How do you hold your child still for diaper changes?

Amber - posted on 10/14/2009

My son is 25 pds 30 inches long. I sometime have to put him on the floor and use my legs to hold him down if my husband can't help me. He has learned not to move so much and it is alot easier

Kasey - posted on 10/14/2009

My son just turned 11 months on the 11th and is about the same size so I'm right there with ya. Aiden just needs something in his hands that he is interested in like a remote or my cell phone (no one elses) and he seems to do well. If his hands are empty, he does the same exact things. I get a kick out of watching his dad try it without occupying him first.

Nicole - posted on 10/14/2009

im so glad to hear it isnt just me!! I hate this time, my son is so squirmy & he gets so mad when I hold him down & wont let him flip over. Its nearly impossible though!! I especially have a hrd time after bath time because he is tired & cranky by then. Sometimes giving him his bottle will work & sometimes giving him things he doesnt usually get to play with helps.

Kirah - posted on 10/14/2009

I keep my daughter focused on something. I always make sure she has something in her hand which then leads to her mouth. She loves all the tubes and stuff on her table or anything that makes a noise.

Christina - posted on 10/13/2009

I have the very same problem...she won't stay still, so I started trying to get her attention and sing to her (like itzy bitzy spider) or laugh so she'll look at me and we both start laughing...and change it really fast.

Heather - posted on 10/13/2009

my loves her books so I pick up her favorite one that day, give it to her, change her diaper and then we read the book when I am all done. works every time!

Naomi - posted on 10/13/2009

Totally agree with most other people!
I give my daughter something to hold or play with that she isnt normally allowed to. Eg- packet of wet wipes, her comb, my mobile phone etc.

Margaret - posted on 10/13/2009

Keys. . . That is a good one. I will try that and let you know. He likes to take them from me when I need to lock/unlock the house. LOL

Jennifer - posted on 10/13/2009

My little man did this for a good 1/2 month around 10 months... He no longer does it so there is perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel!!?? I too gave him a toy (or the lotion bottle from his changing table since he really enjoys playing with that). Good luck!

Amy - posted on 10/13/2009

I really really wish I had an answer for this one. I am having the same problem. My daughter is 11 months 1 week and she weighs about 22-23lbs and is about 29 inches long, Seriously 6 arms wouldn't be enough for me. She is so freaking strong, she rolls over stands up the whole 9 yards. Getting her dressed is even worse!

Amy - posted on 10/13/2009

I agree with the key suggestion! or in my sons case, anything that "isn't a toy". remote control, cell phone, box of tissues lol... there are always things for him to hold onto that he really isn't supposed to that keep him temporarily occupied!

Jennifer - posted on 10/13/2009

I too am having the same problem and I read the comment about using my keys....I'm going to try it because she loves them any other time...why not diaper changing time! Thanks for mentioning that!!!

Amelia - posted on 10/13/2009

if my son starts to roll over i give him a little swat on his leg, nothing hard just enough to get his attention. i've done this since he started rolling over and now he knows he has to lay still.

Shawna - posted on 10/13/2009

LOL omg!! I honestly thought it was just my son who did this!!!
I find my keys work well sometimes. I have to always give him something and sometimes its doesn't always work. Keys are the best though for me. He loves keys, not the toys keys, mommy and daddys keys!! Sometimes i have to change him while he is crawling away or standing up too.

Abbey - posted on 10/12/2009

My son LOVES books, his toothbrush and all the different bottles. Generally if he has his hands on that he will stay still. I forget sometimes and fight it until I look at the small stack of toys. Can't wait for him to outgrow this phase.

Danielle - posted on 10/12/2009

I sing to my babies the moment I put them on the changing table, in a addition to giving them a toy. It works well enough to change the diaper.

Margaret - posted on 10/12/2009

These are all great and have worked, temporarily. My son looks something over good and then he is onto the next thing. He has never been interested in teethers either. He no longer fits on his changing table and I have yet to find a wall mountable mobile.

Any other suggestions?

Ange - posted on 10/11/2009

i agree with Emily... a toy... or even we have a mobile above our change table... my little one 11 months now started walking at 8 months so been very mobile for a long time... this was the only way i could get him to lye still... he also loves holding/playing with the tubes of cream that i have at the table...

Emily - posted on 10/09/2009

Give your baby something they really like and only give it to them when u change their diaper. It works for us long enough for us to change her diaper. So basically, save the favorite toy/item for the "ritual" of changing diapers. Our daughter is teething, so she gets a teething ring to play with for the quickest change ever. Works wonders with poopies...just give him/her another toy when he/she is done with the 1st one.

Erin - posted on 10/09/2009

I have had to learn to change my little man standing up. I was having trouble and asked a friend who's little boy is about 8 mos older and she said that's what she had to do. I tried it and it's hard to get used to, but I'm getting the hang of it. You can even change poopie diapers like that. Then if you are having too much trouble getting the new one on you can lay them down long enough to try to get it...this is really working well for me. Give it a try!