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Original poster

How to change nappy when baby is wriggly?

51 replies

lottytheladybird · 15/06/2011 13:44

Hi! Any tips on how best to change your baby's nappy when they want to wriggle around on the changing mat? My 11.5m old DS wants to start crawling around when I change his nappy these days. We have a mobile above his changing mat to keep him entertained. Plus, I give him a toy to play with as well, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. He can't stand without holding on, so changing him standing doesn't really work.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you! Smile

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MotherPanda · 15/06/2011 13:49

Erm... maybe hand and feet cuffs - poke some holes into the changing mat, so you can lock him into place.

Or get your partner to hold him down..

erm...

I'd be very interested to know how you are meant to keep them still...

SilveryMoon · 15/06/2011 13:52

I used stickers with both of mine.
I'd stick one to their arms, or face, or back of hands etc, then for a few minutes, they were trying so hard to get sticker off that it gave me a moment to change them without them moving.

Beamur · 15/06/2011 13:54

Pull ups.
DD went through a wriggly phases too and I switched to pull ups as they were easier to get on.

tigana · 15/06/2011 13:57

...with gritted teeth and determination?

or the sticker thing sounds good too!

beanlet · 15/06/2011 14:09

Bumping for curiosity - I need the answer to this too! DS same age driving us demented with nappy-time shenannigans.

Original poster
lottytheladybird · 15/06/2011 14:11

So glad to hear I'm not the only one finding this a struggle!

The sticker thing sounds great. I'll give that a go next time I need to change DS's nappy.

OP posts:
WorrisomeHeart · 15/06/2011 14:11

Agree re pull-ups, they make all the difference. And having a variety of small noise-making toys to hand can help too.

Original poster
lottytheladybird · 15/06/2011 14:13

A question for those who've gone through this stage with their babies: how long does this wriggly stage last??? Till they're potty trained? (I hope not!)

OP posts:
FoxyRevenger · 15/06/2011 15:16

Oooh pull-ups? I had never thought of that!!!

I don't know how you are meant to keep them still, I can't keep her still for 2 minutes to get her dressed/hair and teeth brushed/anything at all. Every day is a battle joy. Grin

WorrisomeHeart · 15/06/2011 15:23

Umm my DS is 7.5mths and has been a wiggler since birth. The difference now is that he has coordination and intent!! I can't see it stopping any time soon...

QueenofDreams · 15/06/2011 15:32

Um with DS I took to changing him on the floor and putting my feet on his shoulders to stop him flipping over (not hard or anything, just enough to keep him on his back)

Hullygully · 15/06/2011 15:32

sit on them

bamboobutton · 15/06/2011 15:37

i sit with my feet pinning her shoulders down.

Original poster
lottytheladybird · 15/06/2011 15:46

I fear I may get a face full of wee if I sat with my feet pinning DS's shoulders. Still, might risk it! Shock

OP posts:
QueenofDreams · 15/06/2011 16:39

lotty I somehow never did get a faceful of wee doing that. He did manage to wee in his own eye once though!

RitaMorgan · 15/06/2011 16:43

I often resort to pinning them with feet on shoulders too - get it over and done with as quickly as possible.

HipHopOpotomus · 15/06/2011 18:45

Have you tried changing them on/across your lap? Great technique I learnt from our childminder and limits wriggling. Just make sure you have nappy and wipes etc ready to go before hand!

beanlet · 15/06/2011 19:58

Tried the feet on shoulders thing but felt guilty, like I was abusing him (I know, PFB). Will try again now I know it seems to be a tried and tested technique!

rollerbaby · 15/06/2011 20:02

silvery moon that is hilarious. I am definitely remembering that one for when the time comes. I'm only at 7 months so far he grins if I sing at him..

SilveryMoon · 15/06/2011 20:03

It was a tip I picked up here Smile

Bumperlicioso · 15/06/2011 20:03

My 8mo does this and I must admit I'm guilty of pinning her shoulders with my feet too!

Bumperlicioso · 15/06/2011 20:04

Stickers! Genius! And far less like a prison guard Grin

beanlet · 15/06/2011 20:11

Actually, shoulder pinning also deals with his new little habit of sticking his hands in his poo/pulling his willy. Def retrying.

BertieBotts · 15/06/2011 20:11

Feet on shoulders Grin

I used to let DS hold onto the side of the bath or the coffee table and used pull-ups. From 9 months until 18 months, then he started to understand simple instructions and would lie down for me when I asked. He's 2.8 now and will lie down for a poo but for wet nappies he just stands up. I've learned to do normal nappies up while standing now.

PogoBaby · 15/06/2011 20:14

Same as Queen here, DH (SAHD so does more nappies than me) changes hyper active 10mo DD on floor and gently holds her in place with his feet on her shoulder.

Will mention the stickers to him but suspect DD will get bored with that before the nappy is done!