My 14 Month Old Hates Getting His Diaper Changed

Thanks for asking this. My son is the same age and I am having the same EXACT problem. It's such a pain. I've gotten more poop on myself lately that I ever have before. UGH.

I am a grandma and my grandson went through this recently. It lasted a long time, but he finally got over it. You pretty much have to hold him down and put up with it. A little swat on the behind and a stern "no" lets him know you mean business. Changing on the floor, where you can put a leg over his legs so he cant kick helps.

We always open up a diaper and put it on his head and tell him to wear his hat. He's 18 mo. old. Since he knows that diapers go on his bottom, he thinks this is about the funniest thing ever. We do this while he is laying down to get changed. It keeps him happy and a bit more pliable for his change. Also, gives his stuff, a chance to breathe while we play with the new diaper. Shannon G.

D.,

Not sure if this will be useful to you or not but I went through a similar thing with my daughter who is now 20mos. old. Right around the 15-16mos time frame she started to really put up a fight when it came to anything that might restrain her, ie. diaper changing, carseat, highchair. I just battled it out with her and tried to complete the job as best as possible despite her protest. After a few weeks of persistence on my end, she finally gave up the fight. Perhaps your little guy is starting a similar phase? Regardless of whether it's a phase or not, I think that consistency is the key. You shouldn't have to change to pull ups just because you can't keep him still, be persistent, show him what to expect (a mom that won't give in) and he will eventually give up the fight. Perhaps you can start to involve him in the diaper changing process, like giving him a diaper wipe to play with or let him hold the clean diaper while you get him undressed (my daughter likes to look at the design on the front), then he can hand it to you when needed, clap when all done, etc? Sometimes involving the kid in a task is a good way to make it seem fun. Also, warning him before you wisk him away from playing might prepare him, he might think that you are punishing him by removing him from whatever he was doing iun order to change his diaper.

I assume that your child is walking, and if so, that is why he is hating the interruption of his mobility.
My 15 month-old grandson is the same way, because he wants to get up and go!
I remember putting cloth diapers on while the child was standing up from time to time because of this very issue.
Otherwise, you just have to be quick AND strong when they are at this stage.
Get all the stuff ready BEFORE you lay him down.

It's just a phase. My 2 yr old did the same thing. It got so bad my mother was worried that something else was wrong. It lasted about 2 mths or so and was awful! Most of the time it took 2 people to change him. I promise it will pass just be patient; very patient! The most we could do was before we changed him was to explain what we were doing and why just like an adult it worked, eventually. S. - mother of 3 (& one on the way)

Pull-ups work wonders. We had to start using them when our son was around 12 mos. So, I think you're lucky to have gotten as far as you did. :) Only my son would kick me as hard as he could. It was a lot easier with the pull ups because I would have to lay him down to take it off and clean him up but he like being able to get up and step into his "big boy" pants. Good Luck. :)

Most babies hate diaper changes around this age and most grow out of it. It's not an indication that they are ready to potty train. Yes, you might be able to get him potty trained but at this young age it's more than likely >you< being the one trained (to take him at regular times, watch for signs, etc). There are exceptions but if you start now it may very well be 6-8 months or longer before he's actually trained --- which is when he can tell on his own he needs to go, he gets to the potty in time, he pulls down his pants, he pees or poops, he wipes, he flushes, he pulls up his pants and then he washes his hands. I don't know of any 14 month old that can do all that on his own!!

Anyways... when all our kids reached this age we switched over to the pull-up type diapers. That way they could just stand for the diaper changes. At 14 months, most kids have just gotten VERY active walking and running and the last thing they want to do is lie down on their back for 2 minutes. Try the pull-up type and see if it helped. After a couple months, we switched back to normal diapers (a little cheaper) because they are little more tolerate of diaper changes -- as long as they FAST.

All our kids started to tell us, on their own, when they had pee'd or poop'ed in their diaper around 18 months so that's when we started potty training. It only took a month before they were completely potty trained - meaning they did everything on their own.

This is so my son! He is 18 months old and he absolutely hates it too. I actually just posted something asking advice on potty training my little one. I really dont have any suggestions other than trying to distract him, which sounds like you have tried that and so have I. It is just a battle for me as well there are times when I do have to hold him down. Just wanted you to know your not alone!

I went through the same exact issue with my son. I started getting him involved with the process by handing him the diaper and gently preparing him for the diaper change. I would try to get him involved and make it as pleasant as possible. My son is now 18 months old and he is out of that phase... Thank God!

Good luck to you!

Hi Deannna,

I am certainly no expert in the are but I have heard friends say that they changed to pull ups cos it was so much easier to have the child stand and change the diaper quickly as opposed to trying to lay them down.

