My cute little guy is always on the go, and is constantly busy! He loves pushing buttons on the computer…
drawing with chalk…
watering the plants outside…
playing with his animal toys…
and so much more!
If you are a mother of a busy toddler, too, then you know that some days it can be nearly IMPOSSIBLE to capture your child to change his or her diaper, let alone get them to hold still long enough for you to actually change it. Sometimes it feels like a battle that I am losing to a one-year-old!
I’ve been testing out different strategies to change this diaper-changing battle, and I’ve come up with eight ways to help those of you who might be having the same trouble I am- a wiggly child when it’s time to change diapers! Here’s what’s been working for me…
8 Ways to Keep Your Toddler Still While Changing their Diaper:
1. A Favorite Book- When I’m about to change my son’s diaper, sometimes I”ll grab one of his favorite books, which is his truck book or his train book. He gets to hold the book, look at the pictures, and make the truck and train sounds, while I am busy changing his diaper. I’m done changing him before he even realizes what’s going on- score one point for mom!
2. A Favorite Toy- Just like a book, a favorite toy is a good way to distract your little one long enough to change his or her diaper.
3. Slip On Diapers- I recently bought Huggies Little Movers Slip On Diapers at Target, in the hopes that they would make diaper changing time easier… and they did!! I love how easily these diapers slip on and off. They make changing my son’s diaper so much faster!
4. Sing A Song- I can often distract my little mover by singing him a song, preferably an upbeat one that he can learn the words to and sing along with me. If it has actions, it’s even better, because your child will be moving to the actions, rather than moving to get away from you!
5. Practice Counting and Learning the ABC’s- Diaper-changing time is a great time to teach your kids how to count, and get them to recognize and start learning their ABC’s. Count to 10, repeat it, and repeat it again- pretty soon, your child will be counting right along with you!
6. “Where’s the…” Game- In my son’s room there are lots of animals along the top portion of the wall, so to distract him while changing his diaper, I’ll ask him questions like “Where is the lion?”or “Can you show me the zebra?” Again, the key is to distract your child away from the fact that you are changing their diaper, and put their focus and attention onto something else.
7. Rhymes- Kids love little rhymes, like “Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,” nursery rhymes, etc. Diaper-changing time is a great time to teach them to your child!
8. TV or Movie- When all else fails, you can always turn on an age-appropriate cartoon or movie to keep your child distracted. I try all the other methods first, but this definitely can be a good last resort, especially if it’s a diaper that’s going to take a few minutes to change 😉
Hopefully these tips will make diaper changes easier and faster.
xo, Laura
Ruth says
Mine are out of diapers, but we never actually had an issue with this. They didn’t like having yucky diapers 🙂 I used to sing to the them while I changed their diapers though.
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
Lucky you! Singing works pretty well for me, too.
Katie Giras says
perfect! Thanks!
Lisa Brown says
i let them hold a toy or something
Anonymous says
I let my wiggle worm hold the new diaper or wipe his face. He loves helping!
Meredith
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
Sounds like my guy, too! Except sometimes he helps me try to wipe with a messy diaper, and that’s when I have to confiscate the wipe, lol!
Mami2jcn says
I sign to them.
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T says
I keep a basket of fun stuff (small book/toy) by the changer and he gets to pick one to play with while I change him.
Mary Fa'anunu says
Thanks for the tips, it’s seriously like changing an octopus!
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
I hear ya’! 😉
tawbraw says
This is always a challenge, thanks for the tips!
JC says
Either sing to them or get hubby to help to keep them still.
Marcus Dagley says
I sing Jesus wants me for a sunbeam and she loves it!
pippinm says
I just sit on them. After one good squish, they learn their lesson : )
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
This has to be Melissa, haha…. you would 😉
Ann Raye says
just talking to them.
sohamolina says
singing usually helps
steve weber says
distract them with a soft toy.
Gallegos Family says
I hand him a wipe and get him to “wipe his cheek, wipe his ear, wipe his nose…”
Anonymous says
Thanks these are great tip. – Caprice
lindilala says
lots of funny noises.
Donna says
as long as his teddy bear is next to him, he’s fine.
elliesmom says
they also make changing pads with velcro straps which keep wiggly babies still!
Julie says
play barney in the background
kolpin says
no clue, haven’t solved that one yet!
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Tabathia says
I turn the television to nick jr or disney jr
boyzrule says
I sing or try to make him laugh.
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Julie Raye-Rod. says
Haven’t mastered it yet
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says
She’s actually pretty good about holding still — I just talk to her.
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Laura Jacobson says
Oh we try to distract with a toy if we can, or just do the best we can. 🙂
Aubrey Laine says
Don’t know yet- Baby is due in 2 weeks!!!
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
Congratulations, and good luck! How exciting!!
Anonymous says
We used to sing Old MacDonald and they kept busy picking different animals to sing about. 🙂
Laura @ Make Life Lovely says
Nice! Animals will always distract my little guy, too, especially if he gets to make the different sounds.