two of them!

I could have written this request myself--word for word!!! Thanks for asking for advice on this one, A.! What's crazy for me is, I'll say "diaper change!" and my son will stop whatever he's doing, walk all the way across the house to his room where we do the changing, but then scream and try to flip over once I start changing him! What a silly pants! I'm going to just get it done however I can and pray it is a phase as the other mothers promised! Good luck to you!!!

My nephew did the same thing and you'd have thought the act of changing his diaper or his clothes was hurting him by how much he was screaming. It was a phase that he eventually grew out of. I agree that it's because he's trying to tell you that he doesn't want you to stop what he's doing. He's just asserting his control where he can.

My 9 month old daughter is doing the same thing and she is driving me nuts!! I cant really offer much advice, but just a little sypmathy and understanding:) But I do know with 3 others, that they will outgrow it, so let us just hang on until then!! ~A.~

Hi, A.!

I used to sing the Hokey Pokey Song when we changed my son or got him dressed. He loved it! And I could use it for other things, too, like diaper changing: "You take the right tab off, etc."

He STILL remembers that, and he's 5! lol Even though it seems it may take a little longer, it takes less time than a tantrum or struggle...and LOTS less frustration. :)