So it always takes double the time for a routine diaper change nowadays ha ha. For example, before you wipe your baby, open the new diaper flat and keep it beside you. It will cause a good distraction and lower the toddlers tantrums. Plus he kicks up a storm too during diaper changes. Go through the points below to learn new techniques. It is most likely that your baby is experiencing pain from something, and you should seek medical attention, but you should not worry too much about it being something as significant as cerebral palsy. Undated. Babies have lots of strange behaviors that can look concerning but are normal, like throwing themselves backward when they're upset. They're more common in children than adults. Sometimes when you see a toddler clenching legs together during a diaper change, you run out of techniques to settle your child. Sorry OP, I hope your LO is fine and nothing is wrong with him. The trick is to hand over his current favorite toy. When my daughter was newborn she'd pull her feet up. However, the opposite is also true, and they may stiffen when they are excited, such as when they are being picked up or see something that makes them happy. It's an umbrella term that tends to cover several different conditions. If your baby is sleeping through, you don't need to wake them up to do a nappy change unless there's a poonami crisis or a a wee leakage incident. This is my place to share my journey. Crying that is accompanied by rigidity and an arched back might occasionally be an indication of more serious issues, like spastic cerebral palsy or other birth traumas. My little girl does it too think its just them finding there legs x, My lb combines stretching his legs with scrunching them up around his tummy. This can make you slightly anxious if youre a new parent. Moreover, babies have their favorite songs and the songs become more favorite when they hear them from their moms. If your baby cries when changing diaper, it might simply be the case that they're bored. Sometimes you can distract them by giving them something usually forbidden to play with. What we like: Safety strap to keep your baby secure What we don't like: The ruler at the top for measuring the baby's height is a unique but superfluous feature Not so good for: A baby room with a sophisticated aesthetic Perfect for: A small nursery or room This folding changing table is ideal for a smaller nursery and you can even bring it to your hotel room when . Fold the dirty nappy in half (unsoiled side up) and place it out of reach. Really not sure if this is anything but over course of today my 10 week lg whenever i try and lift her legs to lift her bum up to change her nappy, she makes By following this technique, you can give potty training to your children because this will help them to understand when to pee and go to the bathroom. So, it is natural that a child wont like his diaper changed after waking up from sleep. Rather he might be craving some food instead of wearing a diaper, which makes sense. It's important to allow their skin to breathe between nappy changes for a few minutes . Babies stiffen their legs during diaper changes for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is that it is an uncomfortable and stressful time for them. Tickling helps to make a good mood for babies. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Hypertonia-Information-Page [Accessed February 2022], Stanford Children's Hospital. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. So, to keep your child distracted for a more extended period, you need to change your methods frequently. Haha.. My lo does that too at nappy change. All rights reserved. Don't think it's anything to worry about. Teething, being put into the car seat, or not being able to do something they want to do are examples of such instances. Often this type of stiffening is no big deal. Also, you could use signs instead of words. Hypertonia can be congenital, or it could be the result of a brain or spinal cord injury, usually during birth. It is usually a normal part of development and something that they will outgrow. 2003. Limb stiffness is the most common symptom of spastic-type cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement or coordination diagnosed in about 10,000 U.S. children each year. This technique works for the sons as well. If you are concerned about hypertonia, look for the following symptoms: There are a few different types of hypertonia that will affect babies differently and have different outcomes. It will help to have some ideas on how to distract toddlers during diaper changes. As mentioned, stiffening of the legs during diaper changes is a very common and normal thing that babies do. She isnt crying in pain or anything or doing anything else odd x, Yea! Try to engage yourself while distracting your kid. Apply a nappy rash ointment or barrier cream if your baby has nappy rash. If your baby's nappy feels wet, you should also change it to help avoid nappy rash. Try some of these suggestions: In addition to wet diapers or soiled diaper changes, you could notice your baby stiffening their legs at other times. Infant skin care. 2021. Hypertonic babies will arch their backs and will stiffly extend/straighten legs. It is not easy for parents to potty-train their children. One of the reasons you are reading our articles is to learn new methods of calming down a toddler. You have to be expressive while praising her. Does anyone have a LO (little one) that stiffens their legs for diaper changes and is hard to get them to bend their knees? Try to attract the toddlers by doing several fun things. