What is the best way to change a diaper when your baby keeps kicking?


My 5 month old son loves to jump and kick. When I lay him in his bed he kicks and laughs. He does the same thing when I change his diaper. It makes the task very difficult. Any suggestions on what to do? I have tried holding his legs down but that just seems mean and he doesn't like it at all. Last night he got poop all over his heel and foot because he kicked right into his dirty diaper. It is a bit frustrating.


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12 Responses to “What is the best way to change a diaper when your baby keeps kicking?”

  1. Hold both his legs up with one hand by heels & get busy with other hand cleansing. I would say "buns up!" & soon child will learn the process & co-operate. This method leads to less struggle & cuts down on the legs spread struggle.

  2. Look at him in the eyes and tell him he will never amount to anything in life.

  3. Jenni . (: Says:

    Keep him distracted. Give him a stuffed animal or some sort of toy while you change him. It will keep his mind off of kicking and moving around.

  4. Cheesehead Says:

    you slap him

  5. Horrible Answers Says:

    heroine or crystal meth or morphine

  6. Catie's Pregnant Due 10/3 Says:

    I always grabbed my babies by the ankles once I had loosened the diapers. That way the couldnt kick. I held them lightly. I would try giving him a toy to occupy his hands. It will save you alot of mess.

  7. My_Babies_Mommy Says:

    I give my 10 mo old a toy to hold. This keeps her occupied long enough for me to get a clean diaper on. (she’s been a kicker since early on, too.)

    Mother to 4 beautiful children with Identical Twin Girls Due Spet. 2009

  8. Ethan's mom! Says:

    Haha, my son is 10 months old and he STILL does this. A few things that help are:

    1. Give him something to play with on the changing table. I always give my son something small like a little bear or even a diaper. He loves playing with a diaper. This way he’s distracted and I get the job done!
    2. Just deal with it. It sucks but sometimes when I’m in a rush I have to be stern and just sort of "pin" him down (not hurting him obviously.) He’ll get over it, believe me.

    My son is constantly squirming and I think around 5-6 months was the time he also started to want to get off his changing table. Good luck!

  9. Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Says:

    LOL!!! I remember those days. That’s just something you have to figure out. Don’t know what to tell you. My daughter did the same thing but eventually she stopped. Just try holding his legs up and together while ur wiping him.

  10. Tell him no in a stern voice.What’s more important,holding his leg and thinking its mean,or poop all over? He’ll be fine.There’s gonna be alot of things you’ll do in his best interest that he won’t like!

  11. I usually give my son some sort of toy to play with. Though I hate to tell you that the older he gets, the worse it will probably get. My son is 7 months and now he will flip over as soon as I get his diaper off and take off butt naked (especially if I’m changing him on the bed). While it’s annoying, it is so cute!

  12. It’ll be over soon. They start trying to help out soon. Most babies don’t like the feel of poop between their toes either. You might distract with a binki for now.