How to avoid baby crying when changing his diaper?

Does your baby start crying and wiggling around when it's time to change him? A common situation for many parents, but one that can be very stressful. We reveal our advice to you so that this moment becomes pleasant to live.

Why does baby cry during diaper changes?

According to scientists, the first three months of your baby's life are when he or she cries the most and when the crying is the most intense. Your baby may cry when you change his or her diaper.

During the first few months of his life, baby's crying patterns follow a curve:

• At around 2 to 3 weeks of age, your baby's crying starts to intensify and become more and more frequent;
• Between 6 and 8 weeks, crying reaches a peak;
• Then, until the infant is 12 weeks old, crying decreases.

The average baby cries for two hours a day. Some babies cry more often depending on the time of year, but also on their temperament.

During the first three months, a baby will often cry and then stop suddenly, without really understanding why. This happens especially in the afternoon or early evening. Your child may also cry at night. Sometimes parents can't figure out why their baby does this. Seizures last an average of 45 minutes but can last up to two hours. Don't feel guilty if this happens to your child, crying is normal and not your fault.

According to some studies, babies use crying to express their different needs such as hunger, discomfort, boredom, pain etc...

Although other scientists disagree with this view, babies can express different needs through crying, such as:

• Pain ;
• Hunger;
• Discomfort such as the need to be changed, feeling hot or cold;
• Fatigue;
• The need to be stimulated;
• Or the need to be close to his parent.

A baby may also cry when he or she is sick, has a fever, has a stuffy nose, or when the first teeth appear.

Finally, some scientists say that the intensity of crying would indicate the intensity of the need rather than the need itself. But this view is not unanimous.

How to avoid baby crying during diaper changes?

Although crying during diaper changes is common, there are simple tips to limit it.

Choose the best time to change your baby

If you pay attention to your baby's behavior, you'll realize when is the best time to change him. In fact, to avoid tears, it's better (logically) to choose a time when your baby is calm.

Regulate the temperature of the room

When changing your baby, check that the room temperature is appropriate. Indeed, once your baby is undressed, his body temperature drops very quickly which can cause your baby to cry. It is recommended to have a room always heated to about 24 degrees.

Get a comfortable diaper that fits your baby

Sometimes your baby may cry because his diaper no longer fits. You should choose a diaper size that is adapted to his age and weight.

The same thing happens if you change diaper brands or models and the diapers are not comfortable enough.

Have fun during diapering and listen to her emotions

To make diaper-changing time more enjoyable, it's best to have toys on hand to distract him. Some babies also have a better diaper-changing experience when someone else is around.

Put on clothes that are not too tight

If you give your baby clothes that are too tight, he or she may not be able to put up with them and may be uncomfortable taking off or putting on his or her bodysuit and clothes. It's best to choose loose-fitting clothes that open in the front to give your baby more headroom.

What to do if baby is still crying?

If the above methods still don't work, here are some other tips you can use:

• Talk to your baby in a reassuring way;
• Hold and rock your baby;
• Give your baby a bath;
• Touch his or her belly;
• Provide a quiet environment by reducing ambient sounds and turning down lights;
• If you are breastfeeding your baby, you can breastfeed;
• Have skin-to-skin time with your baby;
• Go for a walk, in a baby carrier or stroller;
• Swaddle your baby;
• Lay your baby down on your stomach and on your forearm;
• Stay calm: if you are stressed yourself, your baby can feel it and this can make the situation worse;

Moreover, if you feel that you are losing patience, that anger is rising, ask your partner or a third person to take your baby. If you are alone, put your baby in his or her bed and move to another room to try to calm down. Go back to check on your baby from time to time to make sure he or she is safe and okay, but it's better to let your baby cry on his or her own than to lose patience and shake your baby.

Never shake your baby, the damage this can cause is serious, irreversible, can impact your child's development and your baby can even die. Wait until you are completely calm before returning to your baby.

If you encounter difficulties, don't hesitate to ask for advice from specialists, and in case of crisis, call numbers like LigneParents, available 24/7, or ask for help from those around you.

The FAQ to stop baby crying during diaper changes

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