Does your Lo sit still while getting dressed?

[KellyandBean]

We aren't exactly a toddler yet but pretty close (11 months) I'm starting to wonder about something lately. When i dress DD i let her crawl around, try to stand up & goof off. Basically i chase her around the room while she plays. DH doesn't like to stand for it and tries to make her lay down which makes DD cry. I'd rather chase her around then try to force her to sit still. I am wondering if i am starting a bad habit? Does she need to learn how to sit still or is it ok just let let her be a crazy hyper kid and work around that? Amd i asking for problem behavior later on? I'm a fire time parent so i have no clue. I often wonder about things like this. Do you have your LOs sit still while being dressed or any other limits or rules you set for a young toddler? TIA

[Daisie125]

My almost 5 year old doesn't sit still to get dressed! I pick my battles and forcing a kid to sit who doesn't want to isn't one of the ones I pick unless we are running late or we need to get out of the house urgently. I know he doesn't sit still and I need to account for that in my getting ready time.

My 3 year old, dresses herself and has for almost a year without even being asked. All kids are different.

[pranava]

I could not make DS sit still for dressing if I tried.  It is like wrestling and alligator - diaper changes are the same.  He started moving around a lot at that age and hasn't quit.  I do ask him to sit still and it sometimes works to ask for his help to get dressed - like "show me how you can put your arm in your sleeve!"  but most of the time, he laughs and wiggles and I try to hurry.  His pants are usually twisted and his shirt is half pulled down.

[Catubodua]

I'm right there too - 11 month old DS.

it's easier on me for him to stay still-ish while i dress him but he often wants to flop around or isn't interested in staying put at that moment.  i finally solved the problem (at least for now) by giving him something "forbidden" while he's on the changing table.    by forbidden i mean something he normally has taken away from him like the TV remote or the box of wipes.  it keeps him still for the little bit of time i need him to be still and my aggrevation level stays low.

i do think it's important for them to be able to learn to stay put for a few moments at a time, although i'm trying to figure out ways to make it fun for him to do what i want vs making rules for him to follow.

[Courtney-Ostaff]

*snicker* No way, Jose!  She thinks it's great fun to run...but she does know it's a game, and if we're in a hurry to whatnot, she'll stand still.  All babies are going to be wigglers -- that's why they put that strap on the changing tables -- duh!  :)

[1blueheron]

I too feel your pain.  It takes two big strong adults to wrestle DD into her pajamas before bed.  Usually one of us dangles her in the air, kicking and flailing, while the other snaps/buttons/etc.  I think it's just a toddler thing.  I try to talk to her about what we're doing ("I need this hand," "arm thr the sleeve," etc), hoping that will help....someday.

[cloudbutterfly]

Just wait until you're running after her with a onesie in your outstretched hands!  I often have these moments where I realize how ridiculous it is to think I'm going to get something over his head, and yet it happens all the time now.  It just seems easier to work with him than to fight with him, and as I'm hoping he'll learn to dress himself eventually, it doesn't seem like not teaching him to sit still for it will be a problem in the long term.  :)

My favorite trick is for getting on pants, his least favorite thing.  I taught him to get off the bed safely sliding down over the edge on his tummy a few months ago, and if I can get him to pause for a moment before sliding off, I can arrange it so he slides into his pants!  Otherwise, I'll have him sit in my lap with books or toys while I wriggle clothes on him, or lie him on his back and disguise getting dressed as a tickle attack, or just chase him around and get another piece of clothing on when I can catch him.

[Marissamom]

for a while we used a lot of ticking, hugging, and kisses to get DD to stay in close to the same spot while getting dressed. now her big thing is she wants to be my "Helper" and do things for herself. so she's pretty in to helping us get her dressed. (The kid gets mad if I don't let her "help" put groceries away)

[NevadaMama]

Originally Posted by Catubodua 

I'm right there too - 11 month old DS.

it's easier on me for him to stay still-ish while i dress him but he often wants to flop around or isn't interested in staying put at that moment.  i finally solved the problem (at least for now) by giving him something "forbidden" while he's on the changing table.    by forbidden i mean something he normally has taken away from him like the TV remote or the box of wipes.  it keeps him still for the little bit of time i need him to be still and my aggrevation level stays low.

i do think it's important for them to be able to learn to stay put for a few moments at a time, although i'm trying to figure out ways to make it fun for him to do what i want vs making rules for him to follow.

This is EXACTLY what we have to do too. Right now the only thing that will keep her still for longer than 5 seconds is chewing on a lotion bottle. I hate giving it to her, because she has just figured out how to flip open the lid and eat the lotion (eww eww eww), so I guess we need to come up with a new "forbidden" object. It is SUCH a pain, she tries to escape no matter what - changing a diaper, clothes, putting her socks back on for the 100th time, etc. I hope she grows out of this soon, but I'm betting that won't be the case