Crying when being Changed...

[HelenD]

DD has suddenly developed a real problem with being changed. Any time you lay her down to be changed she cries loud/hard/almost hysterically. This is remedied only by taking her off the changing table. I did try changing her elsewhere, but get the same reaction. DH and I find this very concerning.

She's been checked for a Urinary tract infection and that came back negative. Her blood work was normal. She's not got a diaper rash or anything else that looks off. She's doesn't have a runny nose nor does she appear to have any teething concerns (both of which might feel worse flat on her back). Nothing has changed in the manner in which I change her.

Any ideas?

TIA.

Helen

[mudder17]

How old is she? DD has developed that as well, although I don't think it's as hysterical as you describe. For some reason, at various times of the day, if we are holding her and we try to lay her down horizontally to be changed, or if we lay her down on the bed so I can feed her, she'll suddenly become upset. But as soon as I either offer her the breast or pick her up, she'll suddenly be all smiles. She also seems to stop crying when I flip her onto her stomach, athough the difference is not quite as dramatic. I'm not sure if she's just protesting the position or what, but they did check her for ear infections or fluid in the ears because they thought that might feel uncomfortable when she's on her back. Maybe it's just a phase?

ETA: she doesn't do it with every change, but she is definitely getting more squirmy during her changes (except when she's half-awake). She also likes to arch her back and grunt and whine like she's uncomfortable, both during change, and when she's feeding. She definitely prefers her stomach to her back at any time of the day!

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_rosequartz_3m.gif Breastfed 3 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[amp]

Join the club. I mean that seriously. You are not the only one who deals with this. I've read of numerous women, on this board alone, who are dealing with this. We are at 14.5 mths and counting. I can't give you ahy indication of when it will go away.

[CiderLogan]

DD went through a phase where I think she thought it was naptime or bedtime any time I laid her down to change her. Could it be that your DD thinks you are about to lay her down (and leave her)? Maybe say something like 'it's diaper time!' to show her this is just changing time or give her a special toy that she sees only when she's being changed?

Jenny
Mom of Julia, 8/03

[mudder17]

Oh, so when I'm laying her down, she may be protesting what she thinks is sleep time? That kind of makes sense, since she hates going to bed! (Sleep well once we leave her and she falls asleep, but she hates going to bed initially!) I like your idea of a special toy and saying "it's diaper time!", even though she doesn't yet understand anything I say. :) I do find that she copes better when I make funny faces and noises at her...


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_rosequartz_3m.gif Breastfed 3 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[Emmas Mom]

Count me as one of the Mom's dealing with this too! Although sometimes it's more wiggling than crying, but both are possible. I find that if I sing to her or give her a usually "off limits" object that she gets distracted enough for me to change her. Boy....doesn't it just make you long for the days after potty training?! ;)

[jbowman]

We have had a similar problem--in fact I just changed DD a minute ago and she started crying! When she was younger, we put a mobile over the changing table--that worked wonders! As she's gotten older (we've removed the mobile) I hand her a "decoy toy" (learned that term on these boards, LOL!) like a linking letter, a block, or even the diaper rash cream tube. I always keep a happy tone in my voice as I change her and say things like, "help mommy so you can go play!" This seems to work--most of the time!

HTH!