Anyone Else's Infant Suddenly Hate the Changing Table?

Updated on July 10, 2007
J.C. asks from South Hamilton, MA
15 answers

My son is ten months old and until this week loved being on his changing table. It seems that suddenly overnight I try to put him down on the table and he straightens his legs so he can't lie down and once he is lying down screams and screams while getting his diaper changed. He tries to turn over or sit up. What is going on? Nothing has ever happened to him while there - falling or anything, and he is only taken care of by family members who I have also asked if anything has happened. Is this a behavioral thing? Could it be now that he is more mobile he just doesn't want to lie down for a diaper change? He is fine the second you pick him up by the way!!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your responses on my son's "hating the changing table". What I neglected to mention in my first request is that my son had a cold at this time. A huge thing to neglect adding. I called the doctor and they said he could have an ear infection. He went right in that day and sure enough - both ears were red. Not terribly bad, but as the doctor said - "red enough to treat" . My son has been on amoxicillin for 7 days and it MUCH MUCH happier! I feel so badly that he was in pain and I didn't know!!!!

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J.B.

answers from Springfield on

I went through this with both of my boys. They hated being kept still for any about of time. I became an expert on changing them while they were standing up, on my lap, in the dark etc. My best advice though would be to stop using his changing table. With all the wiggling and screaming its too stressful and he could fall, so just change him on the floor. I use to keep a little basket of "Special toys" he could only hold while I was changing him. Good Luck

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H.M.

answers from Lewiston on

J.,
You called it! It's likely that now that he's mobile, he doesn't want to stop for the diaper change. For safety, I would change him on the floor if he's that squirmy. Many moms learn- quickly, too- how to change the baby standing up at this point as well. Saves the screaming and flipping out. Make sure you give him time to process the change in his activity by telling him a minute before you sweep him away that it's time for a diaper change. You could even bring the diaper and wipes to him where he is playing and change him there. That way he can finish up his play (nobody likes to be rudely interrupted when they're deep in thought!). Good luck! It will pass, I promise!
H.

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R.S.

answers from Providence on

Most kids stop liking to have their diapers changed once they're mobile. They don't want to sit still that long, I distract my daughter with toys or something she usually doesn't get to play with. Like my keys. He might also just be afraid of being up that high, my son became afraid of being on a changing table as he got older. You might want to try changing him on the floor.

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W.D.

answers from Boston on

two kids - never have used a changing table! I always used the floor.. that way I had my two hands and didnt' have to worry about them falling off.. My son hated the changing table too, but I just preferred the floor.

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R.B.

answers from Providence on

Yup-totally normal! We had to give our boy the digital ear thermometer to distract him! It helps to have "non-toy" toys around for changing time-stuff youwouldn't normally let him play with.
Everyone I know has had this happen to them.

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B.W.

answers from Lewiston on

Hi J. -- This sounds very familiar. Once both of my daughters reached about the same age, they hated to have to lie still for a diaper change. I kinda felt like they didn't want to have to stop playing to lie still. For a while giving them a different toy or things they didn't normally get to touch, like a cell phone, kept them still if I was quick. Then we gave up and just used the floor. Once they got a little older, I made sure to use a bathroom floor (with something clean under them if out of the home) so they would start associating that function with the bathroom. Good luck and hang in there!

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M.S.

answers from Boston on

Same thing happened with my daughter at that age. I was so worried about her wriggling away from me and falling that I just moved the changing pad to the floor and she's usually much happier there -- and when she does still squirm, I know she can't hurt herself. I also keep the diapers in her bottom dresser drawer now so they're out of the way but next to the new changing area.

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S.M.

answers from Boston on

My daughter did the same thing about 10mo (she is 13mo now). One thing that still works for us is putting on sunglasses on her (and sometimes us to be funny) - that distacts her pretty well. Just make sure to give him a pair you don't mind if he bends or breaks. Also, try giving him things he wouldn't ordinarily get like a tv remote without batteries or measuring spoons. Lastly, if none of this works, try putting him on the floor - at least you won't worry about him falling off the table. Good Luck!

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K.N.

answers from Boston on

hi J.,
hate to tell ya but thats exactly what he is doing. once he figured out that he can try and get up he will and at this stage they hate having a diaper change becuase they hate being confined for any length of time. you basically have to sit on them lol to change them. these daiper changes will only get more challenging unless you figure out a creative way to put them on him. my son is 11 months and trys to squirm away but i usually sing to him as i am doing it or give him something like my cell phone or a toy to occupy him while i change him really quick. hope this helps and good luck

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E.S.

answers from Providence on

When my daughter went through this (she's now 13 months) we started changing her standing up (unless it was a poopy diap. obviously). Her changing pad is on a bureau with a mirror attached, so she could tell me all about how pretty she is while being changed. This is actually a good start toward toilet training as well (eventually he'll be able to pull his own pants up and down)

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K.G.

answers from Boston on

My son did the same thing around the same time. I just put a towel on his floor and changed him.

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M.T.

answers from Springfield on

I have a ten and a half month old son and my son has been doing that for a couple of months...ever since he started sitting up by himself. And before that it wasn't the screaming but always trying to roll over. We either just change him quickly, or give him something to occupy himself while we change his diaper. They are just getting independent and they have strong personalities and don't want to be sitting there. Sometimes my son is completely fine being changed and others I hope my neighbors can't hear him crying!! My mom keeps on telling me it only gets better and you end up changing their diapers on the floor while they crawl away!! Enjoy this time...it goes by all too quickly :-)

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K.F.

answers from Boston on

My kids both refused to lie on their backs to have their diapers changed as soon as they were capable of rolling over. I eventually switched to Pampers Easy Ups pull-on diapers to make the process easier and more mobile.

Good luck!
K.

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L.S.

answers from Boston on

What's going on?? Nothing! It's just that your baby is growing up and he is sooo interested in all the things around him and the fact that he can sit and roll over. You are trying to pin him down for something boring like a diaper change??? no way. He wants to grab everything in his reach, and do all the exiting things he can now do. My advise, skip the changing table, put him down on your bed or the rug and give give him something interesting to look at and hold ( mine likes the remote!) And of course he will scream! You are cutting into his exploring time!!!Distraction, distraction distraction...that's all I have to say!

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J.R.

answers from Portland on

i had that problem with my son, and still do. i just change his diaper while he stands up. it saves a lot of frustration.

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