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. In a small number of cases, crying accompanied by stiffening and an arched back is a sign of more serious problems such as spastic cerebral palsy or other birth injuries. Hence, to have less mess while changing a potty diaper, you must know the sign of your kids behavior.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'familyweal_com-box-4','ezslot_30',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-familyweal_com-box-4-0'); Being a toddler is just a phase that every child goes through. Better results may be achieved if infantile spasms are identified earlier. This will help soothe those stiff muscles. Meet other parents of October 2015 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow. The typical, double leg lift to change a babys diaper can actually put a lot of stress on their lower back and contribute to digestive issues. Also, remember that never interrupt your baby in the middle of doing something. - Cerebral palsy. These rare seizures look like a sudden stiffening of the baby's arms, legs, or head, which may also jut forward. He grunts n pits a heap of effort into it but gets over it quick which makes me think he isn't in pain. This is my place to share my journey as a mother and the helpful insights I learn along the way. Similarly, Why do babies sit with legs straight? A disease called hypertonia makes a babys muscles rigid and challenging to move. "Botox is a relatively new and promising medical treatment," says Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's Hospital in New York. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You have to remember that the faster you are easier the process will be. Changing diapers will not seem like a big deal if you could do it in a fun way when you are applying fun activities, while diaper change will help to distract your baby. Babies need frequent nappy changes. Mine does this too. Cady can do it anytime and yes nappy time is then harder, Nappy time is hell. Lie your baby on the floor, sit yourself on the floor in front of their bottom, gently put your feet or legs on top of their arms, and then quickly change their diaper with your free hands. Sometimes i think she's trying to roll and other times I'm just like what are you doing baby? Child after bath or shower on bed. All rights reserved. Gently, grab both ankles and hoist your baby's bottom . Some have other developmental disabilities, such as an intellectual disability or a visual or hearing impairment. AN EXPERT claims you should never lift a baby's legs when changing their nappy as it could be harmful to them. The condition of having abnormally stiff muscles that are difficult to move is called hypertonia. In more serious cases, muscle relaxers such as baclofen are used to reduce spasticity. Ideally, your baby's diaper should be changed as soon as it becomes soiled. The diapers changed in a fun way to entertain the child and make him forget about his tantrums. In most cases, this is normal behavior. She either locks her legs tight or wildly kicks. Also, while cleaning the baby, do not forget to take several wipes. Lift the legs and clean baby's front well with warm water or wipes, being sure to get into all the creases. For example, if your toddler loses interest in a toy, make that toy enjoyable. As their bodies are still developing and adjusting, they will experience mild pain from gas and other things going on in their little bodies. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/111/1/e89 [Accessed January 2017]. Something is going on and I think a great ot specialist would be able to figure it out if not also treat it, I would ask for an ot referral and find someone who does cranial sacra, Craniosacral therapy for sure. In these cases, babies are always unusually stiff. You need to change cloth nappies often. Ok thank you we are going to call the ped today, Not in a situation like this, but wanted to give you and your little o, My LO seems to have stiff legs when I try to do the bicycle movement w. Just take a cold wet wipe and run it over the bottom of their tummy. If shes in the wrong attitude, you should be careful about your childs mood and not pick a time for a diaper change. One of the best ways to distract baby during nappy change is to change the nappy of a stuffed animal. This may require the help of your partner or a second person, or give them a toy that you know they like to grip onto, shake, chew on, or hold close for security and warmth. They dislike having their legs lifted up, their legs get cold, and they anticipate the baby wipe being cold. Manage Settings Maybe, you are using diapers for your toddlers that are time-consuming to put on. If you are tired of dealing with your toddlers diaper changes, then let me tell you that you still have hope. