Diapering Difficulties...Need Suggestions

[becka]

DS has been fighting his diaper changes on occassion for several months now but usually I can hold his legs pretty good and act silly and that gives me enough time to get him changed with a minimum of messiness and tears.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks he has discovered that his hand are free to "discover". He keeps trying to get his hands in the way especially when it is a not so nice diaper (aka poopie). I cannot seem to corral both legs and both arms AND change a diaper at the same time. I am really at a loss for how to stop him from putting his hands down there.

I figure at least a few of you have encountered this problem in the past and might have some handy tips for me.

Any tips, suggestions, hog tie methods and or prescription medication suggestions (for me ) are welcomed.

 

[mrsv98]

Wow, I remember those days! When DH was home, we would deploy the two person method, but for other times, I tried a few different things. Hmm, how old is Nathan? A year right? You could try giving him a bath book, that way, if he gets it messy, then no big deal. Also, I had a small basket of toys on the changing table that were just for diapering sessions. That kept them fresh and interesting. Some were even toys that I would not let DD play with normally, like Beanie Babies with necklaces and such that were shiny. I always took them away matter-of-factly as I was lifting her off the table. I also put a small decorative shelf over the table. It has three stars hanging from the bottom and you can put your own pictures in each star. I put pictures of us at WDW (of course ) in each star and then we would talk about the trip. Good luck and I have two words for you: POTTY TRAINING!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Might I suggest duct tape?

 

[jipsy]

I would always give DS a rattle or a teething ring - something to keep his hands busy and his mind off his diaper LOL.

 

[PartyofSix]

Okay as a mom of 3 yo .triplets these are my tried and true suggestions. Having been there (many) times and done that. Here's what you do lay him on the floor and strattle him with your rear toward his face, hence preventing his hands from reaching when they need not be while you kneel over and do the change. Eventually he will learn not to do that it sounds bad but it's not it's very easy for you to adjust not to mention you will make less mess. Take Care

 

[ahutton]

I always change DD in the same direction - her head on my right side. I use my right hands to hold her feet, and my right arm/shoulder to block her hands but turning my body 1/4 turn to my left. It has been effective so far and DD is 15 months old, so pretty soon she'll be better able to follow directions. I also say no, and tell her it's dirty - just like I do when she or her sister reach for anything else I would rather they not touch...

 

[padams]

When DS was almost a year, I needed to change him while we were out, and the restroom didn't have a changing table. I had DS stand up and hold onto the wall to be changed. It was so much easier than having him lie down. He had been a squirmer too. He seemed to like being changed standing up much better and didn't seem to be as bored with the routine of changing diapers. I never again changed him lying down, and as soon as DS #2 could stand, I changed him standing up.

 

[shortbun]

We did the standing up method too, asap!
DS hated lying on his back to get dressed, diapered, whatever.
I also used lots of off limits toys while I was diapering-things
he usually could not touch so he was always interested. I gave
him an old set of head phones for a long time-foam off the ear
pieces first. He loved that! I also peeled a bandaid for him to
play with-sticky and kept the hands busy.
mimi

 

[becka]

Ohhh...I love that band-aid idea. That would be right up his alley.

We have tried to use specific toys, etc. but he seems to lose interest sometimes especially now that he seems to have found "toys" built-in.

I will have to try the standing up thing. We do it some for dressing but I am not sure about diapering. Wet diapers would be no problem but the other kind (especially when they are not entirely solid like right now - I know TMI) could potentially be an even bigger disaster!

Thanks so much for your suggestions (duct tape! LOL!). I can't imagine how confused I would be if it was not for the advice I can get here. I guess when DS is older he can say he was raised by Mom, Dad and a couple thousand Disney fans from the Internet!

 

[Mskanga]

I used to give my kids something that would make noise, that kept their hands busy and out of my way.
I didn't have much of a problem with that, but the taking off the diaper....that's another story and that's when duct tape cam handy ( no kidding here ).

 

[annemariec]

My little guy is 18 months. I keep all sorts of things in his top drawer of his changing table. Straws, sample shampoo bottles (tightening the top), small toys, etc.. When he starts to get disinterested with something I ask, "Do you want something else?", and he'll hand whatever it is to me and wait for whatever surprise I give him. (I give it to him with my non-dirty hand) Now when he's disinterested he tells me, "else" and hands it over. Cracks me up!

Annemarie

 

[tigercat]

Partyof six I used to do that with my oldest. The other 2 were fine with diaper changes.
tigercat

 

[believe]

Try singing songs with hand motions. Like Itsy Bitsy Spider and If your happy and you know it. Teach him the hand motions throughout the day. Once he has the motions somewhat down, only sing these songs a diaper changing times. DD#1 wouldn't sit still, but singing the ABC song and counting always calmed her.

 

[Serena]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionGeek
Might I suggest duct tape?

You stole my answer. lol


I tried to give them something to hold onto. Something they liked but they only got it when I was changing them. And got really, really fast.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Do you think he'd like this over a changing table?

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...RODUCT&path=1,3,120,122&KickerID=87154&KICKER

Just an idea . . .

 

[sha_lyn]

Great timing .. just today Iwas babysitting for a friend. I watch her 17 m DD(And 3 yr DS) every Thursday, and occasionallly on other days. Since I don't have a changign table, I usually change her on my bed and sit "Below" her. Well she always kicks me in the stomach. Today I finally found something that will keep her attention... A large children's caculator. Of course the same caculator might not interest her on Thurs. but at least today my stomach was kick free.

 

[Jenn]

When my little one won't hold still, I give her a wet wipe and tell her to clean her face. She washes her face, her hands, etc. and by the time she's done, so am I.

 

[TINKTWINS]

Becka I cant believe how much older he looks in that Pic. WOW time flys doesnt it!!

Twin DS 3 was the same way!! Give him the wipes to hold, or the diaper, he will think hes helping out.

 

[becka]

The band-aid thing worked great last night!!!!

He was completely fascinated with it and the only problem we had is that he thought it might be edible! I just told him a few times that we don't eat band-aids and that worked pretty well.

We also tried the standing up thing but he was not cooperative and did not want to stand but wanted to just get away. Maybe when he gets a little bit older that technique will work well.