19mo really fights diaper changes

[ceeveg]

My DD has been fighting diaper changes for awhile now. She runs, screams, kicks, goes limp, twists, straightens her legs, and all sorts of other things.

It really seemed to coincide her beginning daycare. Her teachers say she'll occasionally resist the changes as well. However, when a friend babysat for her the other night, she reported that our DD very calmly laid on the bed and let her change her diaper. It seems she is more calm with less familiar people, which sort of makes sense. She is more comfortable, maybe, letting me and DH know that she's upset.

I've tried music, establishing a routine, turning on the TV, asking her to help me by getting the diaper and wipes, distracting her with a game of peekaboo, singing -- any advice?

It seems so stressful for her. She's so strong, I'm also worried she's going to arch her back and hit her head or pull something.

[marispel]

My DS is going through this as well. He kicks his legs while he is on the changing table and screams. Sometimes singing the ABCs really loudly will catch his attention and he'll stop the craziness. Sometimes I just let him kick for a couple minutes and then try to distract. Ugh - so frustrating (but an incentive to PT him as soon as he is ready!)

[lnitti]

A child laying like that is a very submissive act.

Is it possible for you to try to make changes standing up? Get her more involved by getting her diaper out, etc, so she feels more a part of the process (something you do together) rather than something being done to her.

Maybe some cotton training pants so she can feel wet and know that she needs to change?

The is also a good time for her to learn how to put her pants on and take them off instead of you doing it for her.

[laughymama]

My DS does this as well. I do the TV trick and if that doesn't work I've learned that if I act really, REALLY silly and ridiculous beforehand and during, he doesn't fight it nearly as much.
I'll wave my arms around, make ridiculous noises, sing loudly and just act silly. It relaxes him, makes him laugh so when I go to change him, he doesn't react nearly as violently as he usually does.

[ceeveg]

Thank you for such good suggestions! I am kicking myself for not thinking about asking her to help take her pants off, etc.. She is so into getting dressed in the morning or getting into her pjs. I think she will be really ready for potty training when it's time for her.

We have been trying changing her standing up, too, and it's been a little easier, but she continues to scream.

It really didn't start until daycare, and I wonder if it might have a little to do with that?

I will definitely try these suggestions. She really likes having a task to do, so I'll bet she'll enjoy assisting in her changes.

[janey99]

I usually give DS19 months a small toy to hold that he wouldn't otherwise get to play with because it is too small (he has a big brother so it's easy to find something around). He's usually so thrilled that it occupies him for the length of the change. He's even pretty good about giving it up because he knows the toys are special, only for changes.

Jane

[amahrey]

ds HATES getting dressed and having his diaper changed in the morning. when the singing performing stopped working for us i started giving him a piece of freeze dried mango or a wagon wheel (something that takes him a long time to eat). that has been working wonders for us.