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Parenting

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Original poster

how do I change my toddlers nappy if she won't lie down?

41 replies

curlygirl · 21/10/2005 10:23

My 11 month old just won't lie down to have her nappy changed. I have tried making a game out of it and distracting her with toys and objects. This is okay if it is just wet b ut when it is really pooy it is a nightmare as she gets up and then sits on the floor. I put her back down and say no firmly and she laughs. Also she pulls her nappy off as soon as I put it on. Ditto with her tights. It has become a real struggle. It has taken me half an hour to get her dressed this morning, I am not yet dressed as she plays up whenever I put her in her cot or highchair so that I can have a quick shower. I really shouted at her this morning and now I feel like I want to cry because I am rubbish at being her mum.She never does this when she is with her nana, she thinks she is an angel. Anybody got any advice that may make it a bit easier. I am beginning to dread nappy change time.

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Original poster

curlygirl · 21/10/2005 10:26

She has dropped off to sleep in her chair so I will grab a quick shower. I will come back later to see if anyone has any advice for me.

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 21/10/2005 10:38

I change my DS2 on a changing mat on top of a dresser. He does move about, but he can't get down, so at least he's stuck in one place. I do wipe whatever I can grab.

When it's not poopy, using pull-ups solves the problem, some, as they don't have to lie down for any part of it.

Re: showering - maybe she'd be happier "supervising" you?

nailpolish · 21/10/2005 10:41

lie her on your knee?

my 12 mth old is like this and i lie her on my knee while my 3 yr old sings ali-bali

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DinoScareUs · 21/10/2005 10:46

Distract her - singing songs is good, especially one with a countdown like Zoom Zoom. Or keep a few small toys with the changing stuff and only give them to her when she's actually having her nappy changed. Or (if in desperation) stick on a video and let her watch it while you're changing her.

spookylips · 21/10/2005 10:48

my 12 months old is like that too, i just give her my keys (something that she really likes) or put my foot on her body gently to keep her down!!

spookylips · 21/10/2005 10:48

as i gave her a new dolly and as i was changing her poo nappy, she threw her dolly into it too

FangAche · 21/10/2005 10:50

4 wooden stakes in the floor and strong rope ( a la Cowboy & Indian films) usually does the trick in our house.

suzywong · 21/10/2005 11:03

I changed my kids' nappies while they stood up from about 11 months, it's a knack you have to learn and once you get used to it it sure is a hell of a lot easier than power struggles over getting them to lie down and not wriggle

spookylips · 21/10/2005 11:04

suzy - you must put a spell on your kids as ive tried that and baba kept on running off flashing her botty!!

koalabear · 21/10/2005 11:07

i stuck one of those things on the roof that bounced up and down on a spring, so now, he knows he gets to play with the bouncy spider whenever his nappy is changed - i also get him to help me by holding the tube (with cap tightly on) of cream, wipes etc

nailpolish · 21/10/2005 11:08

someone once said give them something they are not normally allowed to play with - your necklace maybe? or an ornament

jersey · 21/10/2005 11:11

curlygirl, have the same prob with 15mth old son. Doesn't do it to dad or mil!!!!

Use pull ups and battle when pooy ones! Sorry not much help.

Original poster

curlygirl · 21/10/2005 11:26

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have already tried most things. Giving her toys and singing songs doesn't seem to work. The tube of nappy cream worked for a while but she is bored of that now, she throws it across the room and then struggles to get up to retrieve it. I have also tried changing the nappy with her standing up but she only stays up until I have taken off the dirty nappy. She then promptly sits down on the floor and smears her poo all over. Sometimes I think she does it to get a reaction out of me. She also like switching the tv on and off over and over. I worry that she is going to break the tv so I firmly say no and take her away from it and distract her with toys. She immediately gets up and does it again, giggling all the way. I put object in front of it but she moves them. In fact, thinking about it, all her favourite things are then things I tell her "no" to. What is the alternative though, ignore it and have a broken tv, poo all over the floor and a cold baby because she won't wear any clothes?[frustrated icon]

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koalabear · 21/10/2005 11:31

the only consolation i can think of is that she wont do that when she's 5

Original poster

curlygirl · 21/10/2005 11:33

By the way, why do tv manufacturers make modern tv's that look really swish in your front room but become completely impractical when you have a baby.They have glass shelves underneath for dvd player etc which are open fronted. Baby shops don't sell anything that you can put across the front to protect a. the baby from injury and b. your dvd/sky. All they sell is video protectors. Hey, should I get a patent on that idea?

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DinoScareUs · 21/10/2005 11:34

No, I wouldn't bother. We got a video protector when DS1 was a baby. It took him about five seconds to rip it off .

freakyzebra · 21/10/2005 11:35

We shower our babies down,rather than try to cleantheir bums lying down. Solves some of these problems.

It's getting a nappy back on that's a nightmare, for us.

Original poster

curlygirl · 21/10/2005 11:42

Great idea freakyzebra. What do you do when you are out though?
Oh no, she's awake! She's probably got another hideous nappy for me, and the whole charade starts again. Wish me luck I'm going in

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freakyzebra · 21/10/2005 11:45

Out & about we do resort to wipes and a leg across the tummy to pin down wigglers (they scream, but what else can we do?).

Have also cleaned bums standing up or with baby lying with their tummy across my lap.

DS2 used to lie still if I sang to him, but doesn't work now. You could try blowing raspberries or putting a toy (or any item, really) between your teeth & playing (like a dog would) at letting baby try to get it. I even growl like a dog would. Baby will give the toy back the moment they get it because they like the game. It's silly, but easier than the leg-pinning.

elitemeetupCOD · 21/10/2005 11:46

upside down someon told em on here once
it works

WigWamBam · 21/10/2005 11:47

Would you consider buying a changing mat with a harness on it? They're quite expensive but they might help if nothing else has.

Oh, and don't worry about the fact that your dd's Nana thinks she's an angel ... that's how all grandmothers see their children. The fact your dd behaves for her is not a reflection on you as a mother; being with her Nana is a novelty so she doesn't play up the same way as she does with you.

pinotgrigio · 21/10/2005 11:48

My DD wouldn't lie down from the age of 10 months. I just used those easy-up nappies instead and did it standing up. It's a bit more of a faff with poo, but it can be done. They can't be pulled off either.

For the clothes, you might have to switch to difficult stuff for a while - trousers & dungarees. You'll probably find she'll forget about pulling off tights pretty quickly if she doesn't wear them for a while.

Remember the mumsnet mantra - it's just a phase!

I always used to take my DD into the shower room with me when I showered. I'd pop a few books/toys on the floor and then get on with it. When she got to the age (about 2) where she could unlock the door and bolt with me stuck naked in the shower I switched to showering at night after she'd gone to bed!

elitemeetupCOD · 21/10/2005 11:48

no upside dwon is the trick

freakyzebra · 21/10/2005 11:59

What do you do, hold them by the legs with one hand & wipe the bum withthe other?
DS2 would scream the place down.. I'm not that coordinated, anyway.

WigWamBam · 21/10/2005 12:00

I presume she means lie them on the mat upside down, not hold them by the ankles ...

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