Help with Changing Poopy Diapers

I have to change my 14 month old on the floor for dirties. I lay him down so we are facing each other, and I put one foot on each of his arms to pin him down. He still arches his back, but it's a little easier to corral him, and so far we've not gotten poop everywhere! They tell me this stage passes. I hope so.

Good Morning M.,
Well I am from the old school of training up a child, that is one of the very first disciplines a child learn, at about 6/8 months when they learn to roll over, you don't allow them to roll or try to get away when it time to change a diaper. Some parents turn this into a game and then its not funny when they get older and you can't change them without a mess. If you train them at the beginning they will learn that when it time to change pants you lay still. you need to take authority in this matter, but if you don't have the upper hand now what will she be like at 3- 7- 13 - 17. She must learn to listen to your voice and obey you. Because if she don't obey you, she's not going to obey her teacher, the policeman, her boss. I know for a fact, I work with alot of them that can't take instuctions or think they don't have to abide by what the boss said.
Hope this helps you.

I strip down my 21 month old son and shower him off, it works great and he likes it.

M., when my little guy has had an upset tummy and his bottom is sore from wet wipes I just add some extra baths into the day, that way I can wipe off most of the "mess" then wash off his bottom with fresh clean water ( I keep a cup in the bathroom ) then I can run clean water. 5 minutes of play in the tub is a lot less stressful for him and I and then after he gets out he can have a few minutes of air to help his bottom heal up. The advice about the mats that come with your diaper bag are great because they can be wiped clean, in an emergancy I have also been known to use a towel under the baby because a few extra towels is no big deal as I do laundry everyday anyway = ) It also may sound crazy but wet wipes are sometimes on the dry side and messes on babies bottoms are not always easy to wipe off so I have a spray bottle of water I use sometimes = ) Lots of luck!
B.

Hi, I went through a similar thing. The problem is simple to fix, instead of wiping her bottom, run her bottom under the bathtub warm water, yes, its a little messy, but it works! You will probably notice a few bucks saved too! Its the only cheap suggestion I have.

Good Morning M., Zane 23 months is the same way. He will wiggle and try to escape in a flash. This is silly sounding I know, but I bought some of those pads you put on the floor for a puppy to house train on. Amber never used them, would go everywhere BUT on the pads. They are like the blue plastic sheet pads they give you in the hospital. I have a pretty big bag of them so I pull one out, lay it on the couch, bed, wherever and no Poopy on my carpet, bed or furniture when changing him. If I hand him the wipes container he will lay still better, but it's like changing a Octopus if I don't.
Don't waste a diaper, get some of those at walmart cheap.
If it doesn't get stained or wet you can use it again. ;)

God Bless and Best of everything Lil Mama
K. Nana of 5

Could you just put a changing pad under her. Maybe the one that came with your diaper bag? Then you wouldn't have to buy disposable ones. If it gets messy, you just wipe it clean. Good luck!

Instead of taking her by the ankles to lift her up...could you put your hand on her waist and roll her over....clean her like that??? Maybe her little butt is sore from the loose stools and you need to try some desitin or something else to soothe and protect her.
My only thought would be to distract her...let her be in charge of pulling out the wet ones ( Better to waste a couple of wet ones instead of a diaper). Or do you have some of the changing pads ( don't know if they still exist...I used them with my children back in the dark ages !!!). Those are washable...so you wouldnt really be "wasting" anything. The idea of the potty pads is excellent..you can pick them up in any store that has a pet section...I don't know how expensive they are though. They are big enough that I would think you could start out by cutting them in half so they go twice as far.
Good luck!!!
R. Ann

isn't life challenging? But as parents, we do have to be in charge. I know you want to make allowances for your child's recent illness, but this will pass. Just try for positive reinforcement & leave it at that. The bigger deal you make of it....the more control she has. Bad habit to start!

So here's my useful tool: in my daycare, I use a battery-operated light up toy for difficult diaper changes. A push of the switch & it - not only lights up - but also spins around, lights flash, & sometimes music plays (depending on the unit). These toys can be bought at most toy stores, sometimes at WalMart.

One more comment directed to the other responses: my immediate thought is "wow...I can't believe the extent some of you have gone....even down to physically restraining the child with Mom's own feet....just for diaper changes".
Gee whiz! You're the parent....be in charge & make your child listen. That's not being mean....that's doing your job as a parent!" Please understand that this is said with a smile....

If the poop isnt too messy, let her stand up? We do with my son.

That's a tough one. I do remember having the same trouble! What about a little mirror propped up next to where she lays down so that she can look at herself? I used to try to have special "diaper-changing only" toys, but then they would want to keep playing with it after diaper time.

They make baby disposable changing pads. Babies R us has them & I think Target. But, a bath towel will work as well & is reusable. I have the SAME problem w/my son. Especially during a diaper rash. I can't say I've found a trick but sometimes changing his diaper while watching Barney or other TV show helps. IT doesn't make it easy, just easier. I also agree with the tip of allowing him to hold onto a wipe. I even ask him to wipe his face...... wipe his hand.... wipe his belly button...... etc. Again, everything does not work every time. It can get messy! There have been times I just went to the bathtub after getting most of it off.

Good luck!
J.

I have at times done pretty much what you said, but with a cloth diaper instead of a disposable. They lay flatter anyway, and you can use them to wipe more effectively.

If she's fighting having her legs picked up, I might turn her on her side to wipe the back. Or I hook my forearm under her knees to lift, instead of lifting by the ankles.