Conference moira::parenting

    
    I used to have them hold the container of diaper wipes, the clean
    diaper, or some other thing.  There's usually some picture on the
    diapers, or the kid will pull a few wipes out.  It's better than chasing
    them around.
    
    Here's when your olympic diaper-changing speed comes in handy.  A
    friend of mine learned to change them standing up - something I never
    mastered nor really wanted to!
    
    If all else fails, they will eventually get uncomfortable enough to
    WANT you to change them .... you could try to "wait it out".

	books
	row-row-row-your-boat
	ba-ba-black-sheep
	loud fake opera or symphonies (no words, just noises)
	animal noises
	tickling
	getting her big sister to talk to her

*and*, when really desparate,  I put her down on the floor
with no diaper and play "Chase me".  I chase her a couple
laps then scoop her up and slap a diaper on her.  Usually
works; you also get the thrill of wondering if *this* time
will be the one you really, really regret....

Pat

    I try to keep Matthew engaged by keeping my face within visual range of
    his as much as possible and talk to him, make faces, practice
    consonants and sounds, etc.  I sing songs which typically evoke some
    sort of reaction in him, such as "if you're happy and you know it clap
    your hands," which usually gets him clapping.  Stuffed animals or toys for 
    him to play with also help.  
    
    Last resort is using the belt attached to the changing table.  
    To be honest, I don't typically use it when changing him
    because having everything I need right there, I'm always standing right
    next to the table with at least one hand on Matthew at all times.  The
    first time I used to belt to restrict his rolling towards the border on
    the wall behind him, he kind of fussed but then quickly accepted it and
    continued playing with the toy in his hand.
    
    Good luck.  It is tough putting those diapers on a squirming baby!
    
    Lynn
    
    By the way, Matthew is just about 10 months old.  
    
    P.S.  When do they start putting on their own diaper?  ;)
    

    Peekaboo with a clean diaper sometimes keeps Atlehi distracted long
    enough to get her cleaned up and rediapered.  She would prefer to be
    bare bottomed and does like to crawl away while I am fussing with the
    diaper and wrap.  
    
    I get the wipe out before I undiaper her if I am expecting a load in
    her britches, and get her cleaned up before whe can get too much
    smeared over the surface she is on.  
    
    I am getting more high speed about getting the diaper in the wrap and
    her back into it.
    
    Then I cuddle her before attemting to put the rest of her clothes back
    on.
    
    Meg

    We have a couple of things that work most of the time. 
    
    I have a basket of small toys next to Lindsey's changing table on her 
    dresser.  Sometime, we take a toy before the changing begins or I give
    her one while changing her.  
    
    One of her favorite distractions used to be her tape player and Barney
    tape that sat on her changing table but she is getting bored with that 
    and now likes the diaper wipes.  We work on her "washing" her face and 
    hands while I'm cleaning her bottom. 
    
    Mom is also getting faster than she used to be.  The worst time is when
    she has a diaper rash and I have to be very soft and gentle, this is a
    bit harder to be fast. 
    
    Lisa

    Melissa and I play where's your nose/ears/mouth/eyes.  If I'm not
    quick enough, we switch to where's Ma Ma's nose/ears/mouth/eyes.
    This is working pretty well for now.  Melissa is 15 months.
    
    She also likes me to put her music box on.  Again, if I'm too slow,
    we must have a reprieve.
    
    Andrea

    
    Thanks so much for the responses, funny the "this old man" and
    other 'noises' I do opera...! we already were doing.
    
    But the bulky wipes on the belly work very good for now.  Cassandra
    is 9 mo old and just getting into 'nose/eyes/mouth' and that worked
    this morning!
    
    
    Well yesterday she grabbed the window blinds and they pulled down right
    on top of us...well never have the excess (bunch at bottom) blinds
    within reach!  But she didn't cry...got spooked by if I can I try to
    make a joke out of it...unless she's really hurt or spooked...and it
    does work...so we laughed and laughed..and of course I'm changing the
    blinds!
    

    I've search the notes file under  ' No ' to see when babies start
    learning what NO really means...can't find anything...pointers please..
    couldn't find any keyword either.
    
    But...the problem is when they hubby changes Cassandra I hear him
    saying NO loud loud during diaper changing and I know she's wiggling
    or being investigative but she's only 9 1/2 months old...she doesn't 
    know NO yet does she?  She looks startled when he starts this...
    probably because of the volume and sterness of his voice so I want
    to convince him that distracting is really only the appropriate
    way now..
    
    when do they start understanding NO?
    
    Cynthia
    

    NEVER!!!!!!!
    
    Andrea

    Actually, you absolutely KNOW when they understand "NO" when you
    ask them to do something and they tell you "NO" and go running in
    the opposite direction.
    
    I know you're not supposed to laugh, but watching that little hiney
    disappear around the corner at full speed is pretty humorous.  

    re -1
    
    >> I know you're not supposed to laugh, but watching that little hiney
        disappear around the corner at full speed is pretty humorous.
    
    Your not??? I laugh then and I am still laughing now since I read your
    reply!
    
    just couldn't resist.
    
    lori

    Cynthia,
    
    i use no with my distractions, but I have been working on "no" since
    Atlehi started teething (as in "NO! don't bite mama!")  "No" and
    distractions together can work well, just as long as both of you agree.  
    
    However, for diaper changing, the distractions work better right now. 
    Atlehi is your daughter's age, and our third, so we are getting used to
    playing.  just move quickly to prevent damage to the surface she is on.
    
    Meg  

our changing table had a high shelf, and we put a mirror
on the underside.  It was fun to watch our kids watch themselves.
bob

    See Note 477. regarding that wonderful word!
    
    Chelsea is going thru another diaper rodeo stage...seems like we have
    gone thru several of these since about 9 months of age.  At almost
    two she is certainly alot harder to keep still.  I have tried all
    of the mentioned techniques for distraction and most of the time they
    work...but there are still those wonderful diaper changes when they
    become possessed the minute they see you with the diaper and wipes.
    
    When she is totally out of control all I can do is try and hold her
    legs down and say "STOP!".  Sometimes it works and other times you
    just try and get that diaper on as fast as you can...beware of flying
    particles.  I always give her a big hug afterwards and tell her thank
    you for letting Mommy change your diaper....even when she is a terror.
    I'm hoping that this will encourage her to not throw another tantrum
    when the next changing is necessary.
    
    ..Lori

    
    Dad's method:
    
    Invest in a ceiling fan.  I switch it on (low) before the diaper change 
    and it works like a charm. 
    
    Mom's method is singing, etc., etc.
    
    (...Dad's method works better...:-))
    
    Dad.