Need Ideas Please!!

Updated on April 22, 2011
A.W. asks from Jacksonville, FL
18 answers

My daughter turned one this month and now that she is walking she is always on the move. Every time I try to change her diaper she freaks out and tries to run away. She will not lay there anymore and its a real struggle. Is this normal for this age? Will she eventually get over it? She also loves bath time but for the last couple of weeks won't sit in the bath anymore. She wants to stand up and walk around which scares me and she slips. We have tried giving her new bath toys but that hasn't worked. Any ideas?

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Featured Answers

J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Get her a bath mat. My daughter can't sit still for anything, so we did this for her and it worked like a charm.

3 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, totally normal. My baby is 20 months and he still will not hold still for a diaper change. I try to give him something new/different to hold while he's being changed or I sing silly songs to him. It's frustrating, but there is no reasoning with them. As for the bath, I guess just get a bath mat to help prevent slipping. Sit her in there and praise her for sitting down. Eventually, the standing will get old and she'll want to sit and play with the toys.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Totally normal with the diaper thing.... just wait until she figures out how to take it off herself ;) As far as the bath, get those grippy thing for the bottom, and make sure you're always there with her and teach her to SIT. Persistence is key :)

3 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

This is perfectly normal. She's discovered a whole new thing! Some moms have been able to learn to change a diaper on a standing child (I never quite mastered that) and yes, a bath mat might help. Or keep baths short, or take her in the shower with you.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Normal, yes. This is the start of discipline!! Trust your Mommy instincts and insist she mind and obey the safety rules. And continue to distract with toys, singing/music. etc. Enjoy the ride.

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L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

Where do you change her? Is it on a changing table, or on a bed or the floor? The only time I had a hard time with my LO's running away was if I changed them somewhere other than the changing table. If you don't have a changing table, you probably don't want to buy one now. Maybe you could get one of those cuved pads meant for changing tables and put it on a dresser or something. I'd get one of the ones that can attach to the back side of the dresser so it doesn't slide . Obviously, you wouldn't be able to take your hands off her for a second, but that's the case with a traditional table anyway.
Good luck! :)

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R.K.

answers from New York on

Normal. But about the bath. My DD was like this and she LOVED her bath. We had a knees or bottom rule. If she did not comply then bath was over. It only took a couple of times to get the message across.

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J.U.

answers from Norfolk on

Luckly you can take a diaper off while they are running away. Then she will feel even more free ;)
You might try pull ups for when she is on the go.
As far as bath time, start talking about showers and just see if she likes it. They don't stay in the shower very long but still gets very clean.

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B.A.

answers from Tampa on

Get used to it. She'll be this way most of the time between now and potty training.

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T.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

Yes its normal and a phase. Distraction are key to getting her to stay still. Sometime it takes a an extra hand to change a go go baby. Tub thing is totally normal and you have to be sturn in not letting her. SOme non slip stickers in the tub will benefit you now and later. Tub time will just have to be quick til she gets better about now walking around. Otherwise, the shower is fun too. Go to onestepahead.com for some great bath ideas and more.

Hang in there, i got 2 girls 9 5yr and almost 2) so i know your fustrations. One minute you are going crazy thinking she is gonna get hurt and the next your laughing at this cutie pie of yours.

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P.S.

answers from Houston on

This is very normal! Just give her lots of distractions as you put on her diaper or keep her in the tub.

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N.L.

answers from Tampa on

Totally normal... My son was doing the same thing...

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Normal- she is becoming more her own person, do your best to keep her safe, and enjoy-
they grow up very quickly.
best, k

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

It's a phase, just do what you can to protect her in the tub, maybe a mat? Once they master walking they are on the run for a bit and you are just on hard duty for awhile. Have a favorite, or interesting toy for her to play with when you need to do a diaper change, something that will distract her long enough for you to whip through it ... after you catch her that is :)

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

Both are very normal! At diaper change, I give my 15 month old a toy that he really likes or I let him hold the diaper cream or his toothbrush, which he seems fascinated with. At bathtime, I sit right there and repeatedly make him sit down. If he continues, I take him out. When he screams, I put him back in and say "sit!" I try to show him that if he stands, he's getting out. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I try a distraction like splashing a little water or squirting his tummy with a bath toy.
Just keep at it!

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J.R.

answers from South Bend on

I have twins that will be one May 11- they both battle me during diaper changes, so I have resorted to giving them the remote while they are being changed. It works. They are not allowed to have the remote any other time, but they want it always. As for bath time, my daughter sits and plays, but my son is constantly getting up and wanting to wade in the water. My husband and I bathe them together when we are both there, and I'm in charge of our mover. I just bathe him quickly, and always keep one hand on an arm.

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T.B.

answers from Tampa on

Like everyone else has mentioned, it's very normal. I ended up being a pro at changing my son when he stood

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C.M.

answers from New York on

This is totally normal. My son still does this and he is 14 months. Lol. I just try talking to him while I'm changing him, to let him know what I'm doing. This is also beneficial for the potty training process. Or I'll give him something to keep him occupied until I'm finished. Bath time is another story. I will let him stand up, but I'm holding his hand the entire time. We have the bath toys that squirt water, so I try to play with him as well. Or I'll turn the water on. That distracts him and he'll finally sit down and play with the water.

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