Diaper change trauma - help! « Back to Group Discussions

[buko]

Sorry I haven't had the chance to update with pics or story, but I need your help! Lina is doing wonderfully with basically one exception- she is completely traumatized by every diaper change (which is almost exclusively DH's domain). I have read tips for entertaining or dealing with older babies who have this issue, but not newborns. Help?

She wails and gets SO upset... It's true she gets over it once you pick her up, but the poor girl... I'm sure it's because we never put her down otherwise and she doesn't like being on her back, but what to do? We try talking, singing, placing a hand on her chest, letting her suck a knuckle... But none of that really works. Poor DH-- it just kills him.

Anything we can do?

[Chloe'sMama]

are the wipes cold?  DS really hates being cold, so we have to keep him covered while we are changing him (I use a hand towel over his legs) and we actually rinse his bottom under warm water and pat him dry.  She is still so so little and may just have to grow out of it.  Oh, I put my face right next to his so we are touching and I shoosh in his ear.  That seems to work.  

I think generally, babies just hate diaper changes.

[buko]

Thanks, CM-- actually, the wipes are super-warm.  She starts crying as soon as we put her down, before we even take the dipe off, so I'm thinking it's more that she's on her back and not on us.  I will try the louder shooshing (per Happiest Baby?) though.

[sgsnyder]

In the beginning, I used a heating pad under a thick blanket anytime I put Olive down. I'd talk to her and give her a mini-massage first instead of leaping right into diaper territory. Also, since we were both at home for the first week, I'd usually have DH kiss/caress her head & arms & tummy while I changed her. She never *loved* having her diap changed, but I think it helped so that she only cries if we're taking too long.

Sorry that's happening. I can imagine how stressful it must be for all three of you! So glad everything else is going well!

[Teles]

For the first week or so, Mila screamed like she was being tortured whenever we would change her diaper and we use cloth wipes with warm water. We tried everything but she was just inconsolable until it was over and we picked her up again.

Fortunately, the lady loves eye contact and now that she's more alert (two and a half weeks old) she's okay during around 85% of diaper changes so long as I talk to her and maintain eye contact with her as much as possible. I've also realized that if I change her diaper during her feeding intermission when she stops to burp, she's much more relaxed.

[josie423]

Lydia also had a tough time with diaper changes in the first week. What helped a lot was changing her on her blanket and wrapping the upper half of her body during the change.

Edited by josie423 - 3/7/13 at 10:28am

[Sunshine_Amy]

Buko, sorry you all have to go through this--it's so hard to watch one's baby get so upset!  

The things that have soothed Cian the most are the loud shh-ing (yes, ala Happiest Baby) and even more so, keeping him swaddled during the diaper change.  A swaddle like the velcro-style SwaddleMe things are great for this. With the ones that contain the legs, you can pop just the legs out to do the diaper change.  They also make ones that are two-piece, with a sleep sack and a velcro-attached arm swaddle. I have been making a lot of use of just the arm swaddle, without the sleep sack. If he's wearing zip up PJ's, I just snap the top, and keep the PJ zipper only halfway up, so I can unzip it without disturbing his arms.  It's really all about keeping their arms from flailing about, which I think scares them and certainly makes them more upset. Cian is much more responsive to shh-ing, etc., when he is swaddled!  

Oh, and my 4-year old daughter (who is very into being the helper) loves to put her finger in his mouth to help sooth him. (I make her wash her hands first.) It actually does help, even when done by a 4-year old. But only if he's swaddled.  I've also had her hold his arms down and shh him, which is great when I'm changing his outfit.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck soothing her!

[buko]

Thank you, all! I read all of these to DH and the next change, I held her arms and "shushed" loudly (a la Happiest Baby), as well as gave her my knuckle to suck on (though I've tried that before without much success). I think the shushing did the trick!

[Chloe'sMama]

hurray!  glad she was easier to change.  I really hate when they cry.... it is so sad.

[loveandgarbage]

Yay Buko! My little guy also acted like the world was ending during the 1st week of diaper changes but now he's gotten used to them. Hoping the same for you.