Now, pull-ups cost more, but if it makes your life easier, then it may definately be worth it. :)

Why don't you try potty training? If he doesn't like the diaper teach him how to go on the potty and give him big boy underwear. I started training my son at 16mo's, he was trained at home within 1 week, wore underwear at home and wore pull-ups when out until he was at 18mos. He liked to climb and take his diaper off so we used a small seat(Elmo on it soft and sturdy) that fit on the toilet and an kiddie style step stool. He loved the fact that he could climb up, not wear his diaper and be in some control(although it was on my terms). We did 3 days of going no where, no underwear but wearing a longer t-shirt(to cover him up), playing games on the tile floor, fun picnics with saltier foods(don't ruin good eating habits!), juices and lots of trips to the potty(every 30 min). We rewarded him for every little drop! He wore a daiper or pull-up at night until he was about 2 then was dry at night all on his own. He might be one of those cases where he could potty train early....it's worth a try! If that doesn't work don't get discouraged and trying to potty train him won't hurt him if he doesn't learn. Either way be consistent and insist that he has to wear his diaper---stand firm as a mom who doesn't give in. He will eventually learn that you are mom and mean business. Pull-up are costly so I would use them sparingly and as a last resort.

My daughter also does not enjoy diaper changing time. I give her a wipe and she cleans her face and sometimes helps me wipe her hiney so she is distracted and holds still and feels involved. That works for us and hopefully it will work for you too!

i have two fo them boys. lay him on the floor and put one leg over his stomach and hip bones so he can not turn over. he will hit your legs with his hands. i just ignore. i don't give them anything, they will just throw it. mine does all the time. so i don't

I use videos now when I need to change my son's diaper (when I can). He likes to watch and doesn't mind getting his diaper changed, clothes on and off, brushing his teeth, combing his hair, etc. Not too sure if your little one is into videos yet, mine didn't like them til about 2 months ago and he is 19 months now. He doesn't watch the whole thing, but it works for the amount of time I need to get his diaper and other quick things done.

This may sound a little odd, but I put a changing pad on the floor and put my feet at his armpits (gently) and then he can't move. I have done this with all 3 of my kids and it works like a charm. No wiggles, no stress. Hope this makes sense and helps.
K.

Hi D.,
Have you tried potty training him? I know it is early, but this might be a good time to try. Mind you, none of mine held still for diaper changes and I did not try this, but now wish I had! I just wrestled with them and learned creative ways to get a diaper on and off. You can give him the option of going on the potty and wearing big boy pants (aka pullups) that he can do himself or being cooperative while you change him. Some children are easier to potty train early than they would be later. Another thought - is he now aware of and perhaps afraid of heights? (I assume you are using a changing table.) You could try a changing pad on the floor and see if this makes a difference. (I remember a child in the nursery at church that had to be changed on the floor for that reason.) Good luck...I hope you find a solution better than I did!

I give my son his pants or a burp cloth or something and we play peek-a-boo. He also thinks it's fun to try to pull his socks off while I'm changing him.

One of the things we have done is playing a counting game during the diaper change. For instance, we sometimes will sing "One, Two, Buckle my shoe ... Three four, shut the door..." etc. during the change. For some reason, counting seems to work well. We also have given her a book to look at while we change her daiper. The book has flaps that she has to lift up, which seems to keep her entertained.
Good luck!

I was a preschool teacher for the 12-18 month class. The children seldom enjoyed leaving the class activity/playtime to recieve their diaper change and many would yell, kick and try to get up. We found that having 1 toy (for us a mulit-colored preschool flashlight that shined various colors onto the ceiling/wall) was the best way to entertain them. The trick is to only make this "special" toy available during diaper changes.

Does your little one have a favorite song? Sing it to him while you are changing diapers! (and if you don't think you can sing - who cares! Your little guy doesn't!) It really helped me during diaper time.

Welcome to mothering a 14 month old!!!
My daughter and son (who will be 10 soon) both did the same thing. My daughter is 20 mo. old now and still does that.
After speaking to the pediatrician about it, I was told that it is their way of beginning their independence.
It's not their idea to have their diaper changed so they get ticked off. That, and they have to sit still for the minute it takes to have their diaper changed...

I go at it like this: It's my job as a mom to change her diaper, even if she doesn't like it. This will not be the first time I have to do something out of motherly duty that she doesn't like eiter. So, I sing the ABC's to her or give her a small book (one that will not hurt her if she drops it on her face while reading it laying down!) and go about changing her diaper as quickly as I can.

I'm showing her that mom's boss and even though she doesn't like what is going on, it has to happen. She can kick, squirm and scream all she wants. I still have to change her diaper. If she throws the book or ignores my singing, I still continue about my duty, give her a kiss when I'm done and then let her go about her business.

She will more than likely outgrow it. Until then, just do what you have to do and do it quickly as you can! Good luck!

I have had seven children and each one had their own little ways about them. Several as I recall didn't like diaper changing time but you have to be firm enough with them and constant to get the job done. I would either sing a favorite song with them or a favorite toy.

I had this problem too. I tried a combination when I changed diapers. First I had a few toys that my girls were only allowed to play with when we changed diapers. Then of course I would sing favorite songs (the itzy bitzy spider on the tummy, head and shoulders knees and toes etc.) that would entertain them. If that didn't work I would apply a very small swat to the behind, not hard but enough to get their attention and would say in a firm voice "No, you need to lay still" They would cry for about 30 seconds then we would go on singing songs and playing with toys. They are just so used to moving around that they think they can do this anytime. It is a good thing to start teaching your son that there are boundries and Mommy knows what they are. If you stay consistent he will be laying still and enjoying the time.

Good luck.