Dumb Question - Diaper Changes

MamaInMN

I'm feeling silly here but I need help!  LO screams bloody murder through 90% of her diaper changes.  Doesn't seem to matter what state she is in (sleepy, just ate, alert, etc).  We have tried singing, talking, paci, both of us helping (one soothing, one changing), going slow, going fast, giving her some rubs as we go - nothing seems to calm her.  She arches her back and kicks her legs so strongly.  Just now, she moved the changing pad a good 6 inches by kicking (we need to secure it, I know!). Then it took15 minutes afterwards for her to stop crying those big alligator tears.

Any ideas on how to make it less horrible for her? DH thinks there's nothing we can do and just to make it as fast as possible to get it over with but I just keep thinking there must be SOMETHING that will help her be more comfortable.  It seems like the simplest thing so I'm frustrated we can't figure this out...all tips welcome! Thanks in advance!

AppleMuffins

I've seen these swaddle things for changing pads. They seemed a bit silly to me, but in your case it might be worth a shot? Some LOs just hate changing time. Any music or white noise you can play loudly? Sometimes loud noises can distract them long enough for you to hurry while they forget they're upset. Sounds tough though. Hang in there!

myglow

Not a dumb questionat all. But my only suggestion that has worked for us was to keep her warm. Warm hands warm room and keeping her body as covered as possible.

aislinsmom

No suggestions I just wanted to say I know exactly how you feel. DS hates being changed and cries his head off almost every time. I think it's just a phase; I remember DD hating it at first too. She eventually calmed way down.

Burrberrymum

I have no suggestions either sorry but my LO does the same! She HATES being changed, I've tried putting the mobile on for her and talking to her, rubbing her and nothing seems to soothe her during a diaper change.

Tally879

Mine hated them too until his umbilical cord fell off. I think it irritated it.

leahaustin

My LO also hates getting her diapers and clothes changed. I just try to make it as quick as possible.

scruggsa

Have you tried a wipe warmer? Maybe worth a try if you are not using one already.

Kristonita12

No advice, but just wanted to say my baby does this, too. It'll pass, I think!

sugarellie

My LO hates diaper and clothes changes. He screams 95% of the time. But like one PP said , the only thing that kind of helps is keeping him warm. We turn any ceiling fans off in the room and we lay one of those gerber white burp cloths on his changing pad so the cold plastic isn't against him. He still will cry but not as bad as when he is cold ..

Babymassey13

My LO only cries when DH changes her. Sometimes she'll let out a cry with me but its mostly because she's hungry. My only suggestion is like pp have said keeping then warm. Definitely turn off a ceiling fan if there is one. I lay a burp cloth under her so she's not touching the plastic. I'm afraid of wipe warmers so I put a few wipes in my bra right when we start. By the time I'm ready to wipe her they're warm enough. DH uses his hands, he just cups them for a few minute or so to take that icey cold edge off of them.

magdalina.h

Only time helped us with Lucas

OliveMom3

Have you tried a hair dryer? This is out magic trick to calm him down during changes. We put it on a low heat low intensity and use it to completely dry his bum between changes. The second we turn it on he stops crying. I've been warned that he can get "addicted" to it, but this is the least of my worries. I am willing to invest in a travel hair dryer if needed for the diaper bag sometimes you have to buy peace to avoid war.

redfallon

Our changing pad has a cover on it, so DD does not touch the plastic of the changing pad. I also put a small hand towel on top of the cover where her butt goes in case she has anything come out while changing her. We rarely have issues with her crying during a change. Most of the time, she doesn't like it when the diaper is off, but when we put the new one on and pick her up, she's fine.

Baxterman

Try a warmer for the wet wipes. We use the munchkin standard wipe warmer. That might make it a little less uncomfortable. Also, my newborn loves to stare at this orange light that we have in the room while he is changed. Maybe some sort of light or distraction for her to focus on? Good luck!! I feel like every day we solve one baby challenge only to find a new one By the end I expect to be a professional problem solver! 

sugarkissed

Wipes warmers made a world of difference for us.  I thought they were a waste of money and unnecessary before she was born... a few days later I was begging DH to go buy one.  

MamaInMN

Thanks all for the advice...and its good to hear LO is not the only one who hates them. We use cloth diapers and wipes...does anyone know if a wipe warmer would still work? Not sure of it would matter because she cries way before the wipes or anything touches her bum but I will try anything at this point!

@AppleMuffins those swaddle things look awesome, I didn't know they existed. Only problem is I am right handed and DH is left handed so we kay her opposite directions on the table

Pockety

We swaddled DS's arms with a cloth we were given at his Bris. It had something to do with the ceremony, but it was basically just a long cloth, probably 12" wide. We wrapped him in it, so it pinned his arms, before we started the diaper change, and made sure the ends went under him at least once, so he couldn't unwrap it. You could also just fold a receiving blanket and do the same. Doesn't have to be an amazing swaddle, since you aren't leaving them in it.

emorda

Sing the alphabet song (A-B-C-D-E-F-G...) to her each time and keep repeating. Keep repeating the entire time you are changing her. Yes, very simple but has worked for me for every time! Make sure it's loud enough, not just under your breath.  

JamieWM

How old is LO? DS was brutal until 2 weeks old

MamaInMN

JamieWM said:

How old is LO? DS was brutal until 2 weeks old

@JamieWM she is 3 weeks....