Toddler Diaper Changes Miserable!

HI C. - I too have a 17 mos old that hates having his diaper changed- I have 2 older boys as well and cannot remember either of them having the tantrums he does when I change him! a friend of mine has the same problem with her son- so it's totally normal- I'll tell you what has helped us out a lot. Before I lay him on the floor to change him I pick him up and kiss his neck and ask for big hugs then lay him down ( the squirming starts) but I stay close to his face and kiss him and then I sing songs- ABC song or wheels on the bus- whatever your guys likes. It has helped tremendously! He can sense your stress and hostility- but while I'm singing I have a smile on my face and that lightens the mood for everyone - then I'm not so grumpy when we are done...I"m not saying it's still not a struggle sometimes- because it is- but most of the time it has made our diaper changing sessions a lot quicker and a lot less stressful. He is probably teething like my little guy and thier poops do hurt when they are teething. Try either balmex (takes the red away in one change) or beaudroux butt paste and use a lot. It's worth a try. Email if you have any other questions.
Good Luck
Nikki

I totally sympathize! My son turns two in a few weeks and I'm sorry to tell you, it hasn't gotten any better! The only thing that has been mildly helpful is using Pull-Ups that he can step into (doesn't really help with the poops because I still have to do those with him lying down). Then most of the time I can change him while he's standing up, which I think has some element of being a big boy that is appealing. They don't hold as much as diapers so I still recommend using diapers at night.

Oh, I know! It's like changing a diaper on a raccoon!
A couple of nights ago, I was struggling with it, and I needed the big brother to help entertain and dad to help hold him down. After it was finally done, my husband commented "They say 'It takes a village to raise a child' - it takes a village just to change this one's diaper!" And that's when the baby was in a GOOD mood! he was just wanting to squirm away and play.

Here's one technique I showed my husband yesterday as he was taking off the baby's shoes to change the diaper.
I'll keep the baby's shoes and pants on, and just lower them to the ankles. Then I can get a better hold on the ankles with one hand - I just grab the pants in a big wad and keep them from coming off. Toddlers can be so strong, (especially thier big meaty leg muscles) and it's really hard to hold both ankles with one hand.

I also think most changing tables are too high, and the floor (while better) is too low. You may want to try this:
I usually put a waterproof pad on my bed, and change his diaper with his feet towards me. Then sometimes, I can lean into him - wedge myself close so he can't do the kicks, which you really can't do on the floor. You can also get your face close to his, and make funny faces, blow on his belly, etc. (If you get in close, it makes it a lot harder for him to kick - he's gotten me in the gut a couple times when I wasn't paying close enough attention.)

Oh - one more trick - sometimes he likes getting up on a step stool so he can reach the bathroom faucets - I've found that's a fairly good way to clean up a dirty diaper. Although it's difficult (but not impossible) to put a non-pullup diaper on a standing baby.

For sensitive skin (especially any kind of redness), I've found that the Burt's Bees ointment works great - usually the redness is gone overnight.

And isn't it funny the crazy things you'll let your baby play with when you're trying to change a diaper that you'd NEVER let him have any other time? ("Here, honey. Play with this bottle of Lysol. No? How about this meat cleaver? Will you stay calm for 30 seconds if I let you play with that?")

Hi C.,

Oh, you're preaching to the choir! I know exactly what you are going through.

What has helped for us:

** diaper changes at the foot of the bed with a small sized trash bag under all of the stuff. The foot of the bed gives lots of room... and the trash bag protects the bed and is a 'catch all' for all the diaper changing stuff (makes for a quicker change that can be all wrapped up in one swoop).

** asking her to hold the A&D Cream for us

** hanging different things from the ceiling so when you really need a distraction, you can ask the child where is the so-and-so... and to point at it, wave at it, blow a kiss at it

** the BIGGEST help of all is having a TV where the diaper change is taking place. She always tunes into whatever is on TV as we don't have the TV on often, so it's a 'treat' at diaper changing times. She really watches closely and is subdued most of the time.

** when getting changed in the car, playing her favorite music and singing it with the diaper change helps

Anyway, best of luck to you. I know how completely frustrating and how completely DRAINING these diaper changes can be.

Take care,
D.