2yo suddenly scared of the changing mat/laying on her back...?!

[JParkson]

Has anyone had experience of the following?

My 2.2yo DD1 has seemed to suddenly have developed a major fear of my changing mat (on a small chest of drawers, about 90cm tall) and/or lying on her back.

She seemed fine on Friday. DH and I went out to dinner, leaving her, DS (9), and DD2 (17 weeks) with my 2 brothers (both in their 20s). They are competent babysitters, having helped me/us out on previous occasions. I've asked them and DS whether DD1 may have slipped on the changing mat, or possibly fallen off, but nothing untoward seems to have happened. (I checked with DS, as he is very good at blurting out any hiccups which might've occurred)

Saturday, I was away most of the day, so DD1 and DS were with DH, and it was while she was with DH that we became aware of her fears.

I first saw it last night (Sunday), as I was in and out for most of yesterday too.

She seems to be ok when I lie her on the mat, but as soon as I strip her off to change her nappy, her eyes widen, she gets shakey, and flails about trying to find something to hold onto. She turns away from the edge of the mat and tries to hug the wall. She's crying and babbling incoherently (she has a reasonable vocabulary, and can usually make herself understood). I try talking to her, to reassure her that nothing will happen to her, I won't let her fall. I've tried distraction with a toy or my phone, but she'll only respond for a few seconds before slipping back into panic mode.

[niceupthedance]

Could it be ear ache or maybe a strange 'underwater' sensation when lying down, due to the head cold? That'd be my first guess.

[FivesGoldNorks]

Can you change her on the floor? Have you tried sitting her on a potty?

[SolomanDaisy]

It sounds to me like she's had a dream about falling/rolling?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

My DS (1yo) has hated lying on his back for a few months now. I use a pillow on the changing mat so he's semi-propped up, and on other occasions when he absolutely has to be laid flat (e.g. getting into snow suit) I find that reciting Macca Pacca's rhyme at top speed, on a loop, with an eerie fixed grin tends to unnerve soothe him enough to enable me to do whatever needs doing.

[Kiwiinkits]

Time to potty train?

[littleducks]

DS was like this once, I thought it might be something related to his ears. I took him to the dr and he had an ear infection and needed ABs.

[KatoPotatoHoHo]

Standing up nappy changes are far far easier! Get her to help by holding the 'tabs' potty train when you're both ready.

[CecilyP]

I am not really surprised that your DD is scared of having her nappy changed on top of a chest of drawers. It is not really recommended for a more mobile baby, so would be quite precarious for a lively toddler. Your first paragraph, in fact, confirms that you are aware of the potential risks. Can you not change her on the floor, perhaps even replace the nappy with pull-ups.

[MarianForrester]

Pull ups and change standing up would be my suggestions too.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I read once that ear infections can hurt all t more when lying down. Is it just nappy changing, or any lying down which is the issue. If it's any lying down get her ears checked.

[LittlePandaBear]

My DD (just 2) sometimes gets annoyed at nappy changing time if the light's on, I think it can shine right in her face if she's staring at the ceiling! She's a good communicator so can tell me to turn the light off (as long as I have enough light from the window to get the job done!).

Agree about changing her on the floor though at her age.