10 Mo Old Antil Diaper Change!

Updated on November 24, 2008
E.B. asks from Portland, OR
20 answers

Hello. My almost 10 mo old is absolutely cantankerous when it comes to diaper changes. I lay him on the changing table, and he immediately rolls over and sits up. I pick him up to try again and same thing. Sometimes it works best if I let him stand. I don't know how to change him if he is sitting. He cries and complains. Occasionally it takes two people. I've been known to lay him on the floor and lock his arms down with my legs. What is going on? Why are diaper changes so traumatic for him? He is very strong and will flip over and darn near stand on his head... assuming I don't let go of the leg. I need 3 hands! Interestingly enough, at the community center when put on their table (the kind that fold out from the bathroom wall) he was fine. Silent and content. He also did great on the bed at my friend's house. Is it just our table or our house? Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. If its this big of a deal now, I am not looking forward to the running around, you can't catch me phase. Oh, and as for the strap, which we have, he can still roll over. Maybe he doesn't like being on his back? What is that all about? Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and your time.

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So What Happened?

We had a stuffed frog and froggy song, but that seemed to lose its charm. I've started using his camera toy (which acts like it takes a pic, flash & sound) to take a before & after change picture. He loves getting his pic taken! He gets to play w. it while I do the change and sing a silly bodily function song I learned at camp years ago. Its going better. I'll be sad when the batteries run out. At least I know the technique works, and can simply change out the song/toy as we need to. Thanks for all your suggestions and support. Its nice to know I'm not the only one.

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A.L.

answers from Portland on

E.,

My son did the same thing around 10 months and still does at 14 months. I found that if I ALWAYS have a toy, any toy around for him to hold on to, he doesn't fight his diaper change. Speed also helps! Get that diapy changed as fast as you can!

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M.H.

answers from Seattle on

Its a phase - every infant i know has gone through it. It does get better. The community center and friend's house are probably just different enough for him to be entertained.
Try giving him a toy or book to play with, or even a bottle or sippy cup. A mobile can also work.

good luck.

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F.M.

answers from Portland on

Oh, my gosh! I totally remember my daughter going through that exact same phase! I ended up changing her on the carpet on the floor of our bathroom most of the time. And I realized that so much of it was about boredom for her. She loved being antsy and flipping around. What seemed to work for quite a while was entertaining her in some very amusing ways. I started to dangle items back and forth from my mouth (distraction!) right above her head and I would hum silly tunes-- all the while my hands were busy was changing her diaper as fast as I could. I must say I am impressed that I was able to do this, but I believe that most mamas can do the same since desperation breeds inventiveness. :) And... by the way, at some point this too shall pass.

I wish you much luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Portland on

My 8 month old tries to turn over every time I change him. I just hand him something he might find intriguing, which is almost everything. By the time he wants something else, I am done changing his diaper.

J.S.

answers from Seattle on

Hey E. - My daughter will be 10 months next week, and I'm going through the same thing with her. She's my third, and they've all gone through this phase. I try to give her a shoe/strap/toy to play with, but that only helps for a second until she tosses it! Since I've never found a "cure" I just stayed consistent. I talk to them, do the "Blllth" thing with my tongue, make faces and, as firmly as I can, hold them down and be as quick as possible. I try not to make it a game.

Sorry I'm no help, but I wanted to let you know that in my experience it is just a phase. When he's just a bit older you can sing with him, ask him to point to his head, eyes, ears, etc. If you want to you can buy the tiniest Easy Ups, that way you can have your baby step out of and into them, and if it's a poopy you can tear the sides apart and lay him down, too. I use cloth, so that's not an option for me!!

Blessings,
J.

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L.B.

answers from Seattle on

We have the same problem. Essentially we have found that if he isn't entertained in some fashion during the diaper change, he wants to go and play with his toys. We sing to him and it immediately gets his attention. I have also told stories about family members-good ones of course! My friend has a box of toys next to the changing pad to keep her son still and also uses a kazoo to entertain. We have tried everything but the kazoo and most of the time it works. Good luck!

:)

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C.F.

answers from Portland on

SAME problem here. Exact same. Only now he's 2, and still has issues. I don't know what to tell you. Those diapers have to be changed. We even tried a big mirror that he can look at himself in. That helped for about 3 changes. he's slowly being less traumatized by the diaper changes at home. Now, we are getting into potty training, which I had thought would happen quickly because of the hate of diapers... and it turns out that he hates that too. urgh. This too shall pass.

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J.R.

answers from Seattle on

do you give him a toy or something to play with? Why not try chinging him somewhere else at your house (a bed, the floor..)

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A.H.

answers from Medford on

2 words, Warm Wipes! There are some devices that warm the whole pack, and it made a huge difference! I had a glow worm toy that I used to give my son, and it distracted him, and the warm wipe kept him calm.
This was 16 years ago...! Time flies, but memories linger. Enjoy your robust baby boy!
Best wishes!

