https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 04:01:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552630 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 06:35:15 +0000 Cherrybee 1552630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I read the title of your thread I thought "yep, I scream through every one"!! </p> <p>I read somewhere that you should have a special little box full of high-value toys (that's high value to your child - something he will love that is unlike his other toys) that is reserved for activities that LO hates - one for riding in the car, one for nappy (diaper) changes, one for eating out at restaurants. The child is then only allowed to play with these toys during this time. So then you can say "it's time for a nappy change, want to play with your X,Y,Z?"and the child thinks "yay!". I don;t know if it will work, though! These things always sound good in books and then when the real life situation happens I'm usually stumped!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552605 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 06:07:51 +0000 Silva 1552605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have one electronic toy (take along tunes) that I give her if she is totally melting down at changes. We also always sing the same rhymes/tickles. I did get some advice that sometimes trying to make diaper changes a play time/taking your time with them can make it easier than if you try to get them done as quickly as possible, and it's helped us. About a month ago she was doing what you've described- flipping around, flailing, it was really hard to get her diaper on her. We started using these tricks, and either they worked, or she grew out of it (she is almost a year old now). I'm sure, like anything, there are phases.<br /> Sometimes she will cry, but she is easily distracted and doesn't do too much flailing any more, so I can at least get the dang diaper on/not get poop everywhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552602 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 06:02:19 +0000 Applesandbananas 1552602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: thanks! I do find that if I tell him, it's a little better. I'm trying to work on being serious/stern because he's been just looking at me, grinning the most adorable and rotten grin, then doing whatever he wants (flipping, squirming, throwing stuff, etc.) and then when I don't let him, he goes berserk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552601 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:54:10 +0000 Pumuckl 1552601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: My LO is currently really squirmy on the changing pad as well (he is 12m old). I've found it helps if I a.) tell him in advance that we're gonna go change his diaper now and b.) in case he can't hold still anymore, I'll let him turn over grab something of the changing station and then prewarn him again that I'm about to turn him back over on his back. In case he is screaming again I blow rasperries on his belly that always gets him to giggle. Those strategies work sometimes but not always...<br /> Hope it gets better soon! Hugs :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552586 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:26:49 +0000 Applesandbananas 1552586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beyond2: thanks for the commiseration :) I can't imagine this battle at 37w pregnant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552584 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:21:33 +0000 Beyond2 1552584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went through this around a year old and then it got better. Now at almost 19 months were going through it again. It's so frustrating! To top it off I'm 37 weeks pregnant and the wrestling match diaper changes wear me out so much. Sorry I don't have any advice, just commiseration! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-normal-to-scream-through-diaper-changes#post-1552580 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:18:42 +0000 Applesandbananas 1552580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at my wits' end with diaper changes. My one year old screams the entire time, like he's being tortured. I can't stand it! It breaks my heart but he's too young to potty train and there's really no other option. I've tried toys, pulling up videos on my phone, singing, talking, etc. he just SCREAMS. He was flipping and twisting and flailing so I bought a poopoose, which is a changing pad with a thick strap. That helps prevent the flipping and twisting but I think it exacerbates the feeling of being tortured. </p> <p>Even though he doesn't understand, I tell him sternly that this is not play time, to stop, to calm down. I also tell him this softly, I try to soothe him... Nothing works. Sometimes I make my husband do it, he doesn't care if LO screams bloody murder. Some mornings I just tell daycare he needs changed as soon as I drop him off but I realize neither of those are fantastic solutions. </p> <p>I guess I'm just looking for commiseration, reassurance that this is normal, that I'm not actually torturing him... It just sucks. I get so little time with him (I WOH) and I hate that this is such an ordeal. Afterwards we.'re both just grumpy and it sucks! </p>