Baby hates being on changing table

[Anonymous]

DD is eight months old and for the last couple of weeks has been throwing fits on the changing table. She hates having her diaper and clothing changed and squirms and cries the entire time. Is this some sort of phase now that she is more mobile? She never had a problem on the table before. In fact, she always used to smile on the table. Thanks for any advice.

[Anonymous]

Lots of kids go through this. If DD likes being on the floor more, try putting a blanket or something on the floor and changing her there.

You could also try distracting her with a toy, small book, or singing (it doesn't have to be pretty. Baby might even like it more if you sang it in a goofy way...speed up some parts, slow down others...)

Just try different things.

[Anonymous]

My mother-in-law used to carry around a Halloween mask to distract her son from squirming around during diaper changes!
I use a small toy or a puppet to distract DD while I change her. She squirms and squeals so much though that I'm thinking of putting the changing pad on the floor.

[Anonymous]

Use the floor. The table becomes very dangerous if they're squirming the whole time.
No one says you *have* to use the changing table...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mother-in-law used to carry around a Halloween mask to distract her son from squirming around during diaper changes!
I use a small toy or a puppet to distract DD while I change her. She squirms and squeals so much though that I'm thinking of putting the changing pad on the floor.

How do you safely change a baby while using a puppet?

[Anonymous]

My son likes to hold one of the diapers while I change him. Sometimes a toy. It really helps. I always make a point of spending a little extra time on the changing table tickling, smiling, kissing, etc so he has a positive association with the whole diaper changing thing. It seems to help. Oh, and I've found that the more I try to restrain him when he is acting up, the more he struggles. I really have to sort of back off to get him to cooperate sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mother-in-law used to carry around a Halloween mask to distract her son from squirming around during diaper changes!

Eek! I would have burst into tears if someone used a Halloween mask while changing my diaper as a child. I was practically scared of my own shadow though.

[Anonymous]

We have changing-table-only toys that we use to keep DD from wiggling and squirming and throwing fits. Plus, I sing or talk to distract her.

Also, does DD protest all the time? It could be that she doesn't like to be "interrupted" if you try and change the diaper while she's playing, looking at books, etc. I found that waiting for a "break" in play or the transition to a new toy a way get a quick diaper change in.

[Anonymous]

DD started this at around 8/9 months, and still throws a fit on the table. I have tried everything, and it's hit or miss as to whether I can actually distract her. DD is 15 months now. It's annoying & frustrating, considering how often we have to change her.