Diaper change RAGE!

[Chickadee]

In the last week Chloe has started objecting to getting her diaper changed. As soon as we lay her down (change table or even on the floor) she starts to fight. To the point now where it's a struggle to even get one on her, this morning she was screaming at me in rage. Usual distractions don't work, although I haven't tried bribing with cookies yet... hmmm....

She hasn't shown any signs of being ready for toilet training, and I'm at a loss as to why she's started this. She has nappy rash now, worse than she ever has, but I don't know which came first, the rash or the objection (I suspect the rash is because she's been so impossible to change and clean for the last week!).

I've tried putting the diaper on her while she's standing and it's hopeless - she won't stand still so it's never straight and it ends up leaking badly within half an hour. I'm considering putting her on the potty in between the diaper coming off and the new one going on, just to sit there and read together for a few minutes, hoping to break the bad routine & habit she's gotten into. But I don't want her fighting over the diaper to transfer into her hating the potty!

Any ideas or suggestions?

[veve]

hey :)

Just an idea- it was the first thought that popped into my head, but is she big enough to use 'pull ups'??? - she might find it more fun to be more 'independent'- some kids just hate to lie down and let the adult do it??? - it helps lead to toilet training, and a change in nappy type might also help break the bad habit in routine????

just a thought ???

xxx
Jen

[Chickadee]

Hmm. I hadn't thought of pull ups. She's not quite managing to pull her pants down yet when we get undressed, and is even further from pulling them up. Maybe the training pants would inspire her though. I'll keep it in mind!

[draught]

Hi Martha
We went through this stage with DD1 at about the same age, and with some perserverance (sp?) we got through it and a year later she is still in her nappies and showing no signs of being interested in toilet training. I found that tickling her or doing something really unexpected like singing loudly or being a jellyfish (complete with blub blub noises) worked to distract her long enough to get the nappy on. I was very glad that no one could see or hear me. On other occasions I just had to be firm and work quickly. After a while (weeks, not months) she forgot her anger. I also had to stay on top of getting the nappies off quickly to avoid the nappy rash and slathered on the Sudoderm cream to aid in the prevention and treatment during this time. I don't know if any of this will assist but hope things improve!

[TwoBlue]

This is such a difficult and exhausting time, i have been there and occasionally have moments still where my son just doesnt want me to do it.

I found, crazy as it seems, that one day out of shere frustration whilst fighting with him to get a nappy on, i pulled him up to my eye level and said "whether you like it or not this nappy has to go on, once it is on you can go back to playing and it can be a long time or a short time BUT IT HAS TO HAPPEN!" anyway since then he has pretty much let me do it with only the occasional hick up !
Pretty funny hey :p

Good luck

[MUMVIC]

I have exactly the same issue with Brianna (21/6/04) it drives me up the wall, not even distracting her with toys or food works, she litterally screams a t the top of her lungs from start to finish wiggling and moving the whole time, I have now resorted to getting the dog inside to distract her and lucky for me it worked, I'm glad she likes the dog............ :)

[Chickadee]

I have exactly the same issue with Brianna (21/6/04) it drives me up the wall, not even distracting her with toys or food works, she litterally screams a t the top of her lungs from start to finish wiggling and moving the whole time, I have now resorted to getting the dog inside to distract her and lucky for me it worked, I'm glad she likes the dog............ :)

Lol. We have two dogs - one licks her face at every chance and makes her scream, the other runs away when Chloe screams! I don't think the dogs are gonna help much.

A much better day today, thanks for all the suggestions. And it helps to know I'm not the only one struggling with this! When she woke up this morning I was very patient - it helped that I didn't have to go to work. 10 minutes later, a lot of coaxing, and no tears from either of us (yay!), and the clean diaper was on. So far it seems to help to have her stand up until the dirty one is off and then prop a book up beside her to read as we put the new one on. I've abandoned the change table as causing instant tears. 2nd change was in front of the tv with a cookie (thank goodness for playschool), 3rd I gave her her bottle.

Oddly, I asked her carer if anything had happened while changing her diaper in the last couple of weeks that might have provoked Chloe's sudden refusal. And she was surprised - it seems that Chloe gives no trouble at daycare, even yesterday after her morning fight with me!

[draught]

Ah Martha - the joys of family day care. Ella had two sets of rules - one for her carer and one for us. The first time she had a tantrum in her carer's driveway the carer was shocked. For us it was one of her standard "I'm not getting my way" tantrums, but her gorgeous carer had never seen her behave like this and couldn't believe that it happened regularly at home! Then I discovered that my daughter who was weaned onto a cup because she refused a bottle for months had to take a bottle to day care with her as she would only drink from a bottle there - like her little friend who was with her! So I understand the situation! Glad things went well today.

[maybe1more]

I had the same this just this morning, my son tried to run off while i was putting the new nappy on,so i put him back down and i told him i needed to change his nappy,When he when to turn over and run off again i endup yelling at him and tapped him on the leg which he knows i never do, i regreted it later but like my other half said i doubt he`ll do that again, he turns two tomorrow so im wondering if that has anything to do with it! I dont like starting of with a bad morning because sometimes the rest of the day follows suit!

[Chickadee]

Siiigh. A week on and it's getting slightly better. Actually, I think I'm just getting more creative at distracting her - lots of diaper changes in front of the tv and with a bottle to keep her busy and still. Or hub and I take a tandem approach, one at each end.

Jen, I've taken your suggestion and bought some pull-ups too. You're right, they help. At least I don't have to struggle to keep her still when putting them on.

I lost my patience last night though at the end of a long day and screamed at her to stay still. Immediate huge guilt on my part, only partly appeased by the fact that she laughed at me and told me I was funny. I suppose my face probably did look pretty funny to her :o .

[Supermum]

I had the same problem with my oldest (now 2½) and the battle of wills lasted about 2 months. I think he realised that regardless of how much he squirmed, screamed, kicked, jumped up, jumped down ... mummy was getting that nappy on rain, hail or bloody shine! I put him on the toilet but he wasn't interested or ready then.

Just another one of those delightful phases where they test the boundaries maybe? :rolleyes: