Help! How do I handle my toddler kicking during diaper changes?

Help! How do I handle my toddler kicking during diaper changes?

As your baby grows into a toddler, you may notice regular daily activities like diaper changes become a Herculean effort on your part. Whether your child kicks and screams because he doesn’t want to stop playing for a few minutes or hates the overall experience of a diaper change, it’s certainly a different ball game once they can voice their opinions on things.

Your toddler is getting stronger and can kick and hit with more force now, possibly hurting you. If you’re desperate for ideas on how to mitigate this scenario without being rough or losing your cool, keep reading. 

toddler kicking during diaper change
Actual photo of me changing my daughter’s diaper

How do I get my toddler to stop kicking during diaper change?

We’ve all been there and understand how frustrating it can be. Here are a few ways to stop your toddler from kicking or redirecting his energy into something else during a diaper change.

1. Be consistent

The most effective way to change your toddler’s behavior is to attempt to correct it consistently every time it happens. When your toddler begins to kick or hit during a diaper change, calmly stop him from doing so. Show him that you are the parent by exhibiting behavior to teach him — by stopping him from hitting you. 

Any time he does this, whether during a change, while you’re playing, eating, etc., the behavior should be corrected. Consistency is key to teaching your little one what behavior is acceptable and what isn’t.

2. Acknowledge his feelings

It’s possible that your child is acting this way because he does not like having his diaper changed or is upset that his playtime was interrupted.

You may find that talking about his feelings, whether he’s angry, annoyed, or upset about leaving his activity, will help calm him down. Explain to him that you understand he is upset about having to stop playtime for a little bit, but you have to change him to keep his bottom clean and healthy. 

3. Offer different options

If lying on the changing table is what is upsetting him, offer him the big boy potty to practice on, or you can try changing his diaper on the floor while he stands up. 

Offer a new changing station location, like on your bed or in the living room, to mix things up. 

As your toddler grows, you may find it’s more difficult to lift him up and lay him on the changing table anyway. It may be easier for both of you to lay him on the floor or change him standing up.

This will take some adjusting and getting used to, but you’ll figure out a new system in no time.

Fighting diaper changes often means that a toddler is ready for potty training. It may be time to start introducing “going potty” conversations if he’s consistently fighting changes and you can’t figure out why.

toddler kicking during diaper change

You might also enjoy: How to change a two-year-old’s diaper

4. Stay calm

Toddlers are particularly opinionated because they are learning about testing limits and seeing what they can get away with. This is developmentally normal behavior — although it may drive you crazy, this is exactly what your child should be doing at this age! 

In the moment, try to stay calm and remember your child is just that — a child. They’re just learning to navigate basic emotions and seeing what behavior is acceptable, and they’re also looking at how you react in certain situations. 

Try taking a few deep breaths, count to five, and gain a bit of perspective on the situation. This will help center you and redirect your frustration into a teaching moment for your child. 

Is it normal for toddlers to fight diaper changes?

Toddlers are notorious for becoming opinionated little monsters around anywhere from 12 to 18 months. It’s an overwhelming phase of growth and change for their brains and their bodies, and many of their actions and reactions reflect that change.

Tantrums and fights during diaper changes are normal at this age, but hitting or hurting you (or anyone else) should always be corrected.

Why does my toddler suddenly hate diaper changes?

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for a sudden change in tolerance for a normal task like a diaper change, but it’s probably due to their quick developmental changes.

Your toddler is growing quickly, and their curiosity is exploding. As a baby, he lay on the table and explored the world with his eyes. Now, he is mobile, energetic, and ready to run around. Stopping even for one minute for a diaper change may feel like forever to your child, so his reaction is to try and avoid it as much as possible. 

As your child’s development continues, testing boundaries is a fundamental way to learn about appropriate behaviors and what’s expected of them. Fighting a diaper change is a way for your child to test reactions and responses to their behavior, so it’s important to stay calm and not overreact (sometimes easier said than done!). 

You might also enjoy reading: Indooor toys for active toddlers

toddler kicking during diaper change

How to make diaper changes fun

Your child may just need some distraction during diaper changes to alleviate their emotional or physical reactions. 

Here are a few ways to make diaper changes fun and distract them from the task so you can get it done quickly:

  • Sing songs they love or put music on your phone
  • Bring their favorite book or toy to distract them 
  • Ask for their help with holding wipes, throwing the diaper away
  • Quiz them on their body parts and celebrate when they answer 

Related post: Trying Pampers Cruisers 360 pull-on diapers might make changing time go more smoothly!

Wrap Up – How to handle a toddler kicking during diaper changes

toddler kicking during diaper change

As with most parts of parenthood, raising toddlers is a constant adjustment for the entire family. They are growing and changing so quickly, and it can be difficult to understand certain behaviors and emotions. 

The diaper change power struggle can be frustrating and isolating, but like so many parts of raising babies, this is just another phase to get through, and then it’ll be long gone. Hang in there!

Related post: How To Stop Toddler From Taking Off Their Pajamas At Night

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