How to stop the diaper change battle???

Question

My 1.5 yr old hates to have his diaper changed.... it is an all out battle. I have tried toys to entertain him etc...

any suggestions?

Answer 1

He sounds ready to be a big boy now, try the toilet training now, sounds like he's giving you the cues you require!

If he's not, then do him standing up and use pull-ups.

Answer 2

Boys are always harder than girls to get them to hold still.
As a mom of 7 and the owner of a Day Care Center for several years I can speak with the utmost confidence. :-)

Not knowing your son's temperament or your's for that matter, it is difficult to suggest much, but you might try this.

1. If you are using disposable diapers place the clean diaper out ready and then place your son in his dirty diaper on top. Quickly undo the dirty diaper and pull it from under him. With a wipe already standing by just wipe quickly and do up the clean diaper. This doesn't take more than 1 min. to do.

2. Before you get your son on the changing table for a diaper change, start singing a song that he can repeat back to you.
Something like, "A is for apple all shiny and red"
Have him say "A, apple" Then sing it again. Anything that will take his attention away from where the diaper is usually works.

3. If you find something that does work tell your son that if he holds really still for at least a minute that you will give him a toy. Not a new toy just one that you have hidden for the past two weeks and he has forgotten about or give him a book with lots of pictures that he likes to look at.

The key word here is QUICK, if necessary practice on diapering and un-diapering until you have it down so that all you need will be about 1 min and the deed is done.

Answer 3

When she poops, I tell her that she pooped and she needs clean. I show her the wipe with the poop on it (gross, I know, but it makes her see that I am not just making her lay there for no reason). when she is done and diapered, we go to the toilet together and flush the poop. this helps her some.

When she is just wet, I just drop and change her wherever she is. I grab diapers from the diaper bag or run to her room and get one and just change her wherever she already is. She gets less annoyed this way because she does not have to completely stop playing. She just has to pause for quick change and then goes righ tback to what she was doing.

She HATES public changing tables (she is oddly terrified of them, I think it is the bathroom lights look like the hospital lights) so we use pull-ups when we are out, even though we are no where near potty training. I stand her against the wall (so she can hold on if need be). take off her pants and step her into the pull-up. I pull it up to her knees, then remove the old diaper/pull-up, wipe her, then pull up her pull-up. she is SO much more content to have this done when we are out and about and she never makes a fuss.

Answer 4

At this age they are beginning to be old enough to understand reasoning. Try a small reward system. If you want to stick with the toy thing, try allocating specific toys (new) that are interesting to him but that are only allowed during diaper changes or maybe after he has been a good boy during a diaper change. Does he like walks? Maybe try "If you are a sweet boy today and don't fight me with diapers then we will go for a short walk later today" or something along those lines.

Answer 5

My 18 month old is the same way, you just have to be patient with them and try talking to them and they will grow out of it. If the problem is worse (like a rash or something) try to be extra gentle. Also involve them in the process which should help with changing and potty training. Something like handing you the wipes or opening up the new diaper.

Answer 6

Well, be quick about it, don't give in and make it a game. Try the pull ups now because he is getting to the potty age. Sometimes the switch from warm diapers to cool pants when he wets, can make changing more desirable instead of sitting in cold pants.

Answer 7

that age can be tough, diapering wise. Have you considered using some sign language with your child? To sign 'diaper' you tap your four fingers to your thumb several times on both hands. To sign 'change' you make fists with both hands and tap them together at the knuckles, alternating sides. My daughter is 16 months and I have been using ASL for 8 months with her. When it's time to change her I saw "Let's change your diaper" and sign 'diaper.' They need to hear and see what you mean. Besides, how would you feel if someone grabbed you up from the floor where you were playing nicely and started taking off your pants!
Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Quit trying to entertain him and just do it. Put your foot down, be the parent and let him know that it is time to change the diaper, and you are not budging. Be consistent and tell him no, he cannot act that way. You have to be stern and firm or he is going to continue this pattern of getting what he wants and before you know it, you'll have a kid who has no problem with backtalking you and acting out.

Answer 9

try introducing the potty. tell him if he doesn't want to have his diaper change then he has to go like a big boy. and if he is not ready for the potty then you have to make him hold still while you change him.

Answer 10

perhaps you could try to get him potty trained, give him that as the alternative to having his diaper changed... might just be that he's ready for it now.