Nappy change frustration . . . HELP!

Hi there, my 1 year old DD is a fantastic tanty chucker. She has never been a fan of getting dressed or undressed but lately she has decided she does not really like getting her nappy changed either. I have tried to make it a fun experience, singing and talking to her/giving her something to hold and play with etc but I just can't seem to escape the wingeing and thrashing and constantly trying to sit up or roll over performance that she has decided to do each time we head for the change table. Not good when it's a pooey one, and it seems to take forever to get a nappy back on her. I'm getting increasingly frustrated with this.
Any idea's please???

Sorry, I can't help you but I will be looking at the other replies as we have some shockers sometimes (like this morning - I was very tempted to just let DH deal with her)

I have no kids, so I probably don't know anything, but maybe this is a good time for toilet training?

DD hates being change at moment but doesn't wriggle - just cries. It's like I'm murdering her rather than changing her nappy and clothes!! My best friend's son used to wriggle away all the time but I found that if I cahnged him while laying on his lay-out couch in front of a Wiggles DVD he was intersted in looking at that and not moving. Good luck!!

DS1 does this as well. I have found that saying no in a firm voice while holding his legs so he can't move works for about a minute. This is great if it is a pooey nappy as I can get him clean before he starts thrashing around again. Also giving a treat if he behaves himself works as well. The treat can be playing on the swing, playing with blocks or getting some sultanas (all of which are his top 3 things).

My absolute last resort is putting him on the ground without putting on a new nappy or pants and walking away. He hates going 'commando' so chases after me to put his nappy back on. I try not to do this too often as he gets a little upset.

I've started using the seatbelt on the changetable. He used to get really cranky - but now I tend to give him a noisy toy (eg. bells inside a drink bottle) & that distracts him a bit.

It is really common around that age - DS went through it - not so bad now.

I would change him on the floor (change tables give me the jitters just in case they roll off with all the thrasing around) and tuck his legs under my armpits and lean in close (doesn't smell the greatest thou!).

You have more control over them in that pose. If it got really bad - DH held him down and I changed him...

I put a music thingy next to the table, its just out of reach of him (on the wall) and he amuses himself trying to grab it. I need to change it every so often to keep his atention.

Hi Spice,

Im reading your thread with interest, was just about to post the same thing. DD is 6mths and since she was 4mths hated getting her nappies changed. Now that she can roll she does that but worse of all is she is alwaysssssss scratching herself between her thighs! and doing arches and rolls and ripping the velcro off the nappy!!!

It gets sooo tiring just trying to change her!!

Would love to know how to solve this also, as music, toys, lights, singing does not work =(

That is EXACTLY what Claire did for a little while. All that sort of worked was giving her something to plat with or singing a song to her.. but after a while she cottoned on to what we were doing. Anyway, she only went crazy at nappy changes for about 2 months then she just stopped. I too changed her on the floor - i was scared of her rolling away off the table.

My DS2 does it too, the only thing that works is giving him a rusk or a biscuit while I change his nappy. He loves food so it is the only currency that works LOL!

hello everyone, thanks so much for your replies.

Sunflowa - the toilet training is a good point but I think I'll wait until she's walking (she's not quite there yet)

Arimeh - there have been times when I've needed Jason to help me change her bum. I like your suggestion of getting down on the floor and putting her legs under my arms - perhaps it's time for some serious kid wrangling :lol:


And Trish, the rusk idea is a good one. I think I'll definately try that one when we're out and about.

I will be watching this post with interest, my DS is only 5 months and manges to wiggle his way out of his nappy nearly every nappy change! It is so hard to get his nappy back on. I hate to think what he will be like when he is older.:o

I too am a floor changer. I have tonnes of toys in easy reach, and I often ask Sarah to distract her. It does settle down, just remember, "This too shall pass"

Hi Alioops, I've tried the floor changing and toys for distraction but it makes little difference :rolleyes:

PS: we used to talk in the pre-TTC thread and I just noticed in your sig you've gotten a BFP Congratulations :cheer:

My DS went through the same stage...HATED getting his nappy changed and would chuck a mega tantie each time... I think it lasted a few months and then he slowly got better... Now he's at the point where he lifts his bum for me most times and lays fairly still most of the time. Can't help with ideas but it does get better! :)