Nappy change issue

nappychangedilemma · 2021-09-17T08:58:03+00:00

Hi, My son has started nursery recently. Since he was 10 months, he has been in pull up nappies as he hates lying down to change nappies. The nursery has told me that they will only change his nappy with him lying down but this means that my son isn't happy and they are forcing him to lay down. Could someone please confirm if the nursery is only allowed to change a nappy with the toddler lying down? Thanks

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MindyStClaire · 17/09/2021 10:01

I don't know the rules, but they will have a specific place for nappy changes to take place, which is likely to be off the ground. They won't want a nappy off outside of that zone because of the need for cleaning if some wee or poo escapes. Much easier to have them on a changing table where it's all contained and wiped down etc.

They're wizards at it though, they can change a nappy in about a tenth the time I can, and will be well used to distracting reluctant participants! You might find it easier to send the normal nappies that open as then they won't even have to undress him.

LadyDanburysHat · 17/09/2021 10:02

It will likely be a health and safety issue for the nursery, and honestly I think you have been too soft by putting him in pull ups. It is much easier to clean properly when a baby is lying down.

And a nappy change doesn't take long, it won't scar him for life.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 17/09/2021 10:02

Surely each place has their own policies? This doesn’t seem like a huge deal tbh / surely this only happens twice a day or something and he’s unhappy for a minute or 2 🤷‍♀️

Fupoffyagrasshole · 17/09/2021 10:04

I’d say staff can’t be bending down to change either like others said health and safety - they probably need to have him up on a table at a certain height so they don’t strain themselves

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 17/09/2021 10:06

Children behave different at nursery and at home. It is likely the case that he’s fine lying down for a nappy change and nursery. And if he isn’t to start with he’ll get used to it.

SalmonLeaps · 17/09/2021 10:15

The nursery will have to take health and safety into consideration.

The changing space will not have been designed for children in pull ups. It’s far too dangerous for a child to stand up on the changing table and have their nappy changed.

If a child has ASN, it would be reasonable to expect alternative arrangements in place to accommodate personal care.

Nurseries can’t accommodate each and every parental preference unless there is a very strong reason to do so.

For example, some parents let their children watch IPads during meal times, but one wouldn’t be set up for them in the nursery.

NerrSnerr · 17/09/2021 10:20

They won't be able to have him stand on the changing table as it's too dangerous and they won't want the staff bending down to change a baby because manual handing and trying to preserve the backs of the staff.

WhyOhWhyOhWhyyyy · 17/09/2021 10:26

I wouldn’t necessarily assume that he is unhappy and they are forcing him to lay down, small children tend to behave very differently for nursery workers than for their parents.
At home my DD fights against every nap time, nappy change and meal I offer her, but is apparently an absolute angel at nursery. I’m convinced the nursery staff have some kind of magic powers.

10ColaBottles · 17/09/2021 10:33

How do you know he's not happy doing that at nursery. ? Are they reporting his distress at these times. ?

If not, you are being a precious I'm afraid.

HunkyPunk · 17/09/2021 10:48

Apart from health and safety considerations (we have changing tables in designated areas - you just can’t have staff bending over/kneeling down on the floor, in the way of others and possibly straining their back), it’s next to impossible to clean a child properly when they’re standing up. If a child is in nappies, they should be lying down to be changed. Some parents seem to think it’s more ‘grown-up’ to have their child standing for changing, but it’s really awkward!

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 17/09/2021 10:59

The thought of changing a 'poo explosion' with baby standing is grim for all involved. I'd put your DS back into proper nappies. Pull ups are for when they are trying to potty train.

MindyStClaire · 17/09/2021 11:13

@HunkyPunk

Apart from health and safety considerations (we have changing tables in designated areas - you just can’t have staff bending over/kneeling down on the floor, in the way of others and possibly straining their back), it’s next to impossible to clean a child properly when they’re standing up. If a child is in nappies, they should be lying down to be changed. Some parents seem to think it’s more ‘grown-up’ to have their child standing for changing, but it’s really awkward!

I'm really glad to hear you say this - I could never figure it out but thought that was just me being a bit useless. Glad to hear a professional say the same

Original poster

nappychangedilemma · 17/09/2021 11:43

Thanks all. I fully understand the health and safety issue and the manual handling involved with bending over etc for nappy change. I just wanted to find out whether other nursery be more flexible initially with the toddler whilst they are settling in.

