Nappy changing nightmare

[tory79]

This has been going on for weeks now - ds (12 months) clicked at some point that actually he didn't have to just lie down and take it, and now he starts howling the second I go to lie him down, and rolls or thrashes so much that I actually can't keep him still and he often escapes. Its become a really really horrible experience. He is slightly better for dh, I guess as he is stronger and finds it easier to keep him down, but for me, its just hideous, he cries and cries. I dread it when he does a poo, at least when its just wet I can do most of it without having to lie him down at all.

I am scared I am hurting him, plus I find that I get really cross and often shout at him to stay still, which makes me feel dreadful. But even when I stay completely calm and do my best to distract him he reacts just the same.

This evening when I was getting him ready for bed I noticed he's got a sore bum as well, which I am sure must be due to the fact that I am probably not cleaning/drying him properly as he moves so much and is not going to be helping him either! He's teething and has been producing even more poo than usual.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?

Give him toys, to distract him?

Ask him to hold the wipes?

Sing to him?

My son was like this...vile. My DD is like this too but weaker so I can manage her. Distraction is good and works to a point. When he is older and standing you could try the hands on the floor bum in the air technique. I don't like that but if he is happier then that's okay. The main thing is a calm explanation of what you are doing. Also key point shoulders and hips and a flat palm on a shoulder can safely stop a wriggle going into a turn and escape....this sounds awful but I think you know what I mean.

Pretty much all toddlers do this eventually. The way I got round it was:

Change him on the floor, sit in front, put your legs over his shoulders (lightly, just enough to stop the twisting) and give him a distraction - keys/toy/remote/phone etc. Then just get in and do the job - nappy off, wipe wipe wipe, cream, nappy on. Done.

Also, pull-ups can be a godsend at this age, do the nasty bit lying down then get him up to put a new nappy on.

You do have to be just a bit determined. The novelty wears off ffor them after a while.

I have tried loads to distract him, toys (just get thrown and then he goes after them) singing,my phone (a prized posession indeed), changing him in different places..... his one and only aim seems to be to get away as quickly as possible. I have tried covering him with one of my legs to pin him down a bit, but hadn't thought of trying it with 2 so I will try that, thanks Pascha

I hate that he seems to find it so distressing, it took him ages to calm down from one this afternoon, he was shaking and sobbing, I felt like the worlds worst mother, but its so hard not to shout when he is seconds away from wiping a pooy bum all over the carpet.

Get the yellow cream for nappy rash. He hasn't got it because of anything you've done, it's linked to teething.

It will get easier, promise.

For DS1 I ended up buying a Rabbits changing mat that has straps as I couldn't get him to stay him one place any other way.

DS2, however, is also a wriggler and he won't tolerate the straps. He gets whatever he seems to want to play with at that time (i.e. a baby wipe to suck, a (clean) nappy to chew etc). I tend to do it in small stages, as keeping him in one place to do the whole thing is neigh-on impossible!

Oooh I've just googled and found this possible saviour I may have to invest!

Hi there my ds was adept at crocodile death roles when nappy changing and I know how exhausting it can be! I found pull ups great as baby can stand up. Also rather than wipes I used Cotton wool and olive oil to clean his bottom. A few drops of apple cider vinegar in his bath helped his skin as well. I kept away from wipes and it really helped. Ds was referred to a dermatologist and all these tips came from him. It s a phase and it will pass but I hope these tips will help in the mean time. Weleda calendula nappy cream was very soothing too. Good luck

My DD is like that as well, I put the TV on and change her on the floor. She doesn't have TV at any other time so it's still a novelty to her and distracts her for a few minutes while I change her.