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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Tips needed to ease toddler nappy-change rage!

30 replies

LaTristesse · 19/12/2011 17:39

DS is 21 months, and used to tell me when he needed a new nappy, bring me the gear and lay down nicely to be changed. Now he's a writhing, wailing monster who I have to wrestle to the ground then pin down for the duration, all the time holding ankles for fear of poo getting kicked everywhere.
I would try pull-ups but his poo is so squishy I do really need to give him a good wipe down all round every time...
But... I'm 6 months pg and can't physically be doing with this fight several times a day, let alone hate having to manhandle him this way.
Has anyone got any tips for making this easier? Please?!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

5318hoho8 · 19/12/2011 17:40

no tips just bellow at him bear with it

obv you've tried the toy-at-nappy-change trick

SaggyOldClothCatPusss · 19/12/2011 17:41

Bribary.

"If you lie still you can have a chocolate button"

WhatIsPi · 19/12/2011 17:43

You carry on with the holding/knee on chest thing, bellowing if needed and eventually they learn that they wont be allowed up and that they have to put up with it.

mrspepperpotty · 19/12/2011 17:47

My toddler likes to stand up for nappy changes - shut the bathroom door so you are contained. I find you can still give a good wipe down if you are quick about it!

Original poster

LaTristesse · 19/12/2011 20:34

Thanks all!

I have tried to do him standing up which works occasionally, but he still squirms and fights me? I want my compliant child back again!

I did wonder whether if I left him he would eventually ask, or at least be more amenable to changing. Really don't want him to get sore though...

I'm assuming it's just a phase and not something that will last til I potty train him?!

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 19/12/2011 20:38

Potty train. Now. It won't get any easier.

(You could try hosing down in the bath if you have a shower above it or even a shower/tap attachment? I used to do this with DS but then he became phobic of it for an unknown but unrelated reason.)

rushofbloodtothefeet · 19/12/2011 20:45

Give him a very sticky sticker or piece of sellotape stuck to the back of the hand, and be quick!

JenniferJJ · 19/12/2011 20:46

It might just be a phase, if you are consistent and firm and he knows that it has to be done then hopefully he will learn that it is just something that has to be done. I remember having a phase of pinning the toddler down to change his nappy, and it often taking two of us when possible, but then it got easier again after a while. Luckily as they get bigger you don't need to change them as often.

Maybe try a special interesting 'toy' to play with, I remember using a tube of nappy cream, something that they only see at nappy time. It can be something that they wouldn't normally be allowed to play with because you will be supervising them closely.

GreyTS · 19/12/2011 20:57

If he is aware enough to know when his nappy needs changing could you face potty training? This is when I started training DD2 - also 6 months pregnant with DD2 - went brilliantly done in 3 days and no regression after baby arrived. 10 months later and still no accidents. Really hated tussling with a toddler and a pooey nappy

sprinkles77 · 19/12/2011 20:58

We have the same here. Things that have helped:
Get everything ready first: new nappy, wipes out the packet, nappy sack at the ready.
special toys - he likes my lipstick
I leave his shoes, socks and trousers on and pull the trousers over his shoes. this massively reduces the kicking.
Accepting that if a bit of poo gets left it's not the end of the world.

DS also does very loose sticky poos, I use the front of the nappy (the clean bit) to scrape the worst of the poo off, I can usually do the rest with one baby wipe. I can do a really nasty change in about a minute.

Lovethesea · 19/12/2011 22:14

If really in need of serious distraction (ie DS with diarrhea this week) put the change mat in front of cbeebies, pin leg to chest and go for it!

PoppyDoolally · 19/12/2011 22:16

Agree. Potty train.

brightonbleach · 20/12/2011 09:43

playing with something they're not usually allowed to touch (mobile phone!) can be a few mins of distraction, they need to be still and use both hands to hold this treasure - mine calls 55555555555555 and shouts herro? herro? and hey presto his bum is clean... or in front of telly, yup; but generally at this age they become a bag of eels at the point of changing, especially if there is a squishy poo to deal with aargh. Mine is 25m and we use pull-ups now which is better/quicker/easier. Not looking forward to potty training next year much though.... we'll see

liger · 20/12/2011 10:07

I'm not sure I would tackle potty training when heavily pregnant and it's winter. You have enough going on and need to minimise bending down to tidy up messes.

My three have all hated nappy changes from this age and I have become expert in speedy standing up changes. As already said leave trousers and shoes on unless it's super bad. Stand them near a low surface like a windowsill or table and give them a book or a couple of cars to drive. Then speed is of the essence. Tuck their undone vest up into the neck of their t-shirt or jumper which also keeps other layers out of the zone. Get loads of wipes out of the pack before you undo the mucky nappy.

