~*~* 14 Month Old Son Won't Stay Still for Diaper Changes *~*~

Updated on January 21, 2008
N.G. asks from Westland, MI
11 answers

Over the last few months my son, Landon, will not stay still when my husband or I change his diaper. He squirms, screams and arches his back just to avoid getting his diaper on. I've talked to my baby sitter about this and she says, "I have no problems at all with his diaper changes N.. It must be something you both [husband and I] are doing." That infuriates me! I feel as though I've tried everything to "bribe" him into cooperation, and yet nothing works! I don't know what to do. A diaper change can take 10 minutes and can be very embarassing when out in public.
Help. Any advice would be appreciated!
N.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for the little tid-bits on how to get my son to cooperate with the diaper changes. I have to say that there has been some SLIGHT improvement...I still have to tackle him sometimes :) but for the most part things are getting better. He is a pretty hard-headed little man and sometimes it's just not worth the fight.
Thanks again for the advice.
N.

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L.W.

answers from Detroit on

I wish I could give you advice, but I can tell you that I go through the same thing with my 25-month-old son. It is so embarrassing, and my mom and mil say they never have a problem changing him. He only acts like that for me and my husband, but mainly me, I do not know why. I also try to bride him and let him squirt lotion out and play with the wipes, but he will just throw them, then want to play with that stuff 15 minutes later when I am finally done changing him! But I also went through this with my other children and it does not last forever. I am guess about another month or two. Hang in there.

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L.R.

answers from Detroit on

Are you there when the babysitter changes his diaper? Do you have a nanny cam? I am not lying and saying that your Babysitter is lying but maybe she is embarressed to admit she too is having problems.

Do you think that maybe your son is allergic to the wipes or rash cream. Reading the other mom's responses I guess I am not sure that I totally am equiped to answer this question as my little one is only 8 weeks and stays still. My only guess was maybe something physically must be bothering him about the diaper change?

I am hoping that this phase won't happen for awhile in our house.

Good luck.

P.S I too have a fur baby and am glad to see another mom use that term.

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M.R.

answers from Detroit on

Hi N.,
Don't feel lonesome! We have the same problem with our 15 mo. old grandson as well. He gives his mother, father & myself a problem 9 times out of 10. His grandfather is another story, lol....he will lay still for him. Anyway, what we have been doing is when he puts up this fuss, we give him one of his favorite toys or even the wipes container to play with while his diaper gets changed. Sometimes just smoothering him with kisses and tickling him will distrack him from the chore at hand. And other times it just may take a 'firm sounding voice' telling him that he must be still and get his diaper changed, that it will only take a minuet or two. There have also been times when our daughter-in-law had to call us and have grandpa talk to him and when our grandson whould hear his grandpa's voice, he would stop squirmming and his mother would then be able to finish changing his diaper or putting clothes on him, as he has doe the same thing when she tries to get his dressed. I hope this helps you. Another thing you can do is...Ask your babysitter just what she does or how she does it, as that may help as well.
M.,
Grandma of 4 boys & mother of 3 boys

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R.J.

answers from Detroit on

My boyfriend's daughter was and is the same way. We use that time as an opportunity to review to parts of the face. "Where's your nose?" "Where're your eyes?" etc... She's occupied, learning, and we get her diaper changed.

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D.R.

answers from Detroit on

What a ridiculous response from your sitter. I wouldn't appreciate that, either. It is very normal for kids to go through that stage. Both of mine did. I just experimented with them and got them either distracted with a toy or played silly games with them (like peek-a-boo or raspberry kisses on their tummy, neck, any body part I could get to) and the phases were more tolerable until they passed. Perhaps she is already doing something like this and could share her secret instead of making you feel like it's your fault. I'm sure you are doing nothing wrong.

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L.S.

answers from Detroit on

Nichole,

I have a little boy who was born in September 2005. I do not remember exactly what time frame it was but he did the same thing. Daycare said he sat still for them and they had no trouble. It also made me feel like I was doing something wrong but it did pass. I just kept several things close by that he did not get to see only when he was getting a diaper change. It did pass with time and I'm sure it will for you too with lots and lots of patience.

Good Luck, L.

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M.V.

answers from Detroit on

When our son started making us crazy with fussing at diaper changes, my husband started giving him a toy to hold. He would hand him a new toy (not new from the store, just new that minute) and then change the diaper as fast as possible before the "newness" wore off! It worked well most of the time. :-)

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M.H.

answers from Detroit on

That is very frustrating, I went through that with my daughter. I think the reason he does that with you is because he's truly comfortable with you. It's a phase that passes, and the suggestions others gave really help. We switched to Pampers Easy Ups when both kids were about 8 months old. No tabs to mess with! On days when we're really in a hurry I had my husband help me do standing diaper changes.

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K.P.

answers from Detroit on

ME TOO. My twins went through this around 12-13 months. It does get better! We only have the occasional bratty moments of diaper changing now.
But yes, they would only give me, my husband, and the grandma who watches then during the day a problem. Everyone else...perfect little babies.
The only thing that worked for me was having either a empty water bottle (they like the crushing noise) or cheerios to let them hold while I was changing.
Good luck...I can feel your frustration!

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K.F.

answers from Detroit on

N.,
Rest assured that it is nothing that "you are doing"! It is a stage that kids go through at that age and of course, you are the ones that they take most things out on. Kids alway act up for their parents opposed to someone else. Just keep him busy and pray that this stage will pass quickly. My daughter is 18 months and still has her moments. Good luck and don't worry about your diapering skills :)

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T.C.

answers from Detroit on

Hi N.,

We went through the same thing with our 2 yr old around that age. What seemed to help get us out of that phase was switching to pull-ups instead of diapers. He was much more cooperative for changes when he could stand up and step in and out of his pants. Obviously, he still needs to lay down for a change when he poops but he was more cooperative to lay down once or twice a day rather than every time. We would talk through our diaper changes telling him about stepping into his big boy pants and it seemed to help. I know pull-ups cost a little more than diapers but they have made life much easier for us. Now if I could just get him interested in potty training!

LOL....good luck!

T.

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