Hates nappy changing

[yawningmonster]

DS has always hated to be changed but lately has got much worse, tossing around and kicking out at me and flinging pooh in every direction in the process (21mths). Have tried....stickers, special distraction toys, involving him in getting nappy etc, changing standing up, time out as soon as nappy is on for kicking, hurting etc...any other suggestions or do I just ride it out? Getting very tired (have also put nite time naps on during day so dont have to have as many changes) Any suggestions?

[yawningmonster]

tried singing tonight did not go down well, will try tomorrow.

[theinvisiblegirl]

Can totally sympathise...have 17mth who does the same. Toys and various distractions used to work but he's getting bored of those now. At the moment, pulling silly faces at him sometimes works, or, if not and a nappy simply must go on and running around nappyless is NOT an option, I'm afraid it's the leglock!!
I sit on the floor on my knees, plonk him on the nappy and then clamp his left leg between my knees. He shouts but I can get the nappy on and it's all over before he knows it!!

[yawningmonster]

Must admit to having to resort to something similar several times lately but he is sooo strong!!!! that sometimes even that can't pin him down.

[hanlong12]

We had exactly the same thing. I tend to try to engage him in conversation if singing doesn't work. Usually ask him questions about his favourite story, what happens when... etc etc. anything to keep his mind on something other than kicking seven bells out of my legs!!

[youknowwhat]

Had the same thing with DS1 at about the same age. I finally started to potty train him out of desperation when he was 22~23 months old.
It solve the problem of nappy changing BUT I also have had to face about 6 months with regular accidents. I think he wasn't ready physically - not completely - but because he could see older children wo a nappy at the nursery wanted to be grown up too.
For night time, I use some pull up for ease and it seems to work.
Sorry, not the best advice ...

[TooTicky]

Perhaps he could try a potty. When my ds1 was 19mo he wanted a potty for Christmas (he was used to seeing dd1 on hers). We did get him one - all wrapped up in Christmas paper, I kid you not! - and he was so chuffed he potty-trained himself within weeks. I'm not boasting, honest, just thought it might help!!

[eggybreadandbeans]

Hi. I do sympethise with you on this. Ds (25 months) has protested about having his nappy changed for, on and off, about a year!

When he was a bit younger, distractions - particularly with interesting things of ours he wasn't normally allowed - worked pretty well.

Now, as another poster suggested, talking about something - engaging his interest in a conversation - sometimes works.

Two other things we've had more success with lately (and only really since ds turned two) are, firstly, clearly saying to ds: "You've done a poo and need a nappy change. I'm going to the changing mat. Let me know when you're ready." I potter down to his room and sit next to the mat, nonchalantly getting a nappy sack and wipes ready and pretending to read a book, and quite a lot, he quickly yells, "I'm ready!" and hops on the mat. Dp and I were amazed when this started working.

The second tactic we use when the when-you're-ready one fails (these tricks only seem to work for a bit, don't they?) is, "Right, you've done a poo. Your bum will get sore if we don't change your nappy. You can come to the mat now, or I'll count to three and then I'll put you on the mat." (All said calmly but like you mean business.) This is the most effective tactic at the moment. As soon as we say, "One ..." ds usually runs to the mat and enthuses that he's ready. Apart from the other day when he said, "... two, three!" back to me.

I do understand it's a pain in the arse when they won't cooperate for a nappy change. I have changed many a nappy through gritted teeth and while taking deep breaths - you don't always have the energy/creativity to divert them. Ds is showing quite a lot of toilet training readiness, and I do say to him that if he really doesn't like nappy changes, he has the choice of starting to use the toilet. Am waiting for him to say he's ready on that score, too!

Good luck.

[yawningmonster]

thanks for those ideas eggybread...

ds is not even close to being ready for potty training at the moment. Not sure if the come when you are ready will work yet but will definately give it a go, we already do the idea of "OK ds you need a nappy, lie down on your mat or mummy will need to lie you down after a count of three' trick, it does get tiring getting creative. Conversations deffo not a real winner unless he is already in a compliant mood.

[sunandmoon]

Our DD is only 12 months old and she doesn't want to stay on her back while changing nappies. She usually let us taking it out then she turns as quick as possible to stand up... we are now changing her in the smallest bathroom and we have learnt to put a nappy while she is standing up!!! And we are using re usable nappies (a real art)... But don't follow that suggestion Yawingmonster, because our DD knows she won that one!!

[Smee]

I'm with Eggybread - cut the confrontation out of it and try letting him have a bit of control. It amazed me that it works, but it does and we went through all the tantrums too.

Now I don't get cross but am v.matter of fact. I tell him something nice that he can have/ do after we've finished (can be as simple as looking out of the window!) and then tell him when he's ready to come to let me know. It works 9/10 times for us - only doesn't when he's really tired.

Who knows if it'll work for you - they're all so different, but it's made life a whole lot more sane for us. Biggest tip I can think of is not to seem at all fussed about it - I'm 100% sure for us that it became an issue because he could see it wound me up - easier said than done, I know. You have my total sympathy

[jabberwocky]

Have you tried doing changes with him standing up? Would definitely make it harder for him to get at the poo.