I am the mother of a beautiful 12 month baby boy. For the most part his behavior is okay, but when it is time to change his diaper he throws tantrums. As soon as we lay him down on his changing table or bed to change him, he starts crying, screaming, kicking his legs and turns around. It really is difficult to change him when he is in that state. At first I thought It was a temporary thing, but now it happens all the time. I try to give him little toys to keep him busy while we change him, but that does not last too long or at all. He either does not want the toy or he drops it on the floor after a few minutes as if he is bored with it. He really is a sweet lovable boy, but diaper changing time is quite the ordeal. Any advise you could give would be appreicated.
Mahalo to everyone who responded to my request. It definately is reassuring to know that this is just a stage that he is going through and is totally normal. I will implement the suggestions you all gave.
Mahalo Again!
Both my son and daughter went through this. My daughter is 21 months and just finally started growing out of it. It may go on for a while but will pass. My cousin had luck having her son stand up for diaper changes. Not very practical but he didn't throw the tantrums.
If you are not the only person who changes his diaper, you really has to find out of what i going on when the other person does it and try to find out when it started to happened, if he started crying is because someting is going on, you have to be carefull
My son started to do this too. This worked for me so maybe it will work for you too. I got him a toddler toothbrush and put the infant toothpaste on it and only would allow him to have it when I changed him. I would say "ayy yay yay" the sound he would make when he chewed on the brush and he would say it back. So as I was lying him on the changer I would say want your ay yay yay? and he would grab it and put it in his mouth and it keeps him busy for enough time to change a diaper. Hope it works!
Aloha,
yes, it is a phase. Both my kids, as babies, when through that. Most do. It will pass. Don't worry.
Just make sure, that when changing his diaper, since he is squirming around more, that you change him on the floor. If not, and you're doing it on something like a changing table or bed etc., they can fall off/roll off. This seems common sense, but it does happen.
For me, when this had happened, I changed my kids on the floor, using my 2 legs to straddle them, holding (gently) down their upper torso or arms, then QUICKLY changed their diaper. Or course, making sure you have everything you need right there.
Yes, they will scream, but it can't be helped. You gotta change their diaper. Also, sure you can say "just a moment..." or "No." or etc. But, they will still scream or squirm.
It WILL pass though. It's all about ages and stages. More phases will come up. Another phase my kids went through when a little older, was when it was time to change their diaper, they would RUN away... and run away... and they thought it was SO funny. It was hard catching them! They would laugh the whole time they were running away from me. Oh well. Stages and ages and phases. And it took time to actually catch them to change them... and especially took extra time if we were about to go somewhere and the clock was ticking away! LOL
Good luck, they all do this, it's common,
Susan
Hi ,
I have twins and I was having the same problem. I
read some where, maybe here to give them a sticker.
So, now I keep a sheet of stickers in the drawer and
when they lay done I ask them if they want a sticker
and they are so still waiting for it. It distracts
them while I change their diaper.
Good luck
T.
My 13-month-old daughter hates changing too, she just doesn't want to stop playing ever. Sometimes I change her while she is standing up, but for poopy diapers, this is impossible. I sometimes put a toy in my mouth and shake my head and make silly sounds to keep her attention on me. Also, an unusual toy like measuring spoons can keep her busy. Mostly, you just have to be fast, and try to keep a sense of humor about it.
I'm right there with you! My daughter tosses the toys too she prefers to hold (well...chew on) the lotion bottle, hairbrush or comb, hold a clean diaper whatever she's not supposed to have. The only other thing that really works is singing her a little tune, lullaby...whatever...sometimes I sing a little song about how difficult it is to change a sweet but feisty little girl! At least it keeps me humored. Give it a try...it just might work...at least long enough to change that diaper or clothes.
I've also heard that this is normal. I read about this as my daughter started throwing a fit at diaper changes at 4 months. She still hates them. If your boy can bare weight on his feet then try doing them with him standing. (Good training for really gross bathrooms.) You can also try moving the changing pad to the floor.
I always break out in sweat changing my little dumpling. Good luck & hang in there!
Hi,
Our daughter has ALWAYS hated diaper changes! Right now what works is her pacifier. Before we would try singing or counting or just surprise her with something silly to say or sing.
Good luck!!
Unfortunately I've heard this is a normal phase...and that it can sometimes last for months :(
good luck...but at least you know there's nothing "wrong"...one thing my daycare does is sing a "diaper changing song" every time the kids need a diaper changed...as they get older you can have them start to sing along, too...but the song as a routine seems to help calm the 12-18 month olds.
are u still breasting feeding? or using a bottle? i would have my son breast feed when i changed him..i just quit a week ago..he's 33 months..i just had to keep doing it b/c it was so helpful w/ changing his clothes and diapers..if you aren't ..you can hand him a bottle to drink or some good juice in a sippy..but don't lay him on the diaper table..they hate that..figure out how to do it with him on your lap or standing.
We went through this with our 11 month old. What worked for us was to mimick a diaper change with her favorite stuffed animal. We did it for about a week before every diaper change. She finally got the idea! Also, try giving him something he normally can't play with...like your watch or baby wipes... to keep him occupied.
Hi,
I seem to remember my son being really annoying with diaper-changing between 18-24 months. I just put up with it. It went away eventually!
:-) D.
Very normal!
I would lay my son on the floor and use my feet to hold him down at his shoulders. He;s 14 months now and still tries to squirm away every now and then but he has learned to stay still for the most part...finally! :-)
-Char
Totally normal!! Scary at times, but my son did it too. And, at two years old we have our moments. What I did is I made up a song, and dance that we now do together. It's funny how when Mommy makes a fool of herself anything is possible!! Toys didn't work for us either, and neither did other distractions. I ended up having to use the crib/bassinet as a changing table (ended up co-sleepers and it just sat there for months) alternative for safety reasons. Just have some patience and take it easy. A lot of the behaviors at this stage have much to do with independence and asserting their ability to do their own thing. Don't worry it will pass.
My son is 16 months and he started doing that around the same time as your son. I think it was right after he started walking. He doesn't like to be on his back and pinned down so to speak. He would rather be up moving. He's a little bit better now. I also give him toys to distract him, sing songs to him, etc. His changing table is by his window, so I also open up the blinds to let him look out. He also doesn't fight as much if I change his diaper in his playroom with all of his toys around and Elmo on the tv. Good luck!
When did this behavior start? Was it about the same time you went back to work? Have you observed his behavior with other people changing his diaper? Do you use a day car center, private home day care in another person's house, or in your own home? If in your own home, I would install a nanny cam. Usually a child reacts unhappily to a situation that is unpleasant and has been consistently unpleasant so the point that the chid is becoming hysterical. If you do not think that anything has been done to traumatize your child, then I would have a physician check him out for an organic cause. Either way the child is trying to tell you something. Sometimes as parents we just don't know the right question.
Pick a favourite tune. Do not make eye contact with your son (this was key for me). Sing the song over and over in a full voice while continuing the diaper change Worked for me with my daughter - Good luck!
I know this is kind of late...but just wanted to add my 2 cents. Both my boys did this at about 8 months and did this well into the beginnings of potty training. I became an expert at changing a diaper with them standing up. I also started using pull-up type diapers for this as it was easier to change them that way (except for poopy diapers, the process is pretty easy).
Hope this helps!
If theses things dont work...look into joint pain. My 3 year old grandaughter was just diagnosed with j.r.a. & it is in her hips...good luck
