8 mo won't keep still and cries when dressing/changing him

[BritishBeef]

My DS is 8 months old and trying to dress him or change his nappy is a real battle. He always rolls onto his front and tries to crawl away when I try to dress him or change his nappy. If I try and keep him still he just starts crying which, if I don't let go of him turns into full-on screaming. It's so hard to do up the many poppers on a sleep suit when he's rolling over constantly. I've tried dressing him once he's rolled over but he just tries to crawl away. Standing him up doesn't help as it upsets him too. I've tried toys etc. to distract him but that only ever works for about 10 seconds. Is this normal and just one of the many 'phases'?

Yes normal! DS is 12mo and is a nightmare, he wants to be climbing all over the bathroom all the time, flushing the toilet, peering into the bath, you name it.

I do try toys but sometimes something 'illicit' works as a distraction better - something he's not 'supposed' to have, the pack of wipes, a toothbrush, anything that's not 'his' that he can explore'. Worth a try?

V normal, my 15mo still does this.

You need the 'legover' move. Lie him down on his back and sling a leg over his tummy to gently pin him down while you change the nappy or wrestle the clothes on/off.

oh yes, just a phase (which, ime goes on for quite a while!)

dd2 started doing this at around 7-8 months, and is stil doing it now at 15 months...

dd1 did it too, for some time, but thankfully no longer does, so it does stop at some point!

My ds has always cried wen undressing him and changing his nappy. He's 9 months old now and is still like it! He just hates being restricted. I had no idea it was so common though. Glad to hear it will stop at some point though cos it drives me bonkers!

My 8 month old ds is like this - he rolls over and crawls off if I give him a second. I distract with toys and agree with flowerybeanbag that things they aren't meant to have are far more effective. Packets of wipes are the current fave.

I just keep turning him back over and try to remain grateful I have such a lively little boy!

Yes, exactly same here at 8.5 months and never used to mind it when younger. On bad days she screams when put down on the changing mat before anything's even happening.

DH and I were discussing whether gaffer tape or velcro tabs to secure her to the mat would be acceptable in order to prevent poo-spreadage.

My 9mo ds is exactly the same, i dread changing him and dressing is almost totally when it comes to putting trousers on! I've almost given up at times! One thing i've found that works in the last few days is singing "the wheels on the bus" non stop for the whole process! He seems to love it and actually keeps still and watches me!

My 8mo ds is exactly the same.

The Scooby Do Where Are You? song
stops him in his tracks though.

It's great...I've Sky+'d a few and just replay
the titles whenever I need to change or dress him

I throw a muslin over ds's face, and play peek a boo. He's underneath smiling away not noticing the delay, try it

Yep, another sufferer here. He's two now and things are finally getting better. I had to chase him round the room for about a year, even before he could walk.

Be careful with the singing - I started singing This Old Man to DS and later DD for nappy changing - I changed the words a bit, so 'he played one- he played nick nack on your tum' (tickle tummy) two/shoe (tickle foot)three/knee etc. They both loved it, but unfortunately it stuck & soon I found I was humming it when I was doing housework or anything boring - DS is now 20 & I still hum it - drives DH nuts!

Thanks for the replies - hilarious!!!!!