Need Discipline Ideas

My son was also very active at that age and I also had a hard time with diaper changes...I ended up sitting on him backwards to hold him still. That way I could do it quickly by using both hands. He did not like it, but as time went I could say "I will sit on you" and he would calm down.

Good luck

Unfortunately, this is a stage that most kids go through. My oldest was horrible when it came time to get his diaper changed (he still objects occassionaly). My youngest has been in the kicking and screaming stage (14 months in a few days). At 18 months, you little guy is old enough to understand some language. Try telling him "in 2 minutes we are going to change your diaper" or buy a kitchen timer and set it and tell him that when the timer goes off it will be time to change his diaper. He will start to associate those things with diaper changes and it will likely get easier.
We did this with my eldest and it worked great. He knew what to expect and when. It also works great for when you are at the park or something else. I can now tell him 2 more minutes/2 more times down the slide and he understands that I mean what I say.
This phase will pass, try different things until you find out what works. Good Luck!

Hey there, B.

I did the same things the other ladies have suggested. Unfortunately, my little guy still kicked and screamed sometimes. What I did in those instances was 1) give him the time scenario having him choose when to be changed, 2) let him choose the spot, 3) give him a toy or let him watch a movie while being changed, and 4) when the kicking started, I'd tell him that the toy or movie would have to go away if he continued (while holding his feet/legs, etc). I would hold him until he either stopped kicking (after taking the toy) or, when possible, I would include Daddy in the experience and Daddy would distract him by talking to him or he would take the toy/block the movie, etc. until I could get him changed. Yelling didn't work for us either, but threatening to put the toy into time out or no movie, etc. really got his attention.

I read your question about potty training also and thought I would comment here, too (hope you don't mind). My son sounds EXACTLY like yours. We did exactly the same thing you are doing and tried the potty, but didn't start until around 2 or so. He thought it was cool at first but there was NO WAY he was going to go in the potty... unless it was accidental. He is now almost completely potty trained at 3 yrs. 3 months. He had to decide when it was time and it took a while to get him used to going in different places... at first he'd only go at daycare (first peeing, then finally pooping). We asked him all the time (to the point that he says "NO! I don't have to go Potty!!!" His favorite thing to do was say "not yet, maybe later" and then go in his pants. Pretty frustrating here, but we just kept up the positivity saying "uh oh... you had an accident" and he'd apologize so we'd say "it's okay, can you try to go potty in the potty chair instead next time?" to try to get his buy in. The next step was going at our house, then a friend's, and now he seems to be okay with going anywhere... as long as we catch the signs that he needs to go and ask (or tell him it's time to go potty and take him with us). He still has a bit to go before we'll go to big boy pants rather than the pull ups, but he's almost done! Good luck with that and remember that you are not alone!

You may try asking him if he wants the change now or in 2 min or something. Sometimes it helps to give a warning first and then to let him feel like he has a choice. Then when the 2 min are up, you can remind him that that is what he picked. Also, If he's screaming, try responding to him in a whisper. Sometimes kids will quiet right down to try to hear you.

lol... that's what God gave you four limbs for!! I use my toes to hold the upper arms down, you don't need a lot of pressure, I've never caused pain, just frustration, and have only done this when I tried tons of other options and am out of options. With the toes (NOT foot) holding the arms down, it gives you two free hands to deal with the wriggling. I would still sing or talk to them. It worked on all five for me and one rambuncuous daycare boy (WITH his mom's knowledge!).

yelling isn't going to get anyone anywhere in this situation...it is just going to get the parents upset with one another in the end.

my 15 month old does the same thing...I started to have a large pile of toys set next to us while I change him, we do it on the floor he lays in between my legs (kind of like a trap, I can move my legs to hold him in sort of...okay to slow him down) then everytime he moves I give him a different toy....when toys didn't seem to help

the things that do work are....

give him a cracker to munch on while your changing him...

OR---

the cordless phone..., now it is at the point where I grab the phone before I even think about my son...

a remote control...sometimes this works...

Do you give him a time warning? "In 5 minutes we're going to go change your diaper" and continue counting down from there.
Also, he may be worried about losing what he was playing with or missing a TV show. Make a special place for him to set his toy when you change him, so he knows he can get it right back when you're done. For TV, tell him you'll pause it or wait for the next commercial. You could also try a countdown for changing him "We'll be done in 30 seconds... 1... 2... 3..." Count as slow as you need to, and that will also teach him to count.

This is just part of having a toddler. I have a 17 month old and she is also quite squirmy. Yelling accomplishes nothing. We turn to laughter and acting silly. Anyway, what is the rush with finishing the diaper change quickly? Getting those extra few minutes won't make a huge difference at the end of the day. All of these experiences make up the memories you're going to have about raising your child. You might as well make them good ones, no?

My son sounds very similar. He started doing similar behavior around that same age. I've found that the 2 minute warning does help. But it has also helped to let him pick where he wants to be changed, and then use a pad or towel and do it there! He usually picks the same room he's playing in.

Good luck!

how about using the diapers that you can change him standing up?? pampers easy ups?? it is a stage, but maybe if he doesnt have to lay down he will like it better. i also like the idea of changing him wherever....let him pick the spot.