Diaper Changing Struggle

My son is 9 months and changing his diaper has been a struggle for the last two months. Sometimes I get frustrated and I take it out on my husband because he wouldn't help me. Now I lay him on the bed (or floor with a pad) and pin him down with my feet across his armpits and shoulders. He also hates sitting still to get dressed so I take it in stride and dress him as fast as I can! Sometimes, when my husband is home, he will help me out. Make it a team effort!

My son went through this phase. The first thing I did was have him stop wearing pants when we were at home, because that was one more layer I had to struggle with. I put those "babylegs" leg warmers on him, so his legs would still be covered.

Then I got really good at changing his diaper while he was standing. I would even change his diaper while he was standing and playing with something--he often didn't even realize what I was doing.

For when we needed him to lay down, I gave him a ball of twine to play with. We only gave it to him at diaper time, and it kept him enthralled.

Good luck!

I know this isn't ideal, but for the messy diapers, I would give my son a really special treat (cookie, etc.) while I changed him. It worked, just make sure the treat lasts as long as the diaper change! He's 20 months now and just started to mellow out with the diaper changing.
Good luck!

I used to have the same struggle and would give something to my son and he too would throw it or whatever. I learned to give him something at diaper time that he doesn't get to play with any other time, just when being changed. Another trick as he gets older is if he wants to do something do what is called firt-then language. First we need to change your diaper, then we will read a story.

Hope this helps.

This might sound crazy but my daughter started calming down when started letting her wipe her own butt! I always clean her first (mommy's turn), then I let her grab a wipe and wipe herself for a minute (her turn). Your son is potty training age soon anyways, I'm sure he observes how parents go to the bathroom - you may give it a try.

Hi T.. I can relate, although it's more with clothing changes with my daughter. The great advice I received was to get a really great toy that he can only play with during changes. It worked wonderful for my daughter.
Good luck!

I have the same problem with my 1 year old and have had luck with using a helium balloon as a distraction. We got one of those long-lasting helium balloons and tied it to his changing pad. He is so fascinated playing with it that he actually is still for a while. I don't know how long it'll last, but it works for now. Just be careful if you try it because balloons are also a choking hazard.

I used to work at a daycare in college and I always gave the kids who were not so fond of diaper changes a toy to play with when changing their diaper. It doesn't have to be anything exciting...sometimes a lotion bottle even works. I use the same technique with my son who is 10 and half months old and it works wonders! Good luck!

I've never tried this, but my friend swears by it. She changes her daughter on a changing pad on the floor. She puts her legs straight out in front of her with her daughter's arms under her legs. She doesn't have to use any force, just having her legs on top is enough. She says her daughter lays still as can be with no complaints.

Hello T. I can relate my son is going to be 1 year in a week and he does the same thing almost. Plus I had kn ee surgry a month ago and he kicks it all the time. What I do is give something of mine he really likes. I have a cell phone and he tries to get it all the time so when its diaper changing time he gets that or I let him play with the wipes lid or a bottle of lotion in a funny container. I'll also sing loud or whisper and he just is in shock he freezes or laughs. I hope something helps.

have yo tried to get rid of the diaper and potty train him?
Maybe he is ready.
If hea actually hates a wet diaper, would it be an option to let him sit in it longer so that he is wanting to have it changed.

If you get him changed, and he is fighting the getting dressed, relax...go get a bowl of ice cream (one small scoop) and sit at the table to eat it. He wants to join in..fine if he is dressed atthe table. He will nedd to get dressed, does he need help with his pants? maybe this will work for a little while.

Our son just turned one and we are having the same issues! My husband and I actually change/clothes him together when we are home-he distracts and I change. However, even that is challenged sometimes. We have in a way given in. He has a shelf above his changing table and he insists on standing while we change him, (getting him to lie down-he just rolls over and pops back up), so we put toys on the shelf and he stands while we change and clothes him. At night for bedtime I sit on the floor, put his bottle and a toy on the ottoman and he stands and plays/drinks and I change and put his jammies on.

It sounds hard, but once you get the hang of getting the diaper on while he's standing it's pretty easy! Plus it has mades for far less tears and struggles.

My now 29 months old son....not even close to be ready to potty train and HATES getting his diaper changed. He just doesn't want to stop moving! I had also tried the distracting item and had it chucked at my head. I have bruises on my legs from him kicking me. But I just found the solution this past weekend. I had to change a stinky poo while at a family gathering, so I took him up to the changing table that was in the babys room.... and to my surprise he held still! I took down our changing table at home about a year or more ago... but yesterday I started using it again. Its working very well so far, no fighting, no throwing, to screaming and best of all neither of us are crying! If you still have a changing table give it a try or just try using the big mat that is contoured and had a buckle! Best of Luck

I mastered the art of putting a diaper on my daughter while she was standing up. She didn't want to take time form her 'busy schedule' to have a diaper change and would throw a fit when I layed her down. I soon realized that she would let me do it as long as she was standing up! Sometimes I do have to lay her down to wipe but then I let her stand back up again. We've also been using the potty (she's 17 months) as a distraction. She loves the feeling of 'importance' like she's doing big people stuff.