Toddlers are wiggly, and while this is a lot of fun while playing or dancing it is no fun at all for parents or caregivers trying to change a diaper, especially poopie diapers! Most of the time toddlers know they can get a reaction out of you when they wiggle so they just keep on wiggling. As hard as it is, the best thing to do is to keep your expression neutral and not get upset. While you are doing that you will want to try some of the following tips.

Legs, Up!

Toddlers like games and while you may not consider changing a poopie diaper game time your toddler probably does. So, play a game like legs up! Say, ok, it’s time to change your diaper. Legs up! Say it in a cheerful and fun way. Get them to stick their legs up and while they are up quickly clean up the mess. Lots of toddlers think it’s lots of fun to stick their legs up and while their legs are in the air they can’t wiggle as much. Not to mention, they learn what their legs are and what “up” means!

Diaper Wipe

When you have a wiggly toddler you want to get as much mess cleaned up before actually taking the diaper all the way up. Lie your toddler down and place your forearm over their stomach. Then, take the diaper off and wipe down trying to get as much as you can with the diaper. That way you have much less left over to wipe and a smaller chance of getting yourself dirty in the process!

Straddle

If you straddle your child backwards, without putting any of your weight on them, simply keeping your body close enough that they are unable to go anywhere, you will be able to change the diaper much easier. You will still have to deal with them kicking their legs, but if you hold them up with one hand you will have that taken care of, too. Your toddler won’t like this, but they can’t do much about it. And, they will probably start behaving when you change their diaper next time so they don’t have to be straddled!

Not all of this tips will work for every child and some won’t work for any child. In this instance the parent must get creative and find a way to change their toddler’s diaper. For example, change them in the bathtub so you can immediately wash away any unmentionables. It’s hard, but it is only a phase and your toddler will soon be out of diapers anyway and you will be on to the new challenge of potty training!

Posted in Toddler Time

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