Recently my 9 month old will not lay still for a diaper change even if I give her a toy or a bottle to keep her busy. When i tell her no she just looks up and smiles at me. It's driving me crazy. Anybody have any ideas on how to keep her still while I do diaper changes!
Thanks, M.
I have to agree that singing works perfectly! I sing my son the ABC's and by the time I sing one or two times I'm done changing him and he is happy!!!
M.,
Welllll hate to say it, but start putting a potty chair where u change her most often... my oldest did this at about 11 mths and saw the chair and got up from changing to sit (even if nothing came) but it was enough of a distraction that she laid right back down to get the diaper back on.. (also introduced the potty training and all 4 were trained well before age 2 )
good luck
T.
When my son started this he was already eating things like crackers, so I'd always keep a stash of goldfish crackers at the changing station. It was the only time he got them, so he loved it. With my daughter, I had a 2-3 toys that she ONLY got to play with while being changed.
Another friend of mine installed her infant mobile over the changing table (the baby was too old to still have it on the crib) and that was enough distraction for a change.
Best advice I can really give - just try to be quick about it. It's a phase and eventually it will stop and she'll be good about lying down for changing again.
Hi M.,
Understand completely. My 21 month old has always been like that. I haven't found anything that works. Sometimes my 4 year old can entertain him long enough.
Chris
It doesn't always work- but helps alot: we get everything set in advance, diaper unfolded, wipes out. There is a drawer on the changing table where I keep things to distract him that won't get in the way- small toys he can hold in his hand, an old cell phone, calculator, a brush he likes. If he does sit up, I do my best not to react or make eye contact, just lay him back down and keep working. Try to change him as fast as possible. I have a friend that put a shelf over the changing table with a colorful lamp and then gives him a bit of milk in his sippy cup- that seems to help them. Good Luck!
My son does the same thing. We just make sure the wipes are out and the diaper is ready to go. I try to take his pants off and do what I can with him standing up before I put him down, then I give him a toy. It doesn't last long, but it helps a little.
Talk to her, sing some songs, anything that might get her mind off what's happening.
Also, the older kids get, the more resistint they are to change and transitions. Just think how you would feel if out of no where someone grabbed you, made you stop what you are doing for a diaper change? So the next time you have to interrupt her let her know inadvanced what is going to happen--communication is the key! You'll be amazed at the outcome!
Entertain her while you are changing the diaper, find what can grab her attention and work fast. each one of mine are different for some it was food, others a bottle would work, my youngest is the cell phone, and keep them handy when your changing the diaper. Know that doesn't always work, sometimes they just won't cooperate, and I resort to the foot over the chest and work super fast, my older kids will laugh cause they say it looks like some medevil torture LOL. Of course know that they are of age to change diapers and they do it, it is my turn to laugh at them. No one answer is right just be creative and know that they do grow out of....hopefully before they are potty trained :).
Sooooo in your boat! ...anxiously awaiting the great ideas to make my baby stay still, too!
~L.
The more u make a fuss the funner it will be for her.
Make sure you have every thing you need ready to go, and move quick, w/ no emotion on your face. Sorry to say, this is a phase that will repeat it's self many months from now.
right there with you cant wait to hear some responses. Good luck.
You just learn to work fast. and yes sometimes even finishing that diaper fastening upside down or on the move.
We just made sure that we had wipes laid out and the new diaper ready b4 we stripped the dirty one. Once you have them wiped off, the rest is easy.
My son is 15 months and has been doing this since he could roll over! He also won't stop the constant drool! I talked to my doctor about it and he laughed. He said he has a 2 year old that is still doing it! It's just a kids thing. Usually what I do it undress them before they get to the changing table. For example: If they are in a sleeper in their crib, I unzip it and take their arms out while they are standing up in the crib. If they took a bath I sit them up first and put their shirt on them while the rest is still wrapped in a towel, then I lay them down for the diaper and once the pants are over his ankles I stand him up to finish snapping everything and to pull the pants up. So instead of them constantly squirming, I am constantly moving them. He still likes to try and reach for the stars on the wall or whatever is on the shelves next to him but it's a little more controlled. My mom turns into a game with him and I've walked in with him crawling across the bed in his bare butt in the air! It's a kid thing and short of strapping him down and having him screaming...not much you can do.
Sometimes we say "no" too much, that infants (and toddlers) think it means "look at me". I use the word "STOP", said firmly with a serious look on my face. I teach boundries with STOP and other words like "Gentle" said slowly for touch nice. And "Pretty" for touching Christmas orniments or my earrings I am wearing. Mix it up a bit with your tone. Maybe that will stop her from flipping like a fish. Good luck, M.
