I am guessing this is normal, but I wanted to check. My 17 month old is typically an extremely happy and easy going child. He rarely fusses and is a little angel. However, when it comes time to change a diaper, he acts as if it is the end of the world. He screams and cries, turns bright red, goes as stiff as a board and starts shaking! Even when he really hurts himself, he doesn't cry this much. There are no obvious causes I can think of. He doesn't have diaper rash or any kind or sores/scratches on his butt. We use the Sensitive wipes just in case his skin bothers him, but we haven't seen any cause for concern. He hasn't had any traumatic issues during a diaper change. We change him on the floor on a blanket because he has always wiggled so much, so he can't be afraid of being on a table. He is fine in the bath tub, and has no issues with being washed down there. He's never really liked changing times, but in the past couple of months, it has been a battle. I think it is because he just hates to be stopped and forced to stay still for any amount of time. He isn't a "sit on your lap and cuddle" type kid. He is always on the go. Lately he has even started crying if he is playing with a friend, and that friend has to have a diaper changed! Do other boys act this way? Any ideas how I can make it less traumatic for him (and myself)?
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It's horrible to see my son acting like he is in so much distress; but I guess I need to learn how to deal with these fits. It helps to know that it is at least fairly common. I will try some of your suggestions.
My daughter was the same way. A friend suggested that we use Pull-ups or Easy-ups so that she didn't have to lie down. That was a huge help! Poopy diapers were still a struggle, but that at least cuts down many of the battles.
Hang in there! It DOES get better. =)
Sounds just like my little guy. Unfortunately, you gotta just keep struggling through it. If nothing is medically wrong, he's just a boy who wants to keep playing. I can offer empathy,I go through the same thing just about every diaper change. I talk to my little guy, give him a toy or tell a story while I am doing it, you might want to try that. Good Luck
I try to keep a distraction around -- Elmo, talking Easter Bunny -- but even then it's a race to get finished fast. We're to the point with our 2yo that if you pick up a diaper, he takes off and you have to chase him down. Then he screams and kicks through the whole change.
I agree with the others that it's most likely an active child that doesn't want to slow down for any amount of time! My only suggestion would be to give him a toy to get him busy and be really fast!!
Good luck!
My 12-month old boy also hates diaper changes or anything that requires him to stay still, like changing outfits etc. Our life got a lot easier when we started using pull-up diapers - they can be changed very easily and quickly even when standing up, and my son doesn't try to get them off like a "normal" diaper with straps in the front as soon as I've managed to get them on >:-|
Good luck!
My son went through the same thing at about that age. What finally seemed to help was having a few toys that were just for playing with during diaper changes. Little things like stickers, bubbles, whistles, etc., that would distract him long enough to get him changed. Now I ask him to go get something he wants to play with while I change his diaper and he comes right to me ready to be changed. Hope this helps, good luck!!!
B.
I'm not sure if I'd say "most", but the very active ones, of course. I do think it mostly has to do with laying down and staying still. Since my now 2.5yo started walking (at 12 months) I began perfecting the standing diaper change. That way I'm not really disturbing his play. It's just so much easier on both of us. I hate to be too accomodating to his fits, as I don't generally do that, but 6-8 screaming fits a day are hard on baby and mama. I do make him lay down for poopoos (had a neighbor who did standing changes on those too- what a challenge!). He still gets to play with his toys and I just change it while he does that. The most important thing is to make sure that the "jewels" are all in and the cheeks in the back. You get better with practice, trust me. I don't use the wipes for every change, think it's unecessary for peepees. Our diapers keep the pee away and keep him dry.
Yes...this is very normal. We experienced the same thing when our son was about the same age...it will probably continue for a while until they decide they don't like having a dirty diaper on...til about 2 or so. Hang in there...it's exactly what you are thinking...they don't like to sit still for this. Just knowing that it is common should ease your stress a little and maybe that will help him be less stressed too. good luck.
My son was the same way... he's just now at the point where I can do it without breaking a sweat, lol. I started letting him throw away the pee diapers in the pail, I roll them up and let him throw it away... he looks forward to that so much that he will lay down now without much of a fight. (The poopoo ones I tie up in a grocery sack and throw outside, don't let him touch those. :o)
The other thing I have done in the past is start naming things. Where's the door? Where's the window? Where's the vent? etc. for as many things I can think of that he can point to from the changing table. We do wall, ceiling, window, door, fan, light, vent, eyes, hair, nose, ears, and on and on. That keeps him occupied and he loves when I get all excited when he gets it right. :o)
~t
He may be a little young, but you might think about beginning to potty-train him if he hates changing time THAT much. (Your husband will be the best one to introduce this--let him see how daddy goes to the bathroom, etc. He probably already follows one or both of you into the bathroom, anyway. Never knew a kid who didn't! :0) ) No 17-month-old wants to be still for any reason--too much to see and do! I like the idea someone else had of using distractions like a toy, etc. I remember using that a lot, or peek-a-boo, or funny noises--even toddlers love those!.
It's not just a boy thing. My two year old daughter has been doing that for months now. I finally switched over to pull ups which makes the change much faster and easier on the both of us. Now my daughter hates to put on clothes. She loves to strip down naked and run around. You'd think I was torchering her when I put her clothes on!! The screaming and going stiff as a board is an understatement. I keep waiting for this phase to pass.
