During my Los Angeles newborn session yesterday and during many of my sessions, my clients have the same complaint and resulting question: the baby gets so upset and worked up during changing, what can we do to minimize this? Here are my top tips for how to keep your baby calm during diaper changes.
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TIP #1: HEAT
The number one thing that new babies don’t like is being cold so when they are put down on a cold changing table in just a diaper, it is a situation that is going to elicit some screams. Babies are used to being inside nice warm Mommy at 98 degrees, so the sifts in temperature of their new world are not very well loved and received. The best way to prevent the shock of the cold changing table is to lay down a soft changing table pad or cover and not completely take off all of the baby’s clothes. Choosing clothes or a swaddle that can just be removed on their lower half is ideal.
The second way I would recommend is by having a space heater dedicated to the changing table space. If you pop this on for about a minute before changing, the whole space will warm up, including the surface the baby will be put on, and it will be much easier for the baby to tolerate. Warm air during the changing process will keep their exposed skin at a more even temperature so they shouldn’t be as sensitive to the temperature shifts.
The third way is a wipe warmer. This is something that you can certainly eliminate over time, but it is a big shock when you go from warm and cuddly to a cold wet fabric anywhere on your body. They are relatively inexpensive and can really help keep the baby calm and relaxed, especially at night when your goal is for them to fall straight back to sleep after a feeding. I highly recommend having one on your changing table for at least the first month if you are struggling to keep your baby calm during changing.
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TIP #2: ARMS
The number one way in which I keep babies calm during my newborn sessions is by keeping their arms as still as I can. This is key when figuring out how to keep your baby calm during diaper changes. Babies don’t yet have good control and are born with a startle reflex called the Moro reflex. If this is triggered during a diaper change, it can be very alarming to the baby. If you can get one person to keep arms still and another to change the diaper, this is really fantastic for the baby and will definitely minimize the startle and upset. If you don’t have another set of hands, use a swaddle that has velcro at the top to keep the baby snug and expose the bottom.
Here’s a little more about the Moro reflex, in case you were curious. It usually occurs when a baby is startled by a loud sound or movement. In response to the sound, the baby throws back his or her head, extends out his or her arms and legs, cries, and then pulls the arms and legs back in. