Changing the diaper of your child or the person in your care
The first crucial point is that everything must be within easy reach! This will prevent you from having to contort yourself in all directions and from side to side, and also reduce the risk of falling, where a few seconds of inattention can be enough!
To keep him occupied while you change his diaper, you can give him a toy, sing him a song, or hang a mobile above him.
It's also important to talk to him. By naming the parts of his body you touch (his legs, his feet, his bottom, his genitals, etc.), you'll help him build his body awareness! That is, little by little, he'll understand that he has two feet, two legs, and so on. And he'll also associate the word corresponding to the body part.
Describe what you are doing ("I'm taking off your pants to change your diaper," "I'm going to clean you with the washcloth"). Put words to the sensations ("the washcloth is warm," "the soap smells nice"). This will help them understand what is happening and also contribute to enriching their vocabulary.
Touch is also one of his most developed senses. Your contact with his skin reassures and soothes him. Why not take advantage of this to give him a little massage or even a few tickles?
It's also recommended to turn his pelvis to the side when changing his diaper, instead of lifting his bottom by pulling on his ankles, for example. This isn't good for his hips. You'll see that his pelvis will naturally turn to the side.
As he grows, changing his diaper can become a real gymnastic exercise! He wiggles around, wants to lie on his tummy, get on all fours – a real live wire! Perhaps it's time to try changing his diaper standing up?
What is the point of changing a diaper standing up?
If your child or an adult is a real little worm, this may first of all prevent frustration and also a fall.
The benefit of changing a baby standing up is that it empowers them to be an active participant in their own development. They learn to take care of themselves. You've probably noticed that the older they get, the more they want to do things on their own! They want to do what grown-ups do, test their motor skills, balance, and strength; they want to experiment. They become more independent!
Changing a diaper while standing up creates a role reversal. The child is no longer passive but an active participant, and the adult no longer changes the diaper but assists them in doing so.
When he can stand up, even if he can't walk yet, you can definitely try it! The standing position is more natural for him than lying down.
To help your child feel fully involved and therefore "autonomous," it's helpful to place non-hazardous items like the clean diaper basket, gloves, and trash can within their reach. You can also use a step stool or a Montessori tower, for example, so they can wet the washcloth themselves. You should also assist them in applying soap to the washcloth. The goal of this standing diaper change is for them to participate in their care from beginning to end.
It is also a good idea to suggest that he undress "alone" before the treatment and then get dressed after it.
At first, there will probably be a few pairs of pants put on backwards or one leg tucked in to one side! Getting all their toes into a sock isn't easy either. Gradually, their movements will become more confident and a little faster.
To be at their level if needed and to accompany them without straining your back, you can sit on a step stool or a small chair. It's important that you get down to their level in a position where you feel comfortable.
The steps of a standing diaper change
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He takes a clean diaper and places it where the diaper change will take place standing up, along with a towel to dry himself at the end of the procedure.
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You help him wet the glove and put soap on one side of it.
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You help him/her remove his/her clothes: slippers/shoes, socks, pants, unbutton the bodysuit and pull it up so it doesn't get in the way during diaper changes. A little tip: you can pull it up and fasten it at one shoulder by closing one or two snaps.
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While he's removing the adhesive strips from his diaper, you support him so he doesn't fall on the floor with the lovely surprise inside! Depending on how well the poop is molded or not, you can remove the excess with the clean part of the diaper.
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Help him close it properly and let him, if he wishes, throw it in the bin.
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He can then put his hand inside the glove and, with your instructions, clean himself well, respecting a few rules such as: first cleaning his genitals then his buttocks, insisting a little more if there has been a bowel movement in order to remove everything, cleaning his genitals from top to bottom so as not to bring microbes towards them, etc.
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He will then turn the glove over to the other side, where there is only water, to rinse off the soap (you can also use 2 gloves, one with soap and the other just wet)
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He will put the glove in the laundry basket, unless it needs to be rinsed first. He will then dry himself with the towel.
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Now it's time to put on a clean diaper! He can, for example, open it and put it between his legs, and let you position it correctly. He'll be delighted to fasten his diaper with the tabs! Just make sure the diaper is properly adjusted and fastened.
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The diaper has been changed and he can now get dressed.
Everyone is different and will want to participate more or less at each step. But the more the experience is repeated, the more it will become part of their daily routine, and the more comfortable they will feel and the more they will want to do it on their own. This is also true for you: the more the experience is repeated, the more comfortable you will become with this technique!
We hope you enjoyed this article and that it answered some of your questions! Feel free to share your comments with us.
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