Comments on: Dealing With Diaper Changing Disasters

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:59:36 +0000

My baby was the same – wriggling away from nappy changes, yelling, he really seemed to hate them, it was frustrating for all. I then started reading him a book during each change, and it completely changed things! He was absorbed in the story / pictures, and things went much smoother. He’s now 2, no longer in nappies, but has a great vocabulary for his age, which I think may be in part due to all the books we read!

By: Courtney Fox

Courtney Fox — Mon, 03 May 2021 22:32:09 +0000

In reply to Marianne White Dunlap. I follow these rules . I worked in Eve for a few years before having my son and know all about consent and different strategies. But my son still doesn't want to get dressed or changed . Ive tried singing, a special toy, asking him to help and the list goes in and on. This method doesn't always work unfortunately

By: Camila

Camila — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 17:59:01 +0000

Hello Janet, I have a 21 months old boy and just wanted to thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I just got done listening to your audio book “Elevating child care” and it is a wonderful book! I learned a lot with it and am trying to put in practice your advices.

By: Ruth Mason

Ruth Mason — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 14:51:19 +0000

Great, as usual, Janet! I want to add one thing: At the Pikler Institute in Budapest, where this approach originated, they make sure to let toddlers move during diaper changes. The caregivers just take a break for a moment when a baby wants to turn over, get on all ours, or whatever and acknowledge what is happening. They understand that babies NEED to move. It might make diaper changing longer but more cooperative and fun.

By: Char Roberts

Char Roberts — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 06:29:27 +0000

My 13m grandson has just discovered this annoying, heart-wrenching, agitating behavior. I’ve just been sort of “powering thru” ; every other tactic, from singing to cajoling to cuddling to putting on a Vegas – style floor show (haha})… Proved a waste of everyone’s time and patience.
Thank you, for the beautiful perspective check! All I am here to do is love that baby, and every single thing I read on your site is a practical tool for doing it better.

By: janet

janet — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 03:42:11 +0000

In reply to Audrie Williams. Yay! It's my pleasure, Audrie.

By: Audrie Williams

Audrie Williams — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 02:31:30 +0000

This post was a lifesaver for me! Diaper changes with my 20 month stopped being a problem situation after just one time of taking this approach. Having my son help out is also perfect prep for potty training! THANK YOU!

By: Katy

Katy — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:25:11 +0000

In reply to Amanda. You state it's not necessary or life changing and the reward is using less diapers and less mess to clean. It seems as if doing EC is simply for the ease of parents which doesn't really align with RIE principles.

By: Chelsie

Chelsie — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:16:19 +0000

Thanks for these tips. I can certainly empathize with Colleen. I have a similar situation with my 18 month old little guy as he too becomes very irritated with diaper changes and more recently has begun kicking, bouncing his bottom up and down, and clenching his glutes together whenever I go to wipe.
The unique piece of our situation is that due to a slight birth defect, my son has underwent 4 surgeries throughout his first 15 months on his rectum – all which were followed by a tedious healing phase which made changes a little more tricky. That being said, it’s been several months since his last surgery, everything has healed nicely, and changes we’re going well for several weeks. However since he is more prone to irritation and rashes down there, due to frequent bowel movements (7-8 per day), I really try to stay on top of his changes and keep him clean.
I’m just not sure if, as he’s getting older, he’s becoming more aware and frustrated that his day is frequently interrupted by diaper changes, even though I give him notice and offer choices (ie. “now, or in 5 minutes?”) whenever I can.
Or, could it be possible that due to the surgeries, post-op recovery periods and bouts of nasty rashes, he’s developed a bit of a ‘fear’ toward diaper changes and is suddenly thinking they’re always going to be uncomfortable for him, so he resists?
I’ve read some of your books and articles and do a lot of the things you describe to try and make the changes go as smooth as possible (give choices for timing , include him in holding the cream, stay calm and neutral, explain matter-of-factly why we need to stay clean, etc) , but the past few weeks’ changes have been getting worse and worse.
If you have any suggestions that may help in this situation I’m all ears! In the mean time, I’ll try a few more of the tactics you described for Colleen above.
I’m seeing the benefits of implementing your approach from “No Bad Kids” into many of my interactions with him, but would just love to get these diaper changes under control too.
Thanks for your insights!

By: Brooklyn

Brooklyn — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 22:13:54 +0000

Hi Janet, do you have any further suggestions for dealing with a baby who screams blue murder and twists away with each nappy change? He gets sooooo upset and is very strong, so it feels like I must be hurting him when I hold him still, but I can’t let him roll and crawl away mid poop clean. Nappy changes are such a drama these days!