How do i make nappy changing a better experience?
02
2008
I have a one week old baby boy who is generally happy except for the fact that he hates having his nappy changed. I have tried using warm water and cotton buds whist changing his nappy and I always clean him thourougly (there is no sign of skin irritation around his bottom). I have tried getting my husband to distract him (by stroking his cheek or holding his hand) but this is no use and i also make sure i put down a muslin cloth on the changing mat so it is not cold.
I know it is normal for babies to hate having their nappies changed, but can you reccomend any tips to make nappy changing a happier experience for him.
p.s - he is a breastfed baby, as i know someone will enquire as to whether he is breast or bottle fed.
Just keep trying to distract him and don't worry as you say it's completely normal behaviour, our 2 year old has always hated having his nappy changed and still hates it. It's just a fact of life with babies and you will get used to it. Have you bought him a favourite small soft toy? Stick it close beside him in his cot and have it close beside him all the time he will gradually come to know it as a best friend and will reach for it all the time and you can use this to comfort him when he gets upset, but really don't worry about it, Your doing everything exactly right and if nappy changing is all you've got to worry about then your doing fine. Just try to get it over and done with as soon as possible, oh and check there aren't any cold drafts they hate the cold.
powered by Yahoo answers
Tagged: changing nappy -
Just get the job over as quickly as you can. It's the fact that his clothes are removed and he feels insecure and vulnerable. He will get used to it and eventually enjoy kicking around without a nappy on as he gets a bit older. My daughter has a 2 week old baby girl who is just the same - screams the place down as soon as she hears the poppers on her babygro go,and then when changing is over and the leggings get back on her legs, she's ok.
References :
Don't think there is any easy answer as you seem to have tried a lot of things. However, my son was exactly the same when he was tiny but he grew out of it. So just wanted to reassure you that it would probably pass.
I guess just being prepared is the key…get it over and done with quickly!
References :
It might be the cold air, or you just have a kid that doesn't like being naked (That is a GOOD thing later on - trust me). Just coo, talk, sing, and try to have fun while you are doing it, and eventually he'll get use to it. My daughter was like that until she was about 2 weeks old, then she was actually helpful - lifting her legs, straightening them out at the right times, etc.. It's just a new thing for them.
Good luck
References :
We have a musical toy on my daughters changing table, and play it when we change her. My husband and I dance around and sing to her when we change her (actually we act silly around her all the time) but she laughes and knows where the toy is now. She looks for it if we don't turn it on sometimes.
References :
Mommy to Sie Sie who is 2 months old today!
I hung a mobile above my little girls changing table and she loves it. I tap the animals on it to make them move and she is more than happy laying there watching it.
Obviously your little boy is very tiny at the moment so may not be able to see a mobile but try talking to him in a soothing, reassuring voice - no matter how upset his tears are making you feel, try not to let him pick up on it.
Good Luck x
References :
Try to make it short adn sweet. Perhaps your attempts at calming him are actually riling him up even more. Just do it, get it over with and give him a hug. He probably doesn't like having his clothes off, that's all. Don't worry, he'll grow use to it.
References :
unfortunately he will probably cry no matter what so just try singing to him and move fast! It works for me and I usually put him on for a feed just after to calm him down.
good luck x
References :
Just keep trying to distract him and don't worry as you say it's completely normal behaviour, our 2 year old has always hated having his nappy changed and still hates it. It's just a fact of life with babies and you will get used to it. Have you bought him a favourite small soft toy? Stick it close beside him in his cot and have it close beside him all the time he will gradually come to know it as a best friend and will reach for it all the time and you can use this to comfort him when he gets upset, but really don't worry about it, Your doing everything exactly right and if nappy changing is all you've got to worry about then your doing fine. Just try to get it over and done with as soon as possible, oh and check there aren't any cold drafts they hate the cold.
References :
I hear you! My baby is 2 weeks and is starting to relax a bit more about it now. I tend to now change him in between a feed - before swapping him over from one breast to the other, and he's usually quite contented by then and sometimes isn't too bothered about it. Sometimes he still screams though. It also gives his belly a ten minute break (or however long he takes to start rooting for me again) to settle down and bring up some wind before topping him up. He'll get used to it.
References :
It's perfectly normal. He'll get used to it as he gets a bit older.
You have to get used to the fact that babies cry - there are lots of things they don't like! In a few months he will cry everytime you leave the room. Try not to get overly stressed everytime he cries!
References :
You can't!!!!! My 4 month old HATED nappy change and i tried loads of things like singing and being all happy to distract him etc, but in the end had to resort to the fact that he hated it and nothing i would do could help. My mum would always know when he was getting a nappy change as peace would suddenly be shattered when i started! He now gets used to it and even if he starts a little bit its much easier to distract him with a funny face or a toy etc. Just bear with it a newborn has to get used to everything, they have had months inside you with no hands poking them and prodding them and they have to get used to the things that are new to them. Also being breastfed he will have many nappies to change with all that poop he'll have plenty more time to get used to it!
References :
at this age i dont think there is anything more you can do. usually this problem decreases as the weeks go on, my 9week old was like this at first but now she only cries sometimes when i change her nappy. if it is still a problem as your baby gets older try distracting him with a toy or brighlty coloured object but just now you will just have to get the job done as quickly as possible and give your son a nice big cuddle afterwards
References :
Hi!
My son used to scream the house down while we were changing his nappy, no matter how quick we were!!! As he got older, he started just laying there, looking around while the job was being done. Don't worry, your son will get used to having his bum changed. When he is a bit older, you could try putting a mobile above the changing table, singing to him, giving him his dummy if he has one.
Good luck, it does eventually gets easier.
xx
References :