All hell breaking loose at nappy change

[bubblybrit]

Over the last week my 18 month old has had a tantrum each time I go to change her nappy.

She cries, punches, kicks and will only settle if you leave her to wander around her nursery. She seems to think it’s some kind of game. She’s also a nightmare when I’m
trying to get her dressed. The combination of both makes getting her ready for nursery a complete nightmare!

I’ve just bought nappy pants as at least I can pull those on whilst holding her but it’s not pleasant when she’s had a dirty nappy and fights with you when you are trying to clean her. She doesn’t seem to do this at nursery so frustrating that she has now started this routine at home.

I’ve tried the following:

1. I’ve let her wander around her nursery for 10 mins before attempting to change her nappy/dress her. Thought this would give her time to explore and then she’d be more settled when changing her....evidently not!

2. tried to distract her with music, toys or singing. Throws the toys away in complete frustration.

3. my husband has tried to change/dress her in the morning. Thought a change of routine might knock the tantrum out of her (I usually look after her before nursery as my husband works from 5am) but she still reacts the same way

4. brought her downstairs in her pjs and overnight nappy to give her some breakfast and/or milk before attempting to change/dress her. This doesn’t make any difference.

What else can I try? I dread the mornings this now as it’s so full on! I’m in a complete rush from 6am until I return home around 8.30am. I then have 15 mins to make a cup of tea before I start work in a fairly stressful job so would like mornings to be as stress free as possible 😀

Both my DDs did this, it was awful but after a few months of misery they grew out of it. No real advice but you will get through this.

Thanks all. For those saying to change a nappy on your knee - how do you actually do this? Sorry must sound like a silly question but wouldn’t know where to begin!

I am hoping it’s just a phase as we had a lovely, calm routine in the morning which has now descended into madness.

Both my kids did this around a similar kind of age. I think it’s just a phase. Although a horrible annoying one.

To be honest I never really found much helped, just grit your teeth and do it fast, ignoring the screaming and then it’s done. They do grow out of it. We always used a changing table and I found that easier as they couldn’t run away. Was always a nightmare anywhere other than home though.

And yes I watched in total amazement one day when DS had a nappy changed at nursery and he just lay there without moving at all

I’d try doing changes standing.

For the morning, what about pulling off the nappy standing in the tub. Then quick bath or even a mini shower if you have a wand. Start the day clean and maybe the change in routine would break the adversarial pattern of the moment.

Oh no, sorry the keys etc didn’t help.

Does doing in front of the TV not help?

Or failing that, a biscuit, rice cake, bear paw etc I know not ideal but needs must!

We made it in to a game when DD went through this phase,

"Oh, You don't want a nappy on, okay i'll put it on then! Does it go on my (name a random body part and try and put it on)"

She would think it was funny any eventually show us where it was supposed to go on her. Sometimes took a little time still but with laughing rather than a melt down

One of my sons is like this (first born) didn’t know what a luxury it was when the other one came along and just lay there, same with changing clothes.
All depends on his mood how much he fights me off but I’ve found speed and asking him to point things out in the room help me out

So DD just escaped my grasp mid- nappy change by performing a flip and roll manoeuvre that Simone Biles would have been proud of. Had to clamp her between my knees in a standing position to clean her, during which she accidentally (I think...) delivered a sharp head-butt upwards to my chin.

Have a baby, they said. Be fun, they said

@PopcornAndWine So funny, what a rascal! 😂 Accidentally, you tell yourself that.. 😏

My DS has been like this 6 months and is now 19 months. Sometimes singing to him works or distracting him by letting him hold random objects. I’m holding out for potty training.

@PeachPotato that's advice to keep in a drawer till needed - invaluable. Thanks!

If she is interested I would lay her down and give her your phone to play with. At this age they often love a phone and it keeps them still enough to do a quick change.

I used to lie them on the floor while I sat on the sofa with everything to hand. One hand on ankles and a foot on each shoulder pinning them down. Noisy but short.

We had another meltdown this morning but managed to get her dressed in front of the tv rather than in her nursery....was distracted for all of 5 mins so had to act quickly.

She was a little angel at bed time...bliss....not holding my breath for tomorrow morning though....phone, purse, rice cake etc on standby 😂

Knee changing... my youngest is 9 so trying to remember.

You sort of position them on your knee with bum just over it. Use left arm/ your body to pin their body down and left land to grab their feet. Right arm free to clean. I think. Not sure I could do it now.

Mine has been like this off and on since he was very young - he's a massive wriggler, always looking for the next thing to mess with. It's just getting more and more difficult now he's 18 months and very strong - I honestly think he's stronger than me sometimes!

I have no new advice - we use interesting toy, phone, or I find counting sometimes distracts him, weirdly. With both of us WFH we can call for back up. But I thought feeling frazzled after changing/getting them dressed was normal! 😁

I brought the over cot changing table back out for this purpose and said - ‘stand still, or on the table’. If she didn’t answer I started changing and if she moved she went straight on the table. Pinned her down, was very quick and firm but soothing.

Hasn’t solved the problem though, as she’s calm while on the table but a hellion when I try to change her anywhere else!!!!