Emy Son and Diaper Changes

That's when I started changing them standing up. A pee diaper is nothing. Just whip the old one off, do a quick wipe and put a new one on. A poopy diaper was a little more complex. You have to be a little more careful taking it off. But then I would face him sideways and tell him to touch his toes, and that's when I would clean him up.

It's not too complicated and just so much easier.

Try changing him standing up...it worked for us....Perhaps look into pull-ups as they are easier to change standing up than diapers.

Good luck

Please don't hit your kid-- he's at a developmental point of his age that standing up is when a lot of the fun happens/ laying down means the fun stops because he's expected to stop what he's doing and sleep. Those are likely his associations: stand up- autonomy, self-directed/ lay down: adult-led, no autonomy.

Your child is not a passive actor, and there's good in that. When the children I cared for started to get squirmy, we moved to 'standing up' diaper changes in the bathroom. (easy to clean if there's any accidental mess). This also worked great in preparing the child for having to change diapers in situations which laying them down was untenable (restrooms with no changing table-- it happens) and for potty training and changing pull-ups or underwear-- they'll be getting changed and cleaned up standing,not sitting.

It boggles the mind that we would treat this as a disobedience/control issue and further make it unpleasant in the hopes of teaching obedience when this is a child's cue to us that they are developing their own sense of self and priorities. I mean, think about it- if you had to do something you really didn't want to do, wouldn't you want some choice in the matter? I think most of us would answer yes.

So heed this warning-- if you go forward making this a power struggle at age 16 months old, be prepared for more problems. Because this is something very, very little in the big, big picture of parenting. Try the smallest changes first (standing up changes) before breaking out the big guns and making it a big, painful experience.

i'm astonished that so many are suggesting that you hit your baby! this is a very common phase for kids to go through, and it's up to the parent to be a freakin' adult and deal with it calmly and efficiently.
using cute euphemisms doesn't change the fact that people are advising you to punish your child for expressing his developmentally appropriate frustration and displeasure in the only way he can.
screaming wigglers are very challenging to change, no doubt about it. no fun for anyone. but he's not even 2, and has many many more challenging phases ahead. if this one is already wearing you down and trying your patience to this point, you're both in for a very rough road. there's nothing wrong with getting help when you need it. go find a good child development expert and family therapist and learn what to expect from babies and toddler, and learn some coping techniques.
ones that don't involve 'swatting' or 'flicking' or 'popping' or otherwise manhandling a baby.
khairete
S.

B is right. sometimes a smart crack on the leg will take care of this. Not a big whaling spanking type thing just one smart crack on the leg accompanied by a be still.

Please don't hit him for this, as others have mentioned. Either the stand-up method or get really creative with special things to hold only at changing time, while you are supervising him--a little mirror that opens and closes, an empty lipstick tube that he can open and close--something he never gets to touch that does something to keep him busy. Make it fun--get excited about it as you are walking to the table and say, "should we sing a song?" and then totally have fun, be silly and sing or have him point to your nose and ears and hair. And remember they can smell fear. I miss diaper changes........

You could try changing him while he's standing up.

eta I think that some mom's misunderstood the suggestion regarding hitting. I quick painless swat on the leg in a loving way gets the baby's attention. When he is squirming and fussing or screaming he isn't paying attention to Mom. This gets his attention so he will be able to hear Mom say to hold still. This does work without denying the baby's attempt at autonomy. Baby has many ways to learn autonomy. Baby also needs to learn that there are times to listen to mom and do as she asks.

I agree that even a quick tap is not appropriate for many things. It's not appropriate for discipline Or to get their attention when looking them in the eye and touching them will work.

If one doesn't agree with using this to get attention, one can try holding baby, looking in their eyes and tell him how she wants him to act. Tell him why and assure him you'll he quick. Make it a game. Use a cheerful but still authoritive voice. I've not tried doing this.

I agree with B and Sherry..... sometimes a bit of a swat or flick on the thigh/butt will settle them down.....

They do need to understand you mean business, and that mommy is supposed to be obeyed.

I'm not talking about a swat that leaves a handprint..... just a finger "flick" or light swat.....

You don't want them wiggling around or trying to flip over if you are changing them on a table, or trying to crawl away when you are trying to wipe up a poopy butt.....

Change him standing up. And don't hit him. Gidget had some good ideas on that. And talk to him about what you're doing - it's his body, so involve him in the care of it. He can hold the diaper till you need it, give you the wipes, etc.
Maybe make a little picture book about the super fast diaper change. Sing a song about it.

Oh heavens. Of course he's too young for potty training. PLEASE read some books on child development. You don't understand children at all if you're serious in asking this question...

You have said that you've about had it with him, and he's still a baby. If you are raising your voice, yelling at him or being rough with him, then you are setting yourself up to have a toddler who does the same back to you, but he will have NO BOUNDARIES, no interest in stopping himself, and no problem pushing every single button you have. In all the years that my kids were in diapers (3 years for each), it NEVER took me 15 minutes to change a diaper, and my little boys were STRONG. I just sang to them, held them down with one arm and wiped away with the other. Sometimes when they had a really foul poop, I'd put them in the bathtub to clean them off.

You need some help in understanding little children. Some parenting classes would do you some good. If you don't learn about how children really are and how to effectively deal with them, things will be very hard for you.

OK a, prior to 1965, kids were fully potty trained in the US by 18 months. Cloth diapers contributed to this, but I firmly believe, as do many others, that there is a window from 15-18 months. Kids fight diapers at this age. It's a perfect time to introduce the potty and potty train. My oldest daughter and son pee trained by 18 months, and then night and poop trained by 21 months.

I'd introduce the potty. Get the book early start potty training.

All mine hit that stage at one point or another. It was like a squirming little piglet sometimes!

I used to do as you did - sippy cup, toys, etc. usually that would distract them.

But as they got older and weren't on the changing table, I had supplies in a basket on each floor. If they were watching a little show, I'd do it then - just had a big pad to put them on (and to keep floor clean), and it was done lickety split.

After a certain age, a firm voice was all it took - they knew the faster it was done, the faster they could get back to playing.

Good luck :)

Yes, he's way too young. Most boys don't even start until they're really close to 3. He is overly interested in this though so he might do it early. It won't hurt to let him sit backwards on the toilet when you start his bath water or are getting his stuff ready to brush his teeth. Sitting backwards on the toilet prepares him for future facing forward and he can sit and see...lol.

My son was exactly the same way. Some friends with multiple children never experienced his thrashing, looking as if it wa torturous, but many experienced the same. It is just a phase that too will pass. Hang in there!

Ugh, I feel for you! Bother of my boys went through that phase, but my younger one was really terrible about it for several months. The standing thing worked pretty well, but it is pretty tough with bad poop diapers! Just know that it will pass, hang in there!!

I had a nightmare experience with major squirming and a terrible poop explosion diaper on a changing table at a children's museum. I was nearly in tears at the time, but 2.5 years later it is just another amusing parenting war story!! You will get through this, I promise it won't last forever, even though it feels like it now!!

Potty training. And I can't believe anyone would suggest hitting him. WOW.