2 year old refusing diaper change

+2 votes
asked Dec 27, 2016 in Toddler/Preschooler by Lisa (200 points)
My 2 year old refuses to get his diaper changed and I have to wrestle and hold him down while trying to get his diaper changed?

How can I get my 2 year old son to cooporate with me and let me change his diaper without a struggle?

2 Answers

+1 vote
answered Dec 27, 2016 by Lilly21 (57,780 points)
He's probably in the middle of having fun when you go to change his diaper.

Inform him about 20 minutes before you're ready to change his diaper. Say we'll be changing your diaper soon. You can play for a little while but then we'll need to stop playing and go get a diaper change.

Try to have him help with things like holding an extra diaper. You might also give him a toy to play with while you do a quick diaper change.

Huggies also has those slip on diapers that pull up on them like underwear. You can do standing changes easily with those if he's only wet.
0 votes
answered Dec 31, 2016 by Minty (132,850 points)

Distract them.

Give your toddler a book or a toy to play with. You can even turn something on, such as a story CD.

Connect.

Talk to your toddler, and make funny noises. Lean forward, give him a kiss. 

Be Gentle.

I don’t mean just “not being rough” because that would seem obvious. But if your toddler is struggling, move softly, and gently. Give him some time to play on the changing table (while you hold on to him, of course). Don’t rush it.

Use comfortable diapers.

The diapers he's wearing may be uncomfortable to him. Try different brands of diapers.

Use good wipes. 

Make sure that what you’re using doesn’t irritate your toddler, and definitely opt for a sensitive variety.

Don’t wait until you’re desperate! 

Toddlers sense all kinds of moods, including desperation. So change diapers as soon as possible. In addition, sitting a little longer in a wet diaper can irritate the area.

Be aware of rashes and irritation. 

The worst diaper struggles happen with an irritated tush. If you keep using creams and the rash isn’t going away, talk to your doctor – it could be a fungal infection, and require a prescription.

Be silly. 

Toddlers love silliness, and it’s a great way to lighten the mood for an unwanted activity.

Empathize. 

Especially when it comes to very dirty diapers, or similar “emergencies”, we often forget about our toddler’s feelings. Toddlers are at a stage when they are really beginning to express emotions, and that is what he is doing when he struggles. 

Let him help. 

Toddlers love to “help”. Whether it’s choosing which diaper (the one with Elmo or the one with Big Bird?) or allowing him to wipe his hand with a wipe, while you wipe the bottom, let him feel involved.

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