Nappy changing HELP

[tomato22]

SOS.

My 1 yo DS is a strong willed little guy and changing his nappies has become an absolute nightmare. I can just about cope with the wet ones but the poo ones are another story. The phrase shit everywhere is most definitely my life. He is up, down, round and round. Tried changing when he was standing up - nope I'll sit down mother. He can't walk yet but he can certainly crawl and roll. Just now I had to put him in the shower as he was kicking through it trying to get away from me. Now I am also delightfully clattered in specks of it.

I have tried toys, items he wouldn't usually get to look at, using the pinning down techniques, however this boy is houdini and can't be tamed.

Advice please as I am losing the will. If I didn't laugh I'd cry. (Also when does it end!!!)

Changing mat in the bath

And puppy training pads when out and about.
Pull ups can be easier to wrestle back on.

I had a Rabbits changing mat that had soft straps. You sometimes see them in baby changing rooms, most often at service stations for some reason!

I remember this phase, it's torture. You just need to be quite firm, not so much that you hurt them obviously, but no messing about let them know the nappy change needs to be done and no amount of squirming or wriggling it going to change that. Place your arm across their abdomen to kind of hold them in place and use the other arm to wipe. ime they quickly learn to that it gets done quicker if they don't mess about.

Some people also use distractions, favourite toy or a screen.

@tomato22
Google The Wriggler (can't paste the link for some reason.
Game changer.

My 15 month old went through this stage, I think (hope) we’re coming out the other side now. We switched to pull ups, which made things easier (though I actually think we’ll move back to normal tab nappies soon and aim to do mostly standing changes). I also always say “time to change your nappy” and do the baby sign for nappy change, and I think over time that has helped him to know what is about to happen, and made him resist it less. I also always sing the same song each time and that seems to calm him and distract him because then he’s doing the actions rather than fighting me 😅

Solidarity though, it’s such a struggle! Hope things improve for you soon.

No advice as my DC1 went through this until we potty trained them at 26 months, it was a major motivator for us to do it and I suspect it was the same for them as they mostly potty trained themselves within a few days.

DC3 is 21 months and is also still exactly the same, it's an absolute nightmare. Wet ones we usually do standing up and that's quick and not a problem usually tbf but the dirty ones, it's totally horrendous. I don't know how they manage it at nursery as they've told me they're the exact same there (whereas my first was an angel at nursery and with their DGM and only used to do the faff for me and their dad).

So yeah, it's grim and it's worth looking into toilet training then as early as you can if it doesn't abate. My DC2 never went through that phase at all which was bliss.

Thanks everyone, it's honestly a nightmare but glad to hear it's just a (long) phase 😂

Also got a strong willed 1yo!

We have toys for nappy time that he only gets whilst he's having his nappy changed, or give him the nappy cream etc to play with.

Also find it a LOT easier changing him on the changing table than on the floor. There is less space for him to wriggle away and you can sort of use your body as a barrier. Out and about I try to find a bench or something rather than just doing it on the ground as it makes it so much harder if there's space all around to crawl away.

Sometimes singing the wheels on the bus or similar helps as he will wave his hands and focus on the song.

Other than the above, it's still a battle sometimes, seems to be just how it is.

I’ve heard of people using a bubble machine to distract them. This would only work at home unless you’re prepared to add one to your nappy bag of course

My 28 month old son has been difficult about nappy changes for months and we thought he’d be well up for potty training to avoid them. Did not work 🙄 he cried about having no nappy on and begged for one back on 😂 had to abandon after a couple of days as it wasn’t working….he is still just as difficult as he ever was.

Solidarity OP it’s a bloody nightmare. I have no solutions I’m afraid. Mine is usually ok for wees as soon as he realises it’s just a quick wipe but as soon as he clicks it’s a poo he’s howling and wriggling and generally making the process last 3x as long.

My DS is like this (but not for his childminder or my mum ) so we switched to pull-ups and they are marginally easier to wrestle on!

He also seems to behave a little better for nappy changes if he’s on a high surface. Changing him on the floor has become a thing of the past!

sit on the floor with you back against sofa/wall, legs out straight. Put the toddler inbetween your legs and gently hold arms down under your knees, use your legs to stop any rolling, he shouldn't be able to roll if his arms and body are trapped

Practice this position lots but use it for tickles, this little piggy, other songs etc so it becomes a fun position too

I came on here to say that restraint is my only option I’m glad I’m not the only one! I change my daughter sitting next to her and with my leg holding her down. Gets messy otherwise!