Is this normal toddler behaviour?

[SadieContrary]

DD age 2.2 is a really easy going, sunshiney natured child. Was rare to hear her ever cry or whinge, however, in the last month or so nappy changing, hair washing and teeth brushing are monumental meltdowns. Is this just a phase? I know people talk about the terrible twos but it's just these three things that never used to faze her, however, now she screams the place down like she's being murdered. I'm trying not to rise to it and just persevering continuing as normal. Any advice?

[MissingTheMissletoe]

Could just be a phase, or maybe teething/nappy rash? DS hates his hair being washed and screams too

[SadieContrary]

I thought her mouth was maybe sore as she'd fallen back at the start of the year and chipped her two front teeth a tiny bit. They were checked by a dentist, they're not sharp and she's eating as normal plus the change in behaviour only started about a month ago so unlikely to be linked to the incident at the start of the year? Nonetheless, I'm taking her back to a dentist on Wednesday to have her teeth checked again.

As for the nappy, she had some constipation around Easter time and I know it was hurting to poo but movicol and a probiotic cleared that up and again, the tantrums (at every nappy change) only started around a month or so ago?

Can't think of any issue which has prompted the hair washing stramash as she adores bath time and never used to bother about getting her hair washed 🤷🏻‍♀️

[IABUQueen]

Mine is 17 months and recently started to hate doing in the bath. Not sure why

[Whitelisbon]

It's all perfectly normal for a toddler.
In a months time, she'll be happy to brush her teeth, have her hair washed, etc, but will refuse to wear shoes, or clothes, or will freak out when she thinks she might have seen a bee, or will lie in the road howling because you can't make it snow.
Toddlers are basically criminally insane mini dictators for a while, with a touch of grenade without a pin mixed in for good measure.

For the time being, don't wash her hair unless you absolutely have to - it won't get greasy, probably yoghurty and milky and chocolatey, but not greasy.
Tooth brushing and nappy changing are non negotiable (obviously), so just do it as quickly as possible, while singing songs, or pulling faces, or whatever you think might help (it won't, but at least you feel like you're doing something to make it easier...). Tooth brushing can sometimes be solved by giving them the choice of the easy way (ie you stand there and open your mouth while I brush), or the hard way (I wrap you tightly in a towel and do it while you scream). If the end result is that her teeth are clean, then you've achieved your aim.
Nappy changing is a bit harder, but pull ups work for some kids, as they don't have to lie down. They're a pain in the arse for you though (she has to be totally stripped from the waist down to get a new one on, so then you've got to dress her again...).

Good luck, we called our youngest Stalin for a while. She's 3.5 now and reasonably normal some days. Still has a bit of grenade in there though!

[hormonesorDHbeingadick]

It was normal for us.

[Sipperskipper]

Going through this too with DD who is 2 and 2 months. Hates teeth brushing, hair brushing, getting dressed, getting out of her cot, her nan (?!) - nan was her favourite person ON EARTH until 3 weeks ago. Also keeps telling me she doesn’t like the dog (usually her best friend) and won’t eat anything I cook.

Is potty trained, but has started weeing on the floor and laughing.

She is also completely hilarious, bright and loving. I feel like in a single day I experience so many emotions!

[Bourbonbiccy]

I feel like we may be starting on this, so I'm watching with interest,

My son is 2 in Aug, but in the last week it's like clothes are the enemy and made of acid. He simply hates getting dressed.

He is potty trained but started trying to wee in the garden, I thought this may have been because the park toilets have been closed a couple of times and he had to wee against a tree, I hope it's not the start of a regression type situation.

She is also completely hilarious, bright and loving. I feel like in a single day I experience so many emotions!
this sums our days up sometimes 😂😂😂

[MustardScreams]

It’s so normal! They’re just starting to figure out independence so everything becomes a battle because they know they can now. Dd went through this phase and I quite often daydreamed about putting my head through a window. It was not fun! I am happy to report that at 2.5 she is now lovely and there’s are much, much fewer battles now.

Good luck!

[RangerLady]

Toddlers are bat shit. Anything could happen at any time. Dd1 was (and is) generally delightful but she had some epic ones. Trying to cut her nails was like you were killing her. Surprised the neighbours never reported us.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Normal- my nearly 2 year old literally screams and does anything to avoid a bath, I’ve switched to showers. Some days everything is such a battle and I swear the neighbours must think I’m murdering her..nope just tryna put on some leggings

[pastabest]

Normal.

We usually find it happens just before a physical or mental growth spurt.

[HoustonBess]

Normal. Those are all intimate, slightly uncomfortable things. She's realising it's her body and claiming the right to say what happens to it. This means life becomes one long negotiation.

Try singing songs or having particular toys she can hold for those tasks. You can get away with hair washing once a week. A new toothbrush works wonders. With clothes I mastered the skill of dressing dd while reading a story so she doesn't notice what's going on!

[Pixie2015]

Sounds normal and a likely passing phase - my toddler like his siblings previously goes crazy if we go near his hair in bath, likes to make poo nappy changes a challenge and for a long time took the horrors if we tried to bath him in the main bathroom!

[Iwanttoredecorateagain]

My son is 2 in Aug, but in the last week it's like clothes are the enemy and made of acid. He simply hates getting dressed

Yes!!!!! And shoes and socks!!!! Mine is 18mo. He now hates the bath so is only in a few mins. Just long enough to wash him.

Also hates his high chair, hates the car seat. He's now picky eating. But even if he doesn't eat much I'm persistent in that he doesn't get anything else or it's a rocky road. He won't suffer if he chooses to miss a meal!!

But he gives me a lot more cuddles and babble recently so it's swings and round about. And yes, as a pp said mine is usually linked to growth.

[SadieContrary]

Right, so she's basically a tiny terrorist and I just need to ride it out!
Thanks all for the reassurance. I'm also shocked the social work/police haven't been to my door with the calamity she causes when trying to undertake any of the aforementioned tasks. I will NOT be beaten by this small person