PLEASE HELP! bad diaper changes, AND won't go to s leep anymore!

I need help

DS is 8 months old. The first problem is that diaper changes are a NIGHTMARE. He sometiems starts crying as soon as I put him down on the changing table. HE grabs at his area like crazy - sometimes he ends up drawing blood. I have to really really restrain him so that he won't grab himself. Sometimes I can manage it - even though he's screaming. But other times he is so strong i can't even keep his legs and arms still! It seems like it is only getting worse. We have toys and books by the changing table for him. THat used to work, but seems to not work anymore. Sometiems I put socks on his hands so at least he can't scratch himself... but he still grabs. Whenever we can, we change DS with two people - one holds his hands and tries to distract him while the other changes the diaper. But, of course, this isn't always possible. Did anyone else ever go through this? WE asked the ped. about it, she said it's normal. But i wonder if she would say that if she actually SAW what happens.

The second problem is that DS is having a really really hard time going to bed at night. He used to go to bed for the night so easily. I would nurse him, he'd fall asleep, and that would be it. I know some peopel woudl say that he shouldn't nurse to go to sleep...but it worked for us, so it didnt' bother me.

NOW, he starts to nurse... but then after a while he stops and does not want to nurse anymore. The other night I tried a bottle, but he didn't want that either. One night the stroller worked to get him to sleep. But the last two nights that didn't work either! Tonight it took an HOUR AND A HALF to get him to sleep..... What is going on with him?? I cna't figure this one out. Did anyone's DC do this?

TIA!

Re: PLEASE HELP! bad diaper changes, AND won't go to s leep anymore!

First, the changing thing is totally normal - unfortunately!! DS is 10 mos and started this around 7 mos or so. Books, singing, toys, the remote, massaging his temples, pacifier... and when all else fails, holding him down and changing as quickly as possible is what we do. We have become adept at changing him in any and all positions - standing up, sitting, in the crib - anything to avoid laying him down and watching him pitch a fit.

This is the age when they begin to not fall asleep on the bottle / nursing and need to have a standard bedtime routine, including learning to fall asleep on their own. Have you considered CIO?

Good luck

Re: PLEASE HELP! bad diaper changes, AND won't go to s leep anymore!

Posted by mrandmrs12

I need help

DS is 8 months old. The first problem is that diaper changes are a NIGHTMARE. He sometiems starts crying as soon as I put him down on the changing table. HE grabs at his area like crazy - sometimes he ends up drawing blood. I have to really really restrain him so that he won't grab himself. Sometimes I can manage it - even though he's screaming. But other times he is so strong i can't even keep his legs and arms still! It seems like it is only getting worse. We have toys and books by the changing table for him. THat used to work, but seems to not work anymore. Sometiems I put socks on his hands so at least he can't scratch himself... but he still grabs. Whenever we can, we change DS with two people - one holds his hands and tries to distract him while the other changes the diaper. But, of course, this isn't always possible. Did anyone else ever go through this? WE asked the ped. about it, she said it's normal. But i wonder if she would say that if she actually SAW what happens.

The second problem is that DS is having a really really hard time going to bed at night. He used to go to bed for the night so easily. I would nurse him, he'd fall asleep, and that would be it. I know some peopel woudl say that he shouldn't nurse to go to sleep...but it worked for us, so it didnt' bother me.

NOW, he starts to nurse... but then after a while he stops and does not want to nurse anymore. The other night I tried a bottle, but he didn't want that either. One night the stroller worked to get him to sleep. But the last two nights that didn't work either! Tonight it took an HOUR AND A HALF to get him to sleep..... What is going on with him?? I cna't figure this one out. Did anyone's DC do this?

TIA!

Message edited 12/5/2008 8:49:10 AM.

Re: PLEASE HELP! bad diaper changes, AND won't go to s leep anymore!

Changing Sophia's diaper before bedtime now has become a wrestling match.

Re: PLEASE HELP! bad diaper changes, AND won't go to s leep anymore!

Sleeping issue- did you have him checked by peds.. maybe hes teething and has an ear infection from? This happened to us.

Diaper issue-- had gone through also.. posted here too b/c it was a nightmare.. I change her on the floor now and give her toys all around to help keep her hands preoccupied. Still there are changes that are difficult b/c she kicks like crazy..