What are some tips to help diaper changes go a little easier???

Question

My 10-month old is so squirmy, it is so hard to change his poppy diapers sometimes. Yesterday he rolled and got poop all over his feet and legs. I use the straps and try toys...etc. He can roll even with the strap. I try to be firm and tell him no each time. He always wants to play with the wipes. Today I put him on the floor and held his arms with my feet and it seemed to go a little better (i.e. he wasn't wearing poo afterwards). Does anyone have any tips??

Wow these are all great ideas. I shudder to think this will still be going on in a year.

No, I don't let my kid play with a poopie diaper...I throw it away but he grabs his poopie butt or rolls over before I wipe it.

Answer 1

Our 8 month old is having this same problem. Things are getting better, though, because we have tried these things:

1) Definitely something to play with helps.

2) BEFORE you want to change the diaper, you need to "prep" for the diaper change, and let them know you are going to do it. This is called "transitioning" in childcare lingo. Give them a "cue", somehow, and always do it the same everytime. For instance, say, "Baby, let's do diaper!" (what we say-- just keep it short and simple). And we sing the "about to do the diaper change song" (Diaper girl.. diaper girl... Diaper girl! (kind of like the "batman" theme:)

3) It's really frustrating, having to say no and stop and fight with your kid. You don't want to be negative or have so much stress. Our babysitter told us what she does, and it's working. Instead of yelling No, try "Wait." The sign for "wait" is two fingers together held up. We say "wait, please" and try to reinforce that. It also works with when we have to put her in the crib for a minute or when we're making a bottle or getting the food ready.

4) Realize that the kid is doing this because it's getting a reaction from you. At this point the kid doesn't really discriminate too much between a positive reaction and a negative reaction-- it's more the STRENGTH of your reaction. (When it goes easily and well, you just relax and are quiet, right? But when he squirms, you really get animated and agitated...) He can tell he's getting to you, and the longer the diaper change lasts, the longer he gets to interact with you and have your undivided attention. Virtually all your kid's behavior is just for one thing: he wants your interaction. So, when he sits still and it goes well, you need to have an even bigger positive reaction. "Wow, that was really great! You sat still! Thank you! You helped mommy!" (Hug, kiss, etc.) I got good results with this one.

5) Eye contact, if you can get him to make it in the first place.

6) For awhile we had to change our kid's diapers standing up, because that was all we could do, she is so strong and insistent. Let him hold onto something and do it while he is showing how well he can stand up and balance. This is working for us.

Answer 2

I always give them something to play with even if it is only a baby wipe and I have picture above my changing table. Some kids though in all honesty just don't like to be changed.Do you have an old cell phone that he could play with while changing? Or maybe you could change him in front of the TV. There are so many things you can try and you will just have to see what he likes.

Answer 3

When my son started that at 10 months old we used toys to get him to stay put. But we had to have a supply of toys nearby to figure out which one would work for us each time. Now he is 2 and recently that method has stopped working. He positions himself so it is impossible or fights us. And if we can manage to get the diaper off, he won't let us put the clean one on. I dread the poop each time.

Answer 4

nicely, I truly have a new child female descendant. She's a touch better than a month now. i became very annoying interior the begining additionally, although this is mom's instinct. yet in basic terms for advice, continuously do front to decrease back, yet additionally to the factors. Poop is fairly frustrating on a lilttle female. and additionally gently interior her lips. once you're doing this, you will desire to get a clean wipe, or an area with out poop on it. And specific, do placed a towel or something absorbant below her. merely like boys, ladies additionally do pee while changing them. this is the coldness of the air, or the wipe that motives it. yet do no longer rigidity approximately it, it will come to you. And if something, ask a nurse to illustrate on the thank you to do it right. solid success, God Bless, and Congrats!!

Answer 5

Give him a favorite toy to play with.
I put toys in an old wipe container and let my son pull the toys out while I was cleaning him up and it worked like a charm

Answer 6

My nine-month-old holds the wipes - she also tries to eat them, but at least her hands are occupied. I also have a "diaper song" I made up (silly, huh?) that she seems to like, especially when I really put some showbiz into it ....

It's amazing how fast those little hands can move, isn't it?

Answer 7

If you press his legs toward his chest it makes it harder for him to roll around. I have also had to use my legs to keep my son from going all over the place. A lot of the time I just made noises like a machine pulling his legs up and down to keep him cracking up just long enough to get him clean.

Answer 8

We give our daughter a baby wipe to play with and talk to her to keep her focused on us and not the diaper. This has worked with her and her sister very well.

Answer 9

I give my baby a diaper to hold onto while I'm changing her. I also sing the "hokey pokey" song. She must like my facial exspressions because she holds still for me most of the time.

Answer 10

I had the same problem. I would always give my daughter a wipe to play with. Now that she's potty training, she now tries to use the wipes to wipe herself just like she's always had done to her.