The Secret to Changing a Toddler (Who Won’t Sit Still)’s Diaper

April 18, 2018

James has never been the best at staying still, but in the last month or so, changing his diaper has become even more of a struggle. It’s not just that he’s wiggling, though he’d doing plenty of that, but he just plain doesn’t want his diaper changed and throws a fit almost every time we try to change him. It’s gotten to the point, where I’ve been dreading changing him. I collected the best tips that have been working for us so far, although I have to say nothing has completely

Distract.

This can’t be an overhead mobile anymore. Honestly, I’ve tried toys and books, but the only thing that really works to distract is the phone. James recently totally messed up my phone and Andrew had to completely reprogram it, so I have been pretty anti-letting him touch my phone. BUT our nanny lets him watch his favorite YouTube videos (videos of his music class). Honestly, I hsould just do that and save myself all the struggle, but I am usually rushing so I dont’ usually have time to find the videos and play for him, but I know changing him would be a lot smoother if I did.

Ask them.

Rather than just grabbing them mid-play, ask if you can change their diaper and invite them to come over to have their diaper changed. They may not want to, but at least that way, they feel like there is choice involved and they’re not just being yanked away from fun. If they really don’t want to have their diaper changed and they’re not leakign through, you’re not leaving to go somewhere or they dont’ totally stink, consider waiting a few minutes and asking again. If it’s their choice, or at least you’re not yanking them away from something they love, they’re more likely to be on board and not struggle.

Try changing them standing up.

Ok, this is really hard. It has taken me awhile to figure it out and I still suck at it, but at least it pretty much stays on and I can adjust it once I get it fastened. But for James. he just doesn’t want to have to lie down and be held down. While he doesn’t hold much stiller, he usually doesn’t throw a fit, or as big of a fit, when I change him standing up.

Make it a game.

Sometimes if I sing a really silly song and am really overemphatic doing it, James will giggle and behave. It usually involves a song that’s not really a nursery rhyme and probably not at all appropriate that I’ve changed the words to in order to make it a poopie diaper-changing song and dancing and making his legs dance. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t. But when it works, it’s great.

Do it fast.

Honestly, James is still not a fan of having his diaper changed and every change is a struggle now. The best way I’ve found to get through it is to make it as fast as possible. Luckily, at this point, unless it’s a total poosplosion, I’ve changed so many diapers that I’ve gotten pretty fast at it, and his recent tantrums have encouraged me to figure out how to do it even faster.

Do you have any tips to make diaper changing easier? Share them please!

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