6 Baby Hates Diaper Changes Tricks to Make Calmer and Cooperate
Some parents may go through an easy diaper change routine within a few minutes but others may find out that their baby hates diaper changes. Some babies do not like lying down since they are newborns. It is even worse when they need to change their diapers.
Many factors can cause diaper change tantrums. You may experience them throughout infancy. Even though your baby is fine with this process, it can be harder when the toddler becomes more active as he grows. However, it does not mean that you cannot turn him calmer.
6 Tips to Overcome Baby Hates Diaper Changes
When the baby grows and becomes more active, he likes to explore various activities like rolling and lying face down. Thus, it will be more challenging to keep him stay still, for example during the diaper change. The following tips will help you do diaper changes easier.
1. Use a changing mat
Many parents struggle during nappy changes. Having a changing mat is what to do when baby hates diaper changes. It will make the process easier and cause less messy. It is worth buying for parents who often feel a burden during diaper changes.
This mat will keep the baby safe in place while you change the diaper quickly and easily. Changing mats are available in various designs like animal designs with kneepads to hold the baby while making him feel comfortable and safe.
Most changing mats are portable. You can bring them everywhere. You will go through thousands of diaper changing until your baby reaches potty training. Thus, investing in changing mats can reduce your stress and frustration during the diaper-changing process.
2. Distract with baby’s favorite toy
If you find out that your baby hates diaper changes, you can steal his attention through another activity. The toddler is single-minded. He tends to focus on one activity. If you find him fussy during diaper changes, distracting him with a different activity will make him more focused.
Giving him his favorite toys is one effective distraction to help you do the nappy change. Physical distractions are often more effective than stealing a baby’s attention through talking or singing. You can prepare toys that the baby can use during a diaper change.
It will make him enjoy the toy as you change his diaper within a few minutes. It even makes the baby look forward to the next nappy change because he can play with his favorite toys.
3. Play games
Playing games is another trick you can try if your baby hates diaper changes. Many simple games work well to hold your baby’s attention during a few minutes of nappy changing. Some babies enjoy interactions more than toys. Hence, it can be an alternative for parents who struggle during this process.
You can try popular games like peekaboo, counting down, tickling, or making silly faces to steal baby’s attention. Thus, he forgets a bit of an uncomfortable feeling during nappy changes.
4. Include the baby in the process
As babies grow up, they like to be in charge of everything. It makes them refuse activities that make them feel under control. Including him in the changing diaper process help your baby hates diaper changes less. Informing the baby that his diaper is wet is essential during the beginning step.
It provides a better transition from playtime to nappy changing and less feel of playtime being suddenly interrupted. You can try giving the baby choices like whether change the diaper now or have a little bit of extra playtime, whether changing the diaper lying down or standing.
If you give standing diaper changing, you can use pull-ups diaper for a more comfortable changing process. Having several changing mats is helpful for you to make a faster changing process so you do not need to interrupt baby playtime for so long.
Explaining every step of a diaper change and why it is essential to wear a clean diaper can helps the baby feel included in the process. It will make him more under control.
5. Slow down and stay calm
If you have a very active baby, it will make a nappy change often more challenging and frustrating. How frustrating the process of diaper changing is, staying calm is the key to undergoing the process if your baby hates diaper changes. Take a deep breath and create the process as cheerful as possible.
Emphasizing your baby’s feelings about the nappy-changing process he hates the most helps to make it a bit better. You can narrate whether the baby feels discomfort during the process or he feels cold. Diaper changing offers a good time to create a bonding between parent and baby through close contact.
When the baby becomes more active, many parents likely change in a rush to reduce the possible mess caused by him. Parents should remember that baby requires attention while nappy changing is a good chance to connect more with the baby.
You can keep eye contact with the baby by talking, singing, or playing games. It reduces struggles in your interaction with your baby. You can turn it into a more joyful moment so your baby can forget the discomfort feeling.
6. Appreciate for cooperating
Shaping behavior in children requires positive reinforcement and you can practice it to build a diaper-changing habit. Giving rewards will help the baby hates diaper changes because it encourages him to do well next. You can do various things to appreciate your baby.
If he calms down and undergoes diaper changing well, you can give him some good words, toys, stickers, or other treats. Allowing your toddler to understand the necessary concept from a young age informs the benefits of doing particular activity quickly.
Your toddlers will also understand that if they change their diapers quickly, they can go back to play or do their favorite activities soon. It gives something exciting to look forward to and reduces discomfort.
Final Thoughts
Having a baby hates diaper changes requires extra effort to do the process. However, there will always trick to overcome it like using a supporting station, presenting a favorite distraction, playing games, engaging in the process, staying calm, or rewarding.
