Battle (changing) stations

[alicatsg]

DS is 11.5 months now and changing/dressing him has turned into a complete battlezone as he is just desparate to rampage around the house all the time. He's getting upset about being changed so either I have to kind of change him as he moves (not the easiest, esp with a poo-ridden nappy) or spend 10 mins consoling him after I've pinned him down. Distractions work for about 2 nanoseconds.

Anyone got any handy hints? Is this a phase (please tell me it is)?

Its a phase.
Doesn't help when they're doing it though does it. Ds2 (11 months) is just the same, and just doesn't see the fun in being pinned down .

Yes ds did this too. We sometiems used pull-ups as easier to get on than normal nappies. Not really the purpose of pull-ups and they don't hold as much wee as normal nappies but we found it helped.

My tried and tested method was to sit on the floor and pin him down across his chest with one of my legs. It leaves both hands free for dealing with the dirty nappy.

Oh I hadn't thought about pull-ups - what a good idea.

Dh thinks hanging a mobile over his hjead might help but I'm dubious

I give DS something to play with, preferably something that makes a noise, and I keep talking to him/singing and try not to get cross when he tries to get up. I just put him down again and tell him that it's not acceptable and that I have to change his nappy and will do so whether he likes it or not!! Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do, it's gonna end in tears, but he doesn't get off that matt until I'm finished.

He's nearly 13 months and generally good about nappy changes now.... but we still have our moments

BR