How do I discourage this?

[butterfly_warrior]

Sam's a very long baby... if I put him where I can reach him without bending over the change table, I end up with him slamming his feet into my stomach. Unfortunately he's also a very strong baby and this is enough to not only push me off balance, but it's really hurting.

If I move him further away, I end up having to lean over and that hurts my back... and usually allows him to kick upwards at me and puts me in prime line for a shower during change times that I could more than do without!

I need to discourage the kicking, but how?

I've been trying to just hold his feet down on the change table and say very firmly "no", but at not even 6 months old, Sam seems to think this is a game and he just laughs. I know he's not doing it to be deliberately disobedient, but it certainly feels like it some days!

So... how do we convince a 5 and a half month old baby that kicking mummy in the stomach during change times is not a game and not something we are going to continue?

BW

[Arimeh]

Change him on the floor

[butterfly_warrior]

If it weren't so difficult to get this arthritic body up and down...

BW

[Arimeh]

Hmm. Good point.

I just know it worked here cos both kids started doing it when I was pregnant with the next one - and it really really hurts.

So we always change on the floor now cos it doesn't matter if they kick the floor - doesn't hurt me!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Could you change him on the side, rather than at his feet? I only say this because that's how my sister's change table is set up, coz Jack is a VERY kicky baby - this way he can kick to his hearts content, and we don't hafta check for bruises after!

[butterfly_warrior]

The change table is on top of a set of drawers - if I stand to the side I've got an open drawer where the wipes and nappies are between me and him.

I'm not making this easy, am I?!

He never does it to DH - apparently only mummy is worthy of the legs drawn up and then slammed into her tummy!

BW

[Kazbah]

Change on the side - it's easier when they get older too. I use my chest of drawers too, and I just pull out a nappy and my damp wipes before I start to change him - having the drawer open can put the drawers off balance a bit (unless its anchored to the wall)

Also distraction works well - a bit of baby cream / moisturiser (moogoo in my case!) on their fingers is a huge distraction as they play with the sensation of it. And a pull toy playing a tune within his reach ... also remove shoes etc ... arms can be kept at bay by folding their shirt over their elbows ...

good luck!

[butterfly_warrior]

So basically the only strategy at this age is avoidance, there's not really much I can do to teach him that it's not ok yet?

It just seems that anything that gets Sam excited gets those darn legs kicking!

BW

[MantaRay]

Yes - avoidance and distraction! At this age it's not "bad behaviour", it's learning and exploration etc.

[Heaven]

I have the same problem but I'm shorter so I get it in the boobs, ouch!

[butterfly_warrior]

Yes - avoidance and distraction! At this age it's not "bad behaviour", it's learning and exploration etc.

I was afraid of that. I know it's not bad behaviour (keep reminding myself of that on the bad days!), but it's just that he responds to EVERYTHING by kicking his legs, so there's not really any way to distract him from the kicking.

I have the same problem but I'm shorter so I get it in the boobs, ouch!

Big ouch there!

I think I'm just going to have to aim for the super-speedy nappy change and dodging the kicks for now!

BW

[Kazbah]

Is he touching his toes & feet yet? Maybe you could encourage him to play with his feet - and keep repeating a couple of words ("gentle" works for me, or "don't hurt mummy").

I find that "you hurt mummy" has been working since he was about 18 months old and then saying "hug mummy better". At six months, I don't think my son had any idea about consequences or pain or hurt ... so unfortunately, advoidance.

[Madissun]

DS does it to me too...And he's almost 2 years old! I change on the floor too...but he still kicks and thinks it's funny. And it bloody hurts! Im hoping it'll just stop being funny soon

[butterfly_warrior]

He's just starting to grab at his toes. He always seems to hold his feet up for DH, during nappy changes... Do you think putting his feet in his hands might work? I guess I can give it a shot...

I think the thing that bugs me most is not so much the kicking, but every time I say no, or "don't kick mummy" or something like that, he laughs! I think it's probably because my firm voice is very close to the growly voice I use when playing with him... and he always laughs at that (and I'm actually REALLY relieved now that I've figured out what's triggering the laughs!)

BW

[Kazbah]

I put pip's sock ends in his hands and he would try to pull them off - hours of fun

[Inanna]

At Sam's age babies kick as a developmental thing. It's normal and he isn't able to understand no kicking... I just give them a toy to hold - make faces and be fast!

[butterfly_warrior]

I just got through the last nappy change with only one kick to the stomach! I put his foot in his hand and that was enough - he still tried to kick with the other, but because he was curled up to hold on, it was aimed straight up, not into me.

For now, I have a solution! Thanks so much for the suggestion, Kazbah.

BW

[Curly]

Have a mobile above the change table or give him something interesting to play with and hold while you are changing him.

It helps if the "something interesting" is not a toy! A hairbrush, a sock or a shoe will hold DD's attention for far longer than a rattle. This tactic also worked for DS. He had very long legs and loved to kick me in the tummy too. DD just rolls...this is the only way I can keep her on her back long enough to get her nappy changed.