Nappy changing nightmare! please help!

[Nellstar]

My 9 month old son will absolutely not lie still to have his nappy changed and now he won't even stand still. Given changing a pooey nappy this is a nightmare. He wriggles out and crawls away and he's pretty strong so they are turning into battle of wills sessions and he's nowhere near toddlertantrumland! Any advice, please help - are pull-ups available for someone his age?

one of these?

Yup I have similar probs with DS2, 13 months.

I've found the only thing that actually gets the job done is physically pinning him down, thus: put him on the floor. Sit by his side with your legs apart and tuck him under one of your knees. His bum should now be between your legs and you can hand him toys to keep him amused while you change.

He may try to roll over but you can pin them down gently but firmly this way, as well as keeping good eye contact.

Unfortunately this is not such a good look if you need to change him in Mothercare.

rofl

Thanks both of you. Shall try gizmo's in a couple of hours when the next battle commences and if no luck, go for talktothebees suggestion. Many thanks. Am a bit of a technophobe and new to mumsnet and don't understand all the abbreviations. What is dd, ds2, etc etc. Apologies for the ignorance.

Be prepared for some outrage, Nellstar. There are many many more interesting things to do at nine months than be pinned down and have your arse wiped.

But courage, mon brave - after about 4 months of this procedure DS2 will now stay put most of the time without me having to pin him down. He only gets really wriggly if I haven't given him something to do with his hands.

I found that giving dd something she had never held before helped to amuse her for a minute or two.

That, and getting very very quick at changing nappies.

try the acronym list nellstar, but beware, soon you will find yourself using them in RL to the bemusement of those around you.

Although I use Gizmo's technique when out and about, at home I use a Rabbits Safety Changing Mat and I swear by it - especialy as I use poppered washable nappies which would be simply impossible to change at the moment without it!! £13.95 on www.rimbalzo.co.uk or search on google. Both my DD's were never really distracted long enough by toys etc and would immediately flip and crawl off with poo trailing behind them - lovely!!

I once overheard dh say to ds when we were going through this "if this is a battle between you and me I am going to win"

Afraid you just have to use brute force until they get over it (may take several weeks/months though) - one day they just decide that its not worth the battle anymore!

Mine has been doing this for a couple of months, sometimes he'll give in sometimes he'll put up a fight and have a screaming session. Sometimes a toy will distract him but a lot of the time, like Nelly, he just gets bored and wants away.

Thank you all, good to hear we're not alone! Will try the lot and take courage that this too, will pass...

LOL - I agree with Gizmo - I occasionally had bouts of hideous changers and the 'over the tummy with your leg trick' worked with the big strong ds and also with wriggly, skinny dd1...and yes, they are indeed outraged!!

Remember, it is indeed a phase - and

Pin them down til they realise they are not going anywhere but DON'T change them while pinning them down - instead repeat 'stay there' and wait til they have stopped wriggling. Then be all happiness and light, praise and give them something fun so they learn to stay there of their own accord. Oh and you don't have to be horrible about it, just firm.

Also, give them lots of warning before you pick them up to do it

But it will pass, my dd was a terrible wriggler (think we have had a few nightmares at bout 7, 10mths, 13mths - and pull-ups only helped when she was standing but not going anywhere ) but she lies down for you easily now (if somewhat pissed off sometimes).