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T.Y.

answers from Anchorage on

Make sure the cloth cover is on the table so it's not cold on his back or catching on any flaps. Start a song for diaper changing time. We sing diaper, diaper, diaper de doo or some other catchy tune. Then we teach "mommy needs your help to lie still and lift your legs." Or whatever I needed I say " how still can you be for Momma?" I also let him bring a car or a distracting toy and then just get him in the routine. He starts standing and we name the animals on the comforter that's hanging in that area. Now, sit. Tickle feet or say "whew stinky feet" so he keeps his feet lifted trying to get me to say stinky feet. Good luck and practice, practice, lol.

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S.L.

answers from Portland on

Here's what works for me. He's 10 months and he can't talk yet, but he can understand a lot. So you try to get him in on the action. You ask him to lay down for you. Give him choices like: "Do you want to lay down by yourself or do you want me to put you down?" If he ignores you or doesn't choose, tell him you're going to count to 3 or 5 or whatever number and if he's not laying down you're going to lay him down. Ask him to lift up his bottom so you can put the diaper under, etc. I swear this changes everything. Now you're doing it together, not just doing something to him. It gives him some control and some interest in "the project." Know what I mean? Try it a few times and let me know how it works for you.

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A.W.

answers from Seattle on

sounds like he is doing exactly what they all do. I remember putting legs over my daughter to change her. She still hates doing it but I guess I have gotten quicker. Try and give him something to play with. Wipes are always an attraction, so give him one to play with or let him hold the new diaper or a little interesting toy. I remember we had one of those vibrating ladybug toys that my daughter loved. Or a toothbrush - that is always a good thing. That should buy you a little time. Anyhow, it either gets better or you get faster. Hang in there.

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N.N.

answers from Seattle on

Hi E.,

That is absolutely normal, I called that the 10 month twist. It can be very frustrating for you, especially when he has a poopy diaper. As others suggested, give him a toy or a book to play with and try singing to him. Just remember it's a phase and he should outgrow it in a couple months. Until then you might just change him on the floor so you don't have to worry about him falling off the changing table.
Good Luck!

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D.M.

answers from Portland on

if i let my daughter pick out a toy from her toy shelf (maybe one she hasn't played with for a while) right before i change her, it usually keeps her occupied for the minute or so that she's lying down.
of course, right after that 30-45 seconds she's ready to move on!
they are hard to keep up with aren't they?

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T.P.

answers from Portland on

I give my 11 month old something to play with that he typically does not get to play with, a toothbrush has been the most current distraction. I've also used a diaper, lotion bottle, etc. Just don't let them play with any other time otherwise it loses it's appeal. Then, work quickly.

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J.C.

answers from Bellingham on

VERY normal at this age! My friend and I used to compare which of our children was the squirmiest! Have fun!
J.

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E.J.

answers from Seattle on

Our son loves to roll when having his diaper changed as well. The thing that I have come to is the need to be consistent! They have to learn that something is not ok if it isn't. So everytime he rolls I turn him back over with a firm "we don't roll over on the changing table please" I know it is painful because it can mean rolling him back over 15 times in one diaper change but it is working - he has become much easier to change. Also I give him a toy to play with while I change him because it keeps his focus. Lastly - try not changing him on the floor. For my son he knows he is allowed to roll over on the floor and so when I change him there he understandably wants to roll. Stick with it and be consistent - that is the only way he will get it.

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J.B.

answers from Seattle on

My son was (and sometimes still is) the same way... It's like changing a diaper on a wild animal! We used to joke last Christmas that he would be Santas newest reindeer... "Thrasher"!
I've found it does help to have a distracting toy (blinking, etc) that is exclusive to diaper changes - also singing helped at times. As time went by and he knew the names of different body parts, I would say "where's your nose?" and he would point to various features which kept him busy.
I do strongly suggest you switch to changing him on the bed/floor rather than the changing table - my son is so strong it became a serious safety issue for me!
Best wishes!

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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

That's frustrating - my 14-mo-old is going through that now. He enjoys having socks on his hands - gives him something to do while I'm changing him. Added bonus - if your child reachs down to "help" you, rather than having to deal with a poopy baby hand, you can simply take off the sock puppet and toss it in a bucket to soak. Also - how about putting pictures or posters on the ceiling?

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A.S.

answers from Eugene on

Yes it's absolutely normal, there is something about being on one's back that is very scary for children this age - very vulnerable feeling, especially if being forced. I wouldn't force him to lie down, I think that is traumatic for a child. I would suggest reading about Elimination Communication (there are several books, like the Diaper Free Baby, and good websites). this could be a good time to help him begin learning to signal when he has to go potty (sign language is great to help with that too). My daughter uses EC with her children, and it works great and eliminates so many of the problems associated with diapering and toilet training. And as far as the diaper changing goes, I did it a lot standing up and on the run, I recall it being kind of fun even. Don't worry, it will pass!

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