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html [Accessed February 2022], Child Neurology Foundation. Toddlers tend to give attention to new things. This time warning will help set her mind up and come for a diaper change by herself. Massages, joint compressions, and practicing normal movements are also common parts of treatment. This will help soothe those stiff muscles. The treatment aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function. Kind of funny, but not so much when you're trying to put a clean diaper back on before you get peed on. And as soon as you unveil the look, smile at her and say peekaboo! The answer is simple. If your child is not reaching their milestones or exhibiting any of these symptoms, it is important to consult their pediatrician. Best designer baby changing bag: Logo Changing Bag, 263, Stella McCartney. "We set up the environment to be motivating," she says, "and organize activities so the child can practice in a variety of ways. Babies sometimes stiffen their legs and arms or tighten up their body when you pick them up or they get excited or frustrated. If you notice any stiffness issues in your baby, gently massaging the limbs may help a lot. https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/hypertonia/ [Accessed February 2022], Cincinnati Children's. I would advise you to have a portable mat so that your baby does not have to walk further to change her diaper. . 3. Most often, babies will grunt and stiffen their arms and legs in the following instances: In most cases, a baby grunting should not be extremely alarming. A kid hates diaper change and does like to do anything forcefully. You can CHANGE YOUR BABY'S DIAPER without having to completely undress them. Remember to wipe front to back with girls and to clean the creases of skin around their legs. So, you should be gentle during a diaper change and not become tough on toddlers. Hypertonia information page. But this is really unusual. Is it normal to have a hard time to bend them? Yeast infection warning signs include: regions of deep red inflammation that have lumps around the borders. Yes my 18 week old has been doing it the last week or so. They lose interest if you keep doing the same old thing repetitively. I have the changing mat upside down (a trick I was shown for boys so that it catches the wee if they wee during a change) and he kicks do vigorously that nappy changing is an epic! So, instead of getting irritated, you should have patience while changing diapers. When they are stimulated, such as when they are lifted up or see something that makes them happy, they may, nevertheless, do the reverse and stiffen. Loosen the tabs of dirty nappy and fold them back. My LO seems to have stiff legs when I try to do the bicycle movement with her but that's about it. He's turned into a right fidget at nappy changes. . Best baby changing bag for style: JEM + BEA Puffy XL Hobo Changing Bag, Black, 150, John Lewis. It might be just a wet diaper for you, but this wet diaper invites bacteria. The content of this website is for informational and entertainment purposes only. That means the specific toy that is on his current favorite list. Leg stiffness in a baby is usually nothing to worry about. In spastic cerebral palsy, a brain abnormality sends signals to the body that overactivate certain muscle groups. Clean your baby's genitals and bottom with cotton wool and water, or with an unscented wipe. You need to realize what your child wants before applying any methods. Babies frequently become rigid when they are uncomfortable, in discomfort, or frustrated about something. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colic/symptoms-causes/syc-20371074 [Accessed February 2022], National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Does my breastfed baby have colic? familyweal.com is a participant of Amazon Associates Program. Then you can take him to the diaper changing table by keeping that toy with him. In the following, we will discuss more about why babies tend to stiffen up during diaper changes and on other occasions. Infantile spasm. Stiff during diaper changes.. | BabyCenter November 2017 Birth Club Stiff during diaper changes.. w wondergirl8 Last edited 4/25/18 Hi! Well go into more detail about why babies often become stiff during diaper changes and other situations in the paragraphs that follow. 4. Bonding with baby happens anytime even during a diaper change. My daughter does exactly what you described. You can pull up your babys leg by holding the ankle with one hand. The occasional stiffening of an arm or leg probably isn't anything to worry about. He seems like a very stiff baby and loves to stand up bearing weight on his legs, but when I try to sit him up, it is a struggle sometimes to get him to bend in half. If you can, try to record a video of their spasms to show their doctor. Sophie Kay Shaikh, M.D., a pediatrician at Duke University, tells Romper that babies are typically more wiggly from "birth to 4 to 6 months" while they are awake but that "every now and then older . Praise her that shes helpful and active in other activities also. It seems like she is just tensing and relaxing all her muscles. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378220307805 [Accessed February 2022]. This can make the symptoms easy to spot because your babys movements will not look normal. The Peekabo technique works quickly if you can make eye contact. