Using Changing Table

[willowonyx]

I was not sure where to put this, so if you feel it should be moved, please do so.

My DD hates getting changed now on the changing table at home.  So, everynight, when we are getting dressed from the bath, I have to dress her standing up.  This attitude towards the changing table has been getting worse over the months.  She is almost a year old.

Any suggestions?  Is this normal?  What did you do to "deal" with this?

thanks!

[Lolly]

Is it the changing table or getting changed she doesn't like? If it is the changing table maybe she doesn't feel safe on it now she is bigger. We stopped using ours quite early on (makes a great place to store towels etc!) and just put the changing mat on the floor, it's a bit hard on your knees sometime but he can't fall off it! I'm not sure what to advise if it is the actual changing as we've not got to that yet but can you distract her with toys or get her to "help" by holding items ready for you maybe?

HTH!

Laura

[Sarahlolly]

Or put your lo on your bed and kneel up (better on the back!!!).  Obviously don't leave baby on bed though!!!!

Sarah x

[SAHNE]

DS hated the changing table after about 10-11 mons, so we just used a blanket/changing pad on the floor, he instantly was much easier to change, dress, etc.  Just make sure he/she has an interesting toy/item to hold

[willowonyx]

Well, she is not a huge fan of putting on/taking clothes off, but she gets more mad, and always has, when you lay her down to change her. 

I do give her toys to play with and after about 30 seconds, throws them on the floor.

The only thing I can think of is to lay her on the floor, but have a feeling she is going to flip over and try to crawl away.  I guess that is better than what she does now, tries to flip over while on the table or while standing up on the table, pulls everything off the shelves in front of her.

[JKL]

I actually still use the changing table for my ultra spirited ds--if I try on the floor, he absolutely will not stay still.  DH had to build an extension onto the changing table belt cause ds was too big    Anyway, I have a bulletin board right beside the changing table with pictures of ds' current fave things--I switch them out every day or so.  While I change him, we talk or sing about the pictures, sometimes he holds them and sometimes just points or looks at them.  If I get desperate, he also loves to hold a (clean diaper, or am empty wipes package, etc.   Sometimes I'll bring out an old stuffed anilmal that he hasn't seen in a while....or a book or 2 that he only gets to have when I'm changing him.  You get the idea!    HTH!

[¤ Efka ¤]

We have not used changing table form 6 months.
It was floor then. Then when he was about 1 year he started to really hate diaperchanges. And thats when I started to buy pull ups. But now 2 month slater, when I chase him down And give him something he will stay for diaper chnage.Now dressing is another story.

[willowonyx]

Yup, it seems that every  diaper change is a test of "what will entertain her the longest"

[lisacaledon]

Still using changing table at 19 months! My DS went through a 'rebellious' phase at 12 months but has come out the other side. Basically, I adopted a 'no-nonsense' approach - he had no choice about getting his nappy changed! As Tracy suggests in her book, this is the one time when bribery is acceptable - he gets whatever he points at to keep him occupied!

P.S. The changing table is a sturdy set of drawers that doubles as a changer with a padded mat; my DS is also very small for his age so he is still very comfortable on it and now enjoys is again.

[MissTVWorlds]

I blow raspberries on her tummy while changing makes her laugh and stops her from rolling all over and generally fighting to get away though if they've had a poo might not want to lol.
Giving her something to play with never works anymore she just throws it away more interested in trying crawl away

[deb]

Unless there's an ultra-messy diaper, we do most of our diaper changes either standing or on the run - literally running after her, catching her, tickling her while putting something on her (hopefully), and then continuing for the next piece of clothing. Once in a while she'll stand still (especially at the toilet), but she uses the changing pad pretty seldom (we have it on the dresser as that's a good height for DH and me and saved us buying a piece of furniture for that tiny room). By this age Josie had trashed hers and needed to be changed on the floor instead of the dresser, but Nat's used hers so seldom that it's still in good enough shape to pass on, if that gives you any indication. LOL

If standing up works, I'd go with it. It's a skill I also found useful for potty-training, especially when I worked at J&N's preschool and was in charge of taking the 2- and 3-year-olds to the bathroom, changing them, and hopefully training them along the way. Incidentally, when the kid's wearing a shirt, I found it a lot easier to put the diaper on with the shirt tucked in and then pull it back out when the diaper was on; no sense trying to put on a diaper with two hands and hold up a shirt with a third!

[Layla]

I'm the same as Deb. I really don't care if mine get changed on the floor, standing up (unless soiled), on my bed, etc.... I've stopped using the changing table a looong time ago (since she was 3 months really). If your baby is not comfortable, respect that & change her on the floor. Sure she might flip around but then try & be creative & pass her something that she's never held before or hang something over your neck (which works here well) so that she can play with that while you do a quick change 

hth
Layla

[willowonyx]

Thanks everyone for the ideas and notes.

We are basically at the point of her pulling everything down fromt he shelves if she is standing or her playing with what ever I give her for about 10 seconds and then throwing it on the ground (she is into the dropping everything mode).

So we will see where she goes next!