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Behaviour/development

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So tired of the physical struggle!

10 replies

PreferredPlanet · 24/02/2011 08:02

Every nappy change, every time I get 12mo DD dressed or undressed it's an unbelievable physical struggle with me pinning her down, usually to avoid her crawling away and covering the floor in poo. But I can't quite hold both her ankles in one hand firmly when I'm wiping her bottom. She just fights every attempt to get her dresesed too.I've exhausted all the interesting toys to keep her attention, and she's even bored of jingling the car keys ... what am I supposed to give her now, a steak knife?!??!

Any tips gratefully received. I have 3 older DC and none of them were anything like this.

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mum2oneloudbaby · 24/02/2011 08:06

Do you have a changing table? I continued to use it for a long time because DD was like this. For some reason the complete removal from one place to another and the specific place changed her behaviour.

If not how about the bathroom floor it's usually pretty dull in the bathroom so nothing to crawl off for.

MsInterpret · 24/02/2011 08:10

Argh. You poor thing. It's not so bad here - sometimes DD (15m) is ok with the nappy change, sometimes not, so my coping strategies are more tailored to it not happening every time.

We have tried: letting her have her morning milk with the first nappy change - maybe a small snack would work for you? Seems a bit gross to eat in the vicinity of poo, but hey, needs must! Also: singing/just generally being reeeally silly to get her attention. Sometimes letting her stand up and have a bash on the wall for a bit before pinning her down again to put the nappy on. Have you tried changing the place you do nappy for a change of scene/attention?

I know you said it's clothes too so these ideas might seem to only address half the problem but wanted to answer you! Can you involve her in choosing the clothes a bit? i.e. which t shirt would you like? Then maybe she'll be keener? Will keep having a think.

noblegiraffe · 24/02/2011 08:56

Have you tried changing her nappy on the floor with one of your legs over her tummy?

PreferredPlanet · 24/02/2011 10:48

Thanks! I've just spotted the other thread about this too, some good tips on there. Will try the leg over the tummy thing. Normally she twists right up into the air, leaning on her neck, which is so alarming and hardly conducive to a peaceful nappy change!

MSinterpret I'll try the choosing clothes thing, though I'm not sure she'll quite understand yet ... worth a go though!

OP posts:
bettlebum · 03/03/2011 21:16

with my two children. I started the nappy changing championships. Id say lets see if we can change this nappy in ten seconds. Then count loudly and slowly to ten adding half counts if you need the extra time. Also adding comments such as Are we going to make it? Then when nappy changed at count of ten. Cheer and say they have won the nappy changing championships and are a winner! It works most of time..

Kazella · 03/03/2011 21:18

I switched to pull up pants for a while since they are easier to put on with a wriggler

socialhandgrenade · 03/03/2011 21:21

My DS is a complete monkey on the change mat, I give him my phone with some video that I have previously taken, he seems to love watching himself...

wearymum200 · 03/03/2011 21:24

DS1 went through a monkey phase like this. Changed him on the floor, with me kneeling above his chest, knees v close to him so he couldn't turn over, or get his arms out to wriggle away. Sounds a bit mean (but didn't actually have to pin him still), but worked a treat.

rempy · 03/03/2011 21:26

Both mine went through a phase of this. Change table def a better place than floor for me too.

They do come through it. Eventually.

AngelDog · 04/03/2011 13:11

Lifting the legs from the side with your arm like this can help.

I do all changes except pooey ones with my 14 m.o. while he's standing / crawling, although trying to persuade him not to cruise off is the difficulty. I use cloth nappies, though - I find it too hard to do with disposables.

I also have a game where I say (slowly) 'The name of the game is... JIGGLE YOUR LEGS!' While saying the last bit I jiggle his legs frantically in a bicycling movement. He thinks it's funny, so will stay on his back in anticipation while I say 'the name of the game is...' The trick is to do the changing / wiping in quick bursts between the leg jiggling. I expect it could work with tickling or similar.

For clothes, I do a lot of 'Where's your hand? Here it is!' which he likes (good for getting gloves on him too).

Distraction with a book or a remote control sometimes helps here, or with a random (safe) kitchen implement rather than a toy. We've exhausted the interest of most of those now though.

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