Changing time

[baby catcher]

Just looking for some suggestions/reassurance.

Our son will be 3 weeks tomorrow, born full term, and he screams and has an absolute fit every single time we change his diaper.  We are using cloth, but were using disposable while travelling recently - it doesn't seem to matter what we do or what we use, he still screams.

He doesn't have any open sores or even a red bottom.  There doesn't appear to be anything wrong.

Does anyone else have the same issue?  Any suggestions?  Advice???

Thanks ladies!

[rainface]

Does he stop when you're done and you pick him up? My DD screamed every time I changed her diaper (now she just screams about half the time) but she stops as soon as I pick her up. I think she just doesn't like being on her back. I cloth diaper too and it was fun to get the hang of prefolds while she was screeching bloody murder. 

[baby catcher]

Hi Rainface,

Yes, often he'll start to calm as we are doing up his undershirt and sleeper.  After a change, when he is all dressed again, he may even lie quietly on the change table and look at himself in the mirror.  It's the complete loss of control, pounding feet and intense screaming that breaks my heart.  Now he's taking (for the past 4 days) of spontaneously screaming for an hour + at a time throughout the day.  Nothing I do will calm him and he obviously isn't calming himself!  I have no idea what has overcome my baby!

[tank]

Some babies don't like being naked.  Maybe he is cold?  Can you try making it warmer in the room when you change him and see if that makes a difference?

Also (you may already do this) talking to him in a nice calming voice as you change him, sing to him etc. 

My DS is 4 weeks old and he is going through a fussy time too.  He seems to cry and nothing calms him down after 3 weeks of not really ever crying.  It breaks my heart but I know it's completely normal. 

[lifeguard]

Do you keep his feet covered? Dd was miserable until I started putting socks on her under her sleepers so that her feet stayed warm.

[Kindermama]

Sit down on a couch or chair and lay him in front of you on your bent legs and change him that way.....along with all the previous ideas of keeping him warm before you undress him. Another idea is to swaddle him from the belly button up and change him that way

[baby catcher]

Hi ladies, thanks for the tips! 

Kindermama, when I change him, I only undo his sleeper and onesie enough to get at his bottom - I never fully undress him. I've tried leaving him swaddled too and only lifting off the bottom part.  It helps a bit, but not overly.....  sigh....   I've tried putting a heating pad on the change table to warm the cushion, and he still screams. Lifeguard, I'll try the socks idea...he hasn't ever been fond of keeping them on under his sleeper (his feet are too small, so they fall off!) but I'll try again.

I don't know that I can change him on my lap.  He is way to strong, especially if he gets cranked up and screaming....he would wind up on the floor and I can't tell you what a mess that diaper would make!!!

I'll let you know if we have any success!

Thanks ladies!