How to stop a baby squrming etc while changing & dressing

[danniellabella]

My DD is 9 months and recently learnt how to go from back, to tummy, to sitting, to standing all in one very quick motion. The trouble is that she does this when I'm changing and dressing her. Now I've started getting creative with dressing her but I'm struggling with changing her and have on a few occasions had to call for DH to come and help me.

I get the nappy off, wipe her bum but then as soon as her bum is clean she flips over onto her tummy and either tries to sit/stand up or crawl and reach for things and almost falls off the change table.

She gets so upset while I'm trying to put the nappy on or her clothes on because I'm stopping her from moving around how she wants.

She's too young to understand the concept that it's time to put clothes on or a new nappy on now so we have to lay still. I try to make it fun and talk to her or sing to her but there are far to many other distractions going on around her. I've also tried taking her into the lounge so she can just lay on the floor watching TV which works until the kitten comes in and then DD is off like a rocket to play with the kitten.

Please help, I'm sick of fighting with her just to get a nappy on!

[{sarah}]

Sticky tape apparently is wonderful for nappy changes!! We never had to use it but lots of mums swear by giving bub a piece of sticky tape to play with

[Liz]

The strap on the change table has been our saviour! I hate changing her on the floor or bed for that very reason

Sticky tape would be a bit dangerous wouldn't it? hehe. Altho I have found that giving them something they wouldn't normally be able to play with works. A normal toy doesn't do a thing, but give them your mobile phone or something and I think they lie there stunned that they got given it to play with! LOL.

[Brunette01]

When I read this I thought you were suggesting taping her down!

[Kmn]

I put bub on his tummy for nappy off and bum wipe - he's less wriggly then. And flip him over for new nappy on. Sit him up to put a top on him. Carry him to put pants on.

We have a toy on a spring over his change table that works for a few seconds - as does singing. But he now wants anything that is on the table (including the used nappy) and will try and go and get it.

I think I am going to have to start changing him on the floor.

[catherinemoses]

I think I am going to have to start changing him on the floor.

KMN. Whenever I change Flynn on the floor he is so quick to roll over no matter weather the poo has been wiped off or not!! If I'm doing it on the floor I definitely need a second pair of hands!!

[Kmn]

KMN. Whenever I change Flynn on the floor he is so quick to roll over no matter weather the poo has been wiped off or not!! If I'm doing it on the floor I definitely need a second pair of hands!!

I think we will have the same problem - hopefully with a big towel on the floor I can get him wiped before he reaches the carpet!

[Ezz]

The toy on the spring is good. Also playing with a baby wipe (DS loves to pull them out of the container).

[danniellabella]

At FDC there is a toy on a spring which my DD loves. Since starting this post I've taken to giving DD an unopened baby powder bottle to play with and she's been fine with that. I sit her up to put her tops on and get her legs into her pants, then stand her up while she gives me a cuddle to pull up her pants. It's just the nappies that are sometimes the hard part.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with this problem though and am looking forward to seeing many many more suggestions.

[PinkPalace]

you know i had a dreadful time with this when DD was about 8-15 months.
I tried everything, books, stick tape, mobiles, music, toothbrush - all worked for a while then faded and i though omg i am never going to be able to change her without her being still!

they she just stopped.. and would lay still and still does.... mmmm hopefully this will happen with you too one day!

[danniellabella]

Thanks girls. I might try the sticky tape thing first of all.

I would love to be able to strap her in but we don't have a strap change table...DH suggested getting some rope and tying her down LOL

[fionas]

I feel your pain! Apart from the suggestions the other girls have come up with, if DD only has a wet nappy I sometimes change her on my knee with her sitting up. I think it's the being made to lie down that's the main problem.

[catherinemoses]

When I read about the sticky tape I immediately thought you could somehow tape them to the change mat!!! Oh dear!
We don't have a proper change table. We have a bookshelf over a large set of drawers. so just the mat sits on the drawers and the shelves are above that. I helps with the rolling cos there is nowhere to go. He does try and sit up but it is easy to push (gently!!) him back down again.
The powder container usually entertains him long enough.
I do wish I had a strap on the mat. Maybe I will sew one onto it...
GL

[danniellabella]

When I read about the sticky tape I immediately thought you could somehow tape them to the change mat!!! Oh dear!

That's a great idea

[Liz]

Catherinemoses - so did I LOL. I had visions of duct tape strapping the baby down LMAO.