@10ColaBottles - the nursery are reporting him being distressed.

@HunkyPunk - we tried different ways to still do a nappy change with him laying down for a few months but nothing worked. It was definitely not because we thought he was "grown-up".

Thanks all again as you have all been helpful.

OP posts:

10ColaBottles · 17/09/2021 11:46

I hope you get it sorted OP

Tibtab · 17/09/2021 11:47

My DD is 18 months and has been in pull-ups since she was about 11 months as we found they were a better fit for her.
She will lie down for nappy changes though so maybe that’s why our nursery doesn’t mind.

MindyStClaire · 17/09/2021 11:48

Try traditional nappies if you haven't OP, our nursery just pull the trousers down around their ankles so there's no getting undressed, speeds things up a bit.

Original poster

nappychangedilemma · 17/09/2021 12:06

@10ColaBottles - thanks. We will discuss with the nursery and maybe they might be able to give us other ideas that we haven't thought of to get him used to laying down for a nappy change.

OP posts:

yikesanotherbooboo · 17/09/2021 12:27

If I were you,I would support the nursery by insisting he lies down for nappy changes at home as well. It is in your baby's interests to do so . I understand that it can be quite a carry-on battling with a little one over this type of thing ( see also giving medicines) but it is in their interests and sometimes one just has to get on with it.

Looneytune253 · 17/09/2021 12:46

It's not about 'being allowed' but it's much easier to change normal nappies. Pull ups are useless. I would let them, if your son is genuinely distressed (but I do bet that's something he just saves for you it's just a tantrum there's nothing wrong with him) I'm sure they'll rethink it.

I'm a childminder and ask the parents for normal nappies (unless there's a genuine need for a child to use pull ups) and I've had parents say before that they 'won't' lie down for a change and they always always do and they're absolutely fine, they just know how to play their parents.

jannier · 17/09/2021 23:14

Nappy change takes 2 minutes pull ups mean shoes off trousers off can't wipe properly standing so need to lie down anyway then a total redress. If you play with baby they lie still. My mindees get the mat out pull down trousers and lie down cooperate by lifting legs up etc....but parents say they hate lying down.

00100001 · 17/09/2021 23:21

How do you clean his bottom properly with out him lying down?

unvillage · 17/09/2021 23:56

He will get used to it. Even if it becomes only a thing that happens at nursery - he will learn that it's different from at home. Same as he will learn the nursery routine is different from the routine at home. This won't traumatise him. He's likely to be in nappies for a while yet so please give the staff who care for him a bit of leeway.

WavesAndLeaves · 18/09/2021 00:06

Clearly PPs do not have a child who will genuinely not lie down for a nappy change. My 13month old son is in full on tears if you lie him down for a change and has been since about 7 months - standing up became the only way we could do it. Fortunately our childminder is accommodating of his needs, rather than upsetting him several times a day. It's not a tantrum, it's proper distress. I don't use physical force on my child unless it's a safety issue, no way would I hold him down (or let anyone else) just for a nappy change. Hope you can find a solution OP, but tbh I think nursery need to find a way

jannier · 18/09/2021 13:40

@WavesAndLeaves
I've had plenty of children who kick off and won't lie down for parents uts becouse they know they can not trauma. Life's a lot easier for lo if they are used to it for nappy changes when it comes to eye drops sand in the eyes, medical treatments etc and you don't then have to resort to pinning hands with legs or blanket whilst giving first aid....much more 5raumatic. Would you let them say no at bed time or getting in the pushchair/car seat or eating so you thenplay the run around dancing game?

00100001 · 18/09/2021 14:20

@WavesAndLeaves

Clearly PPs do not have a child who will genuinely not lie down for a nappy change. My 13month old son is in full on tears if you lie him down for a change and has been since about 7 months - standing up became the only way we could do it. Fortunately our childminder is accommodating of his needs, rather than upsetting him several times a day. It's not a tantrum, it's proper distress. I don't use physical force on my child unless it's a safety issue, no way would I hold him down (or let anyone else) just for a nappy change. Hope you can find a solution OP, but tbh I think nursery need to find a way

My son went through a phase of not wanting to lie down.

But he still had to for his safety and the ability to clean him properly.

I'm not entirely sure how you clean all the crevices when they're standing up...