Hi there-
Lately it has been almost impossible to change a diaper on my almost 10 month old. I guess it's just because he's getting older and doesn't want to sit still? He doesn't have any diaper rash (knock on wood)...he just wants to flop and when I try to change the diaper he cries and moves everywhere. I know this is a part of them growing up but does anyone have any tricks that worked for them? I try to give him something to distract him but sometimes he just wants to roll over with whatever I gave him. we are on the floor, no more changing table for us!
Thanks in advance!
You can try changing him when he's standing up. It takes some getting used to, and it's harder to check for a rash, but it's very doable. If your little wild man is standing well, he may just be insulted at having to lie down.
I have to change my daughter on the changing table only as well - but she is still pretty squirmy - I give her something to distract her attention - even something as small as one of the wipes out of the tub. She plays with it while I am changing her and she stays still through it!
toys! or something he can play with while he's being changed...and on the floor(I use a hand towel for the messy ones)I keep a basket in the living room it has diapers, wipes,a small towel, some plastic baggies on a roll and a back up toy...I grab the basket and then the toddler...also sending him to help by getting the diapers and throwing out the diapers...they love to help!
The only thing that worked for my son - and I really don't know if it will for yours - was to ALWAYS change him on the changing table only. We bought some of those wall decals (Thomas the Train) and put them next to the changing table. He loved them. He always wanted to point to the "choo-choo" and I just changed him really really quick. I usually kept a toy in each of his hands while changing him too.
But if I changed him on the floor he wanted to roll over and crawl away. Eventually it got so I could change him in the living room, but only if I changed him on top of the ottoman, never on the floor. Something about being elevated?
I think I did use the little strap that comes with the changing pad as an assistant to hold him down while I was changing him for awhile.
Mostly it is a phase that they all go through. I remember for awhile I was changing him on the floor with one leg over his chest, until I got the wall decals.
Good Luck, hopefully something clicks, but if not - this phase will pass, I promise :)
Hi Tahara,
My son began trying to squirm out of diaper changes when he was 6 months...and he continues to do it now at 14 months. I suggest playing a game with him. Since you need 2 hands to change, I'll either wave my hair over his face and then pull away like peek a boo, blow in his face or pretend to sneeze so loudly--this always works and he's in hyserics laughing. Another option is to put a toy in my mouth and then dangle it over him while he tries to grab for it and then I pull away or give it to him. These tricks have worked a while now....and then if that doesn't work, give him a diaper and a teddy bear and challenge him with diapering the teddy. also always works.
Please please please email me if you figure this out! My son is also almost 10 months old, and the most wonderful baby in the world. EXCEPT for diaper changes. Crazy rolling around screamfest. It's awful!
Seriously- keep us updated on what you figure out!
