My baby screams when his nappy is changed

[Terracottasaur]

Is it normal for a baby to really hate nappy changes? My son is 5 weeks old and screams every time we change his nappy. Sometimes I think it’s because he’s just woken up and is hungry, but he cries even when just fed. He gets himself so upset he almost chokes sometimes. He doesn’t have any obvious nappy rash or soreness.

Is this normal? Feel so sorry for the poor wee soul!

[FTEngineerM]

Is he getting cold? Sore back of head? Cold wipes? When does the crying start?

[mynameiscalypso]

Totally normal in my experience; DS is 17 months and still hates it. As soon as it's over, he's fine so I think he's just cross about it.

[Bogardicia]

I’d say it’s normal. Mine does this too.

[MrsBungle]

Totally normal.

[blindmansbluff]

I would probably think he's cold first. Trying lying him on a blanket instead of a changing mat, you can also get heated wipe warmers as they're cold too.

[Terracottasaur]

It might be the cold - he hates to be undressed generally. It usually starts once he’s lying on the changing mat.

[plumpootle]

Normal I think. My DD did this too. She was a small baby - that might be why, I always thought she hated being cold! Can you keep your bathroom or changing area as warm as possible? I think you just have to grit teeth and just do it as quick as poss.

[Thesearmsofmine]

It’s normal, my 3 all grew out of it.

[quarks]

normal

[Mamette]

Does he go to sleep lying on his back or is he still generally falling asleep in your arms?

It could be that he doesn’t like being on his back because he’s having a bit of reflux.

[Indoorcamping]

DS is 18 months now and still does this sometimes. Putting a towel or blanket on the mat helps, as does propping him up a bit with a cushion. He's never liked being laid down flat.

[Ticklemynickel]

Normal. I change before feed as well so get the double whammy of hungry and cold bum.

[Chel098]

Have you got a cloth over the changing mat? Or tried using warm water and cotton wool.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

Normal, I used to put a hand towel on our changing mat so that it wasn't as cold for them.

[Strawberries4days]

My DD did this too. We put a muslin on the mat for her head cause she hates the cold. We also used dummies to distract her too. Now she doesn't care when hey nappy is changed and loves to lie on the mat without dumny. She's 11 weeks now and done that when she was 6/7 weeks. Could try that and see how it goes? Babies hate getting changed for clothes in general lol

[Ohalrightthen]

The single most useful thing that anyone told me about parenting was "put yourself in your baby's shoes"

You're having a lovely snooze or a cuddle, then suddenly you're laid on your back on a bit of plastic and someone is taking your clothes off!? AHHHH!

Not much you can do about it - lots of reassurance, soothing voice, distract with a mobile, go as quick as you can and LOTS of cuddles after!

[BeautyAndTheBump1]

Normal. Mine did at first then he got used to it. Now at 7 months he doesnt cry when changing the nappy, but cries when putting his arms through his sleeves instead 🤦‍♀️😂