My 10 month old has a paddy every time I try to lie him down

[Lookydo]

Seems like my 10 month old DS has just started asserting his (rather feisty!) personality. Over the last few days, every time I try to lie him down to change his nappy, undress him etc he has a complete paddy, kicking and screaming. I think it's because he's only just started crawling properly so he wants to be on the move all the time. Understandable, I suppose, but has anyone got any suggestions on how to make him stay put? I've tried calming but firmly saying no, and explaining that I just need him to stay still for a bit while I change his nappy and then he can crawl all he wants, but that doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. He was covered in poo earlier and still wriggling around. Ended up having to put him in the bath because I couldn't hold him still enough to clean him up properly! The rest of the time he's a really sunny, sweet-natured little boy. Certainly not a bawler so this behaviour has come as a bit of a shock.

I found that singing during a nappy change or giving a little toy to play with helped as a distraction. It might get easier once this new found mobility is less of a novelty too!

DS was exactly the same at that age, frustrated that he couldn't be off crawling and having fun. Only thing that worked was giving him something to play with and getting the nappy changed as swiftly as possible whilst chatting cheerfully!

Now he's a burly toddler (20 months) he mostly lies there happily reading a book whilst I sort out the nappy end. Altho I do sometimes have to hold him down with my leg just to get it done (please, don't report me )

Distraction definitely. Toys never did it for DS, so I always gave him something he didn't normally have, eg a set of keys he wasn't used to, a small mirror, or some such thing.

Ds is still like that at 18 months and no signs of abating. Distraction only works when he is in a distractable mood.

Nappy changes have become 2 person affairs. Or if not possible, I change him on the floor with one leg draped over his body to pin him down. He has been known to scream the place down, including public toilets. It's brutal.

But he is really lovely at other times, albeit prone to paddies. The more tantrummy they are, the sweeter they can be when they want to, just IME. Enjoy.

Try a staple gun...

The leg-over technique works for us. Lie him down sideways on to you, sling a leg over his tummy and use it to gently pin him down while you change the nappy. DS wriggles and fusses while I do this but usually can't get away. Helps if he has a toy or something to twiddle with too.

Awful isn't it. My 9 month old has just started this. She goes puce and livid! I just try and distract her with anything to hand and do it as quickly as I can. Sometimes tricky with a poo!

How is he at night? Is he waking more? I just wondered if it could be an ear infection or a cold.

If not then try distraction. DD started throwing tantums early too - and still does at 18m. They get worse

I found that by using the coffee table as a changing station she stays put. If I change her on the floor or bed as I always have done she runs away. I put the TV on and she turns her head to watch the screnn [bad mother]. Works for us though

Thanks, everyone. Have tried toys and singing, so onto the pinning down with the leg technique! I just really want to break the habit if possible. He flips himself over the moment I lay him down on the changing mat. He's determined to roll away, even if he wasn't bothered about wiggling anywhere the moment before I lie him down. Grrrr!

Callmeovercautious - He does have a bad cold at the moment, actually. Do you think it's sore for him to be laid flat on his back at the moment?

Once you've ruled out the possibility of cold/ear infection, I would just go with the flow. DS had his nappies changed standing up from when he could stand up. (Takes a bit of getting used to but easier than a cross wriggler IMO) Also he doesn't need to be lying down for you to dress him.

We couldn't even lie DS down in his cot. He would be standing up, usually giggling, when we said good night and left the room and then would lie down and fall asleep in his own time.

Well DD is worse if she is bunged up as it is harder to breath etc.

Hope tha new tricks are helping

Another thought - a friend of mine has this problem with her DS. She moved to pull ups and changing him stood up where possible. For times with more cleaning required she did him on all fours, again with a toy or book to try and stop him crawling off. Sounds rather tricky but might be worth a try!

The leg over trick works a treat! Thank you all so much. I thought he'd fight it like mad but I actually think he finds it rather comforting, like a 'leg hug'! And we can play peekaboo behind my knee so all is well in the world. Thanks for the pull-ups tip, too.

I know I am probably over reacting but could you please not say paddy for tantrum. There are lots of non offensive words available. Thanks. Lots of dcs at this age don't like to be on their backs but it will pass. Honest.

What's wrong with saying paddy?

I remember this when DS started crawling....seem to remember doing my best impression of a totally over the top childrens presenter, singing daft/action songs & doing over the top face expressions worked really well (although you do need to be brave to do it in a public chnaging room like John Lewis )

Paddy derives from the idea that all irish people are mad (Irish=Patrick=Paddy). I know lots of people say it at don't mean any offense but people do take offense. I'm not even Irish so it perhaps shouldn't bother me but my family do have a different racist word shouted at us on occasion which has entered the language as an ok thing to say and its awful to have people speak to you dcs like that.

sorry for hijack

I had no idea that that's where paddy came from! I'm sure most people don't and don't mean to offend anyone!

No offence intended. My wrists have been officially slapped (mind you, I've probably just offended the Slappish people of Slapland, but there you go....)

lol!