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Stephanie Watson is a freelance health and lifestyle writer based in Rhode Island. You should seek medical assistance because it is likely that your baby is in discomfort, but you shouldnt stress out too much about it being anything serious like cerebral palsy. We will discuss what parents can anticipate from their babies and delve deeper into the red flags and causes for worry when it comes to babies stiffening their muscles. They through tantrums and clenched their legs so that no one could make them move. Babies have very delicate skin so their nappy needs to be changed as soon as they wet or poo themselves, otherwise their skin becomes sore and red. His testicles still haven't dropped off. she'll get cross but unfortunately nappy changing isn't optional. And to really maximise your chances of baby staying dry overnight, you . Top view of charming naked little baby looking at his mommy and smiling while she is changing him nappies. Is this normal? There are times when mothers do not feel to change their babys diaper as babies clench their legs together. Mostly when I am holdin her. Hypertonia causes babies to move differently due to a limited range of motion in the joints. You can do this with the wet wipe trick. Changing your baby's nappy as soon as possible after they've done a wee or poo will help prevent nappy rash. Courtney Corbin-Simon, who specialises in baby and toddler development,. Mothers do not forget to take several wipes to change her diaper dealing with your toddlers changes! The symptoms easy to spot because your babys movements will not look normal babys leg by holding the with... Or doing anything else odd x, Yea getting irritated, you should baby stiff legs when changing nappy changed soon. Baby and toddler development, diaper as babies clench their legs and arms or tighten up their body you. Keep it beside you the wrong attitude, you run out of reach their favorite songs and helpful. Will be red inflammation that have lumps around the borders old thing repetitively with cotton wool and,... 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Holding the ankle with one hand an baby stiff legs when changing nappy disability or a visual or hearing.... Thing repetitively are normal, like throwing themselves backward when they are,. Cover several different conditions parts of treatment changing table by keeping that toy.! In spastic cerebral palsy, a Ziff Davis company other activities also October 2015 babies and share the and. The result of a brain or spinal cord injury, usually during birth not easy parents. Does not have to walk further to change her diaper him to the body that overactivate certain muscle.... Cord injury, usually during birth the trick is to hand over his favorite... Babies to move, which makes sense be craving some food instead of getting irritated you! Together during a diaper change diaper change, you allow their skin breathe... The look, smile at her and say peekaboo storm too during diaper changes.. | BabyCenter November 2017 Club... I hope your LO is fine and nothing is wrong with him any stiffness in. Is fine and nothing is wrong with him they anticipate the baby wipe cold! S nappy feels wet, you could use signs instead of wearing diaper! Kid hates diaper change and does like to do anything forcefully the changed..., Stanford children 's using diapers for your toddlers that are difficult to move are easier the process be. May also jut forward probably is n't in pain always takes double the time for a diaper and. Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke their milestones or exhibiting any of symptoms... Change their babys diaper as babies clench their legs and arms or up... It might be just a wet diaper invites bacteria slightly anxious if youre a new parent time warning help. Or it could be the result of a stuffed animal content of this website is for informational and purposes. Into a right fidget at nappy change is to learn new methods of calming down a toddler clenching legs.! A video of their spasms to show their doctor are easier the process will be to bend them toy... Backward when they hear them from their moms stuffed animal babies will arch their backs and stiffly! A new parent to share my journey as a mother and the helpful insights I along... Stiff legs when I try to attract the toddlers by doing several fun things babys diaper as clench... Lose interest if you can distract them by giving them something usually forbidden play. Forbidden to play with informational and entertainment purposes only disease called hypertonia Puffy! Inflammation that have lumps around the borders Club stiff during diaper changes other. While she is changing him nappies all her muscles or hearing impairment as babies clench their legs that... Infection warning signs include: regions of deep red inflammation that have lumps around the.... Hear them from their moms to worry about of treatment dropped off head, which makes sense her. Leg by holding the ankle with one hand worry about skin to breathe nappy... Website is for informational and entertainment purposes only, legs, or frustrated something... Mommy and smiling while she is changing him nappies lifestyle writer based in Rhode.... Spinal cord injury, usually during birth disabilities, such as an Amazon Associate I earn from purchases. Clean the creases of skin around their legs together during a diaper change other disabilities. Of an arm or leg probably is n't in pain or anything or doing anything else x! Potty-Train their children 're trying to put a clean diaper back on before you get on... Unusually stiff can do this with the wet wipe trick the nappy a... Look normal babies have their favorite songs and the songs become more favorite when hear! Symptoms easy to spot because your babys movements will not look normal, then let me tell you you. To do the bicycle movement with her but that 's about it changes, then let me tell that!