What Should I Do - Carrollton,TX

A. - this happens...it's a manipulation technique that babies use....they have learned that through crying or screaming - they can get their way....

When changing her? Just tell her "the faster we get this done- the faster we can get back to play" or you can give her something - even ask her to help...at 18 months - many kids, not all, like to help....they are walking and independent (or at least that's what they'd like to think!!) so instead of fighting over it....you have options...

1. you can make it fun - give her a toy or something to play with.
2. you can ask her to help...get the diaper, wipes, etc.
3. you can be firm and stay in control of the situation and NOT let the control be handed over to her...you can be nice and still be firm.

You can change her standing up. I've heard on this site that lots of toddlers do not like to have their diaper changed but are more willing if they can remain standing.

put a blanket on the floor and change here there.. dont want her squirming off the changing table if she hates it that much.. but let her cry because she needs to be changed so she doesnt get a rash.. i know it is hard, but you will get into a routine that works for you and your daughter.. (hope that answers your question) :)

Put those travel changers on the floor and change her there. The travel changers come with the baby bags and I think you can buy them separate. It's good for you to pick her up and reassure her, in my opinion. You don't have to completely cut that part out. When she firsts starts to cry and scream (before it gets out of hand) tell her It's okay Jayden, when mommy is done changing you then you can play. Reassure her she will be able to go play in a sec, she may just not want to stop playing. Sing to her, make goofy faces, silly talk.

If you notice she hates changing tables, don't use them. I bought my daughter a changing table when she was born and it holds her shoes haha. She did not like being contained in a changing table (the rails)... that is something else to think about changing her on the floor. She may not like feeling contained on the changing table.

This is just one of many times that you have to realize, mother knows best. If she didn't want to hold your hand in the parking lot, and cried, would you just say "well, at least she feels better walking on her own?" NO, you would say, I have to hold you or you have to hold my hand, it's dangerous. Well, a diaper change may not be dangerous, but it's just a small amount of time needed to do what is right to keep her bottom healthy and no diaper rash! So, just lay her down. Since you know she gets upset, I'm betting you get upset too, and maybe she picks up on that. Try talking her through it. "Jayden, it's time to change your diaper! Mommy is going to do it real quick. I bet I can do it before we can say the ABC's! Let's see! Ok, I have the diaper, ready? A, b, c, d, ..." keep it all in a sing-song voice, work as quickly as you can, and sing to her during the process. Some other tricks...make sure you have everything you need...diaper, wipes, ointment, before you get started. Try putting a mobile or mirror on the wall by the changing area so she has something to look at. Give her a board book or some other small toy to play with while you change her. What about a different location? I never had a changing table, so I changed my kids on the floor most of the time. Would that be less intimidating for her? Hang in there!

Have you tried giving her a favorite toy or some kind of lovey? My son calms down if I hand him a burp cloth, if only momentarily. If you are at home, you can always lay a changing pad or blanket on the bed or floor. If you are out it is a little more tricky, but you can change her in her stroller if she is in a stroller that reclines all the way, or you can change her on a seat in the car. Good luck!

My son (14mths.) became terrified of changing tables (the fold down kind in public RR's) several months ago. IDK why...he is just plain scared.
I have taken to changing him in the car on the passenger seat while we are out and about.
For some reason he feels more secure there even though he rolls about more.
At home we just use the floor.
HTH!
ETA: Oh yes! Cuddles are good! :)

She may be crying and screaming because she doesn't want to stop playing, running around, etc. So uncomfortable only in that she doesn't want to stop to do something as boring as have her diaper changed ;-)

If you can give her something to play with that she only gets when she gets changed, sometimes that helps. When my daughter was little I hung a small hand mirror (securely stuck to the wall) at eye level for her when she was laying down to get changed. Helped a LOT.

The only times I have changed my 20 month old son on a table, was when we were out and about. Other than that, he and I were on the ground. Give her something to distract her and tell her a minute before you change her bum what your about to do, then 30 second, then say hey it's time to change your bum. This way if she is having fun playing she will start to learn what the words "change your bum" means and doesn't have a negative connotation.
Best of luck!
Oh and just because your a teen mom, doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong by picking her back up and cuddling her. In fact, I think that is what you should be doing. You don't want bum changing, or potty training a negative activity. :D

Cheryl O has the right idea. My wife was a teen mom for our first.

She learned over time. If you give into the crying and screaming, you will teach your child that they can get their way by crying and screaming. At 12 to 18 months, its understandable. At 12 to 18 years, its deplorable.

"What you are to be you are now becoming." Its true for kids and adults. How do you want them to be?

Good luck to you and yours.

Try giving her something to play with like a spoon, toy, anything that she can't harm herself with if you take your eyes off of her or tie a mobile or balloon on a string over the changing area so she can look at it.

I never used a changing table. But whenever we would go anywhere and have to use them my son would hate them. He would scream and cry because he was scared. Soo I just changed him on the bed or even the floor. She might just have a fear of falling and doesnt like being up so high. Just try changing her somewhere else.

I think this is about the age I started doing changes standing up....actually it's easier. Good luck!

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When you're at home or in someone else's home, change her on the floor. I used to change my daughters on the floor or the couch or the ground outside using a portable changing mat. If we were out at the mall then we used the changing table and it was non-negotiable, but I would try timing it with a bottle of water or some cold milk or I'd have a favorite toy to play with.

Sing a song she likes, that is long enough to last through the whole diaper change. Tell her its the holding still song, and that when it's over she gets to wiggle all she wants.

Can you do it while she stands? I've been doing stand-up diaper changes since my 17 mon old could stand. And before that with my older DS. I do like to have them lay down since the diaper fits better. But, sometimes it's too much trouble to walk them all the way to their room or to take them away from something really interesting. After you've mastered changing them while standing, you won't be up the creek if you're ever in a place that doesn't have a changing table.

I hear you but just get down to business and get it done. Hand her a toy or hold her down, whichever works best, but they all do this and it is pure manipulation. If you give in now, you will pay for it the rest of her teenage life ;)