He was almost an EC grad......

[FreeRangeMama]

So my 2 yo EC'ed (since 2.5 months) ds has recently started a love affair with diapers. He was diapered when we were out of the house (as he was to distracted to bother signalling) until about 11 or 12 months when I switched to training pants, and at night I still diaper him (sleep disorders make it difficult to EC him at night). Other then that he was always naked or in training pants and I always offered to potty him regardless of where we were and changed him right away if we missed. He was mostly graduated with the exception of nighttime and the occasional accident during the day. Lately though, he doesn't want to be naked, and insists on wearing a diaper. He won't tell me when he has to pee (he is still consistent with poops though-has been since 4 months, except for a few short strikes around 11-12 months) and he freaks out when I want to change his wet diaper. He will happily use his potty when naked (although he never wants to be naked anymore). What is up? Why would an almost never diapered child decide he loves them so much all of a sudden? I never bought larger diapers or wraps as we haven't needed them. Anyone else been through this with their almost grads? Thanks for the input.

Laurie

[Freddy]

Does he have friends of around the same age? Do they still wear diapers?

With Wolfgang I found that 2 was a time when it became more and more important to do what other kids do and to have what they have. So if they are all wearing diapers...

Fortunately Wolfgang had not worn diapers for such a long time at this point that he did not "use" them, but he insisted I put a diaper on him for a few times. I had a very big and rather uncomfortable cloth diaper I made myself and which did not turn out well for those occasions.

[USAmma]

Hi Laurie,

I think Freddy has a good point about other kids with diapers. Abi just saw someone her age using the potty last week and now she wants to, and had decided diapers are out and panties are in. I think she wants to try the new thing because it's more exciting. Then we babysat another girl who is still in diapers and I could tell Abi was really confused about it. Maybe you could have a little pep talk with him about how diapers are for little babies and how happy you are that he uses the potty and wears underwhere like daddy and (name other friends his age who are trained), and grandpa, etc.

When Abi asked for her diapers once last week at the start of her official graduation from daytime dipes, because she had to poop, I told her the diapers were all gone and she could sit in her potty. I asked her if Mommy pooped in diapers, and Daddy, etc. She laughed and said no. Then she did sit and go, and although she has missed poops in the potty since, she's never asked for diapers again.

Good luck!

Darshani

[FreeRangeMama]

Thank you both for your responses. I have been meaning to get back to this post for a while now

It would make sense that he would want diapers if he saw other kids wearing them, but he doesn't have a lot of exposure to other children, and I'm not sure he has ever seen a child get their diaper changed. I think it has more to do with the fact that he is learning that he is in control of his body and what it does or is done to it. His return to diapers coincides with his "I'm never going to sleep and you can't make me" phase (he went nearly 2 weeks with only 4 hours a night and no naps, simply "willed" himself awake every time he started dozing off). He also will refuse to take his wet diapers off (he would stay in them all day if I'd let him) as well as other articles of clothing. He walks around all day in shoes and coat some days. I imagine it'll pass, in fact he has asked to pee in the toilet a few times lately and has used his potty on occasion when naked (he used to use it exclusively), and at least he still poops in the toilet. Maybe I will make dh take him in with him again, and show him older kids who use the toilet. That approach might just work as long as I keep it very low key (he knows when he is being manipulated and will definately rebel )

Thanks again for your insights.

Laurie