Good luck. Must go and do just this very thing.

Original poster

LaTristesse · 21/12/2011 11:58

Thanks everyone! Very glad I'm not alone!

I don't really feel up to tackling potty training yet, partyly because of the pg, but also becuase I don't think DS is ready yet. He might be hating the nappy, but he doesn't tell me yet before he has a poo, only after. And he has never even mentioned weeing. I'd rather leave it 'til I know it's going to be a success! (GreyTS girls seem to be much better at this kind of thing than boys!)

And I'm afraid he already plays with all my precious things, so finding something interesting to hold his attention is quite a challenge.

I try to be as organised as possible, having everything to hand before I start, which does make things quicker on my part at least!

I'll try the confined space and CBeebies! And loving the sellotape idea rushofblood... willk definitely give that a go!

I think mainly I need to up my patience levels and do some deep breathing (although not while the nappy is off!)
Thanks again everyone

OP posts:

ladderinmyxmasstocking · 21/12/2011 12:06

If you change a dirty nappy standing up, get the child to bend over and put their hands on the floor - gives you much better access for wiping and prevents them running away.

BertieBotts · 21/12/2011 12:16

What do you think of the shower idea?

Original poster

LaTristesse · 21/12/2011 14:46

Yeah I may try the shower... does it get it all off?! I usually have to wipe him quite a lot (sticky poos) and can just see myself doing double the work... (or having pooey towels!)

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 21/12/2011 14:58

Ooh it really does! Especially if you make it warm (I suppose cold wouldn't be nice anyway!) - only problem is if they are fairly "solid" you get lumps in the plughole... but if you wipe the worst off with the nappy or with a wipe then the shower works wonders. If you do get lumps in the plughole, baby wipes are usually strong enough not to disintegrate when getting them out, or just poke them with a stick/old toothbrush and concentrate the shower or tap on them and they will disappear.

NellyTheElephant · 21/12/2011 15:01

I used to change them on a changing mat on the floor pinned down by my leg. Kind of hard to explain without demonstrating. Sit next to changing mat to your baby's right, put your left leg over the baby's chest to pin them down and your right leg at right angles parallel to changing mat and your baby's legs - leaves both hands free for nappy change. They didn't much like it but then I didn't much like the wriggling and running off trailing poo so this seemed the best compromise!

lizardqueenie · 21/12/2011 17:54

Im having exactly the same issue with nearly 14 month old DD. She's not walking yet so can't quite run off but today she flipped and flapped and we had poo everywhere.She was upset and I was covered in crap. I decided today was the last straw and bought a changing mat that has straps (they go over the shoulder as oppose to around the waist she has mastered those!) as recommended on another thread. it will either be the best or the worst 25 quid I've ever spent but i am desperate. I actually called the company to ensure they could guarantee next day delivery.

Original poster

LaTristesse · 21/12/2011 20:27

Lizard, let us know how you get on... I have visions of your DD tottering about with a change mat strapped to her back!

Big at Bertie poking poo down the plughole with a stick!

OP posts:

lizardqueenie · 21/12/2011 22:20

Will do LaTristesse! Am so excited about it coming, just hope that it lives up the reviews and that we can nail it to the changing table somehow! How are the methods above coming along for you and your DS?

Just re-read Berties post about the stick/ toothbrush and keep chuckling to myself. It would be of course evil to use your OH's toothbrush although might use mine DH's as the "poo(h)stick" if he annoys me enough!

lizardqueenie · 22/12/2011 18:00

Right so the changing mat arrived this afternoon in a huge flat box- could hardly contain my excitement (so sad!)

Anyway used it for first time after DD's bath and it's bloody brilliant! Looking at the packaging it says it got "the same anti-roll technology as a lady bird" I was like but it worked I tell ya! OkDD didn't like being strapped in but she doesn't like laying down full stop at the mo but it allowed me to properly put her nappy & some bum cream on. I'm sold! Particularly like the fact its got a quick fastening Velcro strap & then a click in strap on top so u can get them in securely & then tie them down

devonshiredumpling · 22/12/2011 22:53

heres my tip my two year old hates nappy changes but if you put nappy rash cream on using the end of the tube after the cleaning and tickle them with the end of the tube saying "doopie doopie doopie" it makes my little one laugh so all i have to say to her is time for a doopie doopie change and she is quite good now. also get your little one to wipe himself after you have cleaned him up (feels like he has got some control ) also what i do is lay the new nappy out flat and tell my little one to splash in it so she will stand up waddle over the nappy and sit herself on the middle of the new one lay herself back and let me do her back up job done anyway good luck

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