19-Months and Refusing to Have Diaper Changed

This happens in my household except my daughter doesn't let my husband change her, and will let me. Our issue is he is the softy and I am the boss. I take the no fooling around, let's get it done approach. I lay her down give her a toy or something and just get the diaper changed, I don't let her up at all, I pin her down if I have to (Never hurting her though), and I just do it, she knows it will be over quickly and at that point she stops resisting. My husband however won't do that and she gets up, runs around, kicks him, the works.. Maybe this sounds familiar to you? Good luck with it though, it's just a phase, try to give her something to distract her. Again, good luck!

Hi Melissa, it could be that she's ready to start potty training. My neighbor brought her daughter over last week, she's 14 months old, and gives her the same problem, so she's been potty training her already and it's going well. Maybe that's it? Hope that helps, Lynsey

Hi Melissa...sound like you have a very strong, independent girl on your hands! Its normal and actually a good thing!I have an almost 5 year old daughter, a 3 year old son, and a 20 month old daughter. Both of my girls are much more strong willed and independent than my son. He is just plain stubborn! :-)

At this point, make change time fun....see if she can "jump" to the changing table (with your help)and let her pick the diaper. We use Pampers and mine always wants ELMO. Give her a little something as a distraction. Mine likes to blow her nose with a wipe. Books and small toys also work.

This will pass so "enjoy" it now! Good luck!!

It is a behavioral issue. She's telling you she's in control and trying to keep it. My daughter did the same thing at that age. She still tries it at age 23 months but all I have to say to her is "I'm not done yet" and she lays still until I am. I make sure when I am finished, I tell her "All done". That seems to be working.

Nanc

yeah, it's called the "I'm too busy to be bothered with the annoyance of having my diaper changed" syndrome...and my 21 month old son has a very bad case of it as well...that being said I have high hopes for recovery as all 4 of his older brothers made it through :) I am teasing and I hope not to offend...this a very normal part of toddlerhood....just another way our dearest little angels choose to asert their independance...this too shall pass! (and other than the real stinky ones, as long as they don't have a rash...why fight? I try to keep it to a simple routine...wake up in the morning=new diaper...get dressed=new diaper...wake up from nap=new diaper....poopy=new diaper...after bath=new diaper...I schedule everything but it helps, he knows when it's coming and we battle less).Goodluck and know, you're not alone :)

All 3 of my kids did it around that age and my 2 year old is still doing it. It is typical behavior. They are learning independence, & control and they have absolutely no control over this. There is nothing wrong with your child, she is just being a typical baby.

I alway keep 'untouchable' things around the changing table for those times when I absolutely need the baby to be still. Items such a baby nail clippers, digital thermometer, empty medicine droppers, my old tube of Lansinoh, etc. These are items my kids are just not privvy to, so when I hand one of these to them it stops them cold because it is exciting for them to finally explore these things that they couldn't have. Forbidden fruit - in a sense. After baby is changed, I take the item away, put it back where they won't get it and we go on our merry way . . . until next time.

A.

My 21-month old son is in this phase also, and this is what worked for me -

I bought Thomas the train window clings and put them on the wall next to his changing table. Now he is interested in the "choo-choos" on the wall and (unless he is really cranky) these keep him distracted.

Now we have fun and I teach him colors while changing him. I ask him questions like, "Where is Percy, the green train?" and praise him when he's right, and when he points to something else I say "No that is Harold, the white helicopter."

Good luck finding something that works for you!

Hi,

My 18 month old son is doing the same thing. I found if I give him a wipe and let him wipe himself first (ok when changing just pee but requires some quick hand work on my part when there is poop) then he lets me take care of the rest. I think it's a control issue and he is trying to assert himself as he gets older and learns to do more things for himself. (He also wants to put on his own shoes and socks and will not let me help him until he's tried for about 5 minutes himself!)
He, too, doesn't do it (as much) with his father and I think it's because I am around him more and controlling his day to day activities.

So, maybe try giving her a wipe and see what happens! Good Luck!

Hi Melissa,
Well I'm going to say pretty much like everyone else has, she's trying to show who's boss. They're not in control of much as this age but they sure are testing the boundries. Since it seems like diaper changes is something that they can kind of control (it is their body function) why not try.

My little one has been going through this for a few months! I now give her the choice, she can either go on the potty or we change her diaper. I've also tried the toy that only comes out when on the changing table. She gets to pick which diaper. All have helped, though there are days...Good luck!

~Kristal