Newborn screaming during nappy change

[BritishBeef]

Any advice on how to stop my DS screaming the place down every time he has his nappy changed?

He's just under 3 weeks old. We use a folded muslin on his changing mat so it's not too cold but can't stop the screaming - he gets into such a state you'd think we were torturing him.

Thanks for any help, my DW and I appreciate it!

Have you tried keeping him covered with a towel or a muslin? DS didn't like being in the nude and it worked for us. We also used a twinkly toy that had a light show (was meant to go in the cot we never used) and that helped too.

Try and:

Get everything ready before you lie him down.

Use cotton wool and warm water or washable wipes and warm water - nicer than a cold baby wipe.

Sing or talk to him quietly the whole time. Hang a toy or mobile over the changing mat or table for distraction.

Be as quick as possible and don't panic if he starts to cry - keep talking in a soothing voice.

Don't change him more often than it really needs doing - obviously if he's pooed you need to, but I remember with my first baby I changed him about 12 times a day and he really didn't need it!

Remember it's not forever - IME they get used to it pretty quickly and don't cry as much when being changed.

I used to find putting my face nice and close and looking straight into DS's eyes, maintaining eye-contact while constantly talking to him in a reassuring voice helped calm him down when he worked himself into a frenzy.

Oh god - I'd forgotten all about this! My sister bought us a Mamas and Papas duck, with a beak that you squeezed, and it played one of 3 tunes each time. Out of desperation with screaming child when dressing after bath, we stuck the duck next to her, and just kept squeezing that damn beak! Worked like a charm, and became known as the Dressing Duck.

Music always seems to distract her, especially if she can see where it's coming from. She now loves her Fimbles radio (about a fiver from Tesco), and it too can stop a screaming fit in its tracks. If you have any musical toys, it may be worth a try...

Keep him warm and covered. Use cotton wool and warm water instead of cold wetwipes.

Most likely, he just hates being uncovered and cold. All of mine did.

hold his hands still, all babies I think (well all mine) screamed the palce down when undressedI always said you'd think we were sticking pins into him the way they screamed.
BTW it goes at about 10 wks, well I think it does, well ds2 is 6 mths now and delights in being naked

ps we used warm water and he still hated it

we used to start talking to and playing with dd as soon as we put her on the mat then maintain eye contact throughout --just brief glances at the real job. iyswim

with ds the only thing that worked was placing a muslin or face cloth over his face.

and just remember that important parent's mantra....Its just a phase....its just a phase......its just a phase

Oh god my first did that. It is horrible, it feels as if you are violating the wee baby.

Make changes as quick as possible with easy clothes so pull on trousers instead of loads of poppers.

he is too wee to see much but a mobile above the mat sometimes helps. Sing, loudly if necessary, it at least helps you feel as though you are doing something to make it better for the wee one.

You will be amazed at how quickly you can change him in a few weeks.

Facecloths quicker than cotton wool too.

Does he have a very strong startle reflex? My DD1 did and the whole lying on her back thing was hell for the wee mite.

How is he with baths?

DS was exactly the same. So hard. Dejags post wd be my advice exactly. It will pass.

How do you keep him covered AND change him??!!

Keep most of him covered and do what you can under the muslin, just lifting when absolutely necessary. Also, the more confident you seem, the less he will fuss IME.