All About Diapers: Changing an Active Toddler

Toddlers are all about independence and being in control. When a diaper is being changed, your child has neither independence nor control. So let's look at a few ways of solving this problem:

• Pick your battles. Changing a wet diaper while your toddler is standing up instead of sitting or laying down may be negotiable (depending on your diaper-changing skills). Changing a poopy diaper standing up is not negotiable.
• Give your child a job. Perhaps your child can be in charge of picking out the clean diaper before the diaper change or taking the dirty diaper over to the trash can. Again, the more independence you give your child, the less of fight you will get.
• Be consistent. If you have several diaper changers (dad, day care providers, etc.), make sure the rules about diaper changes are clear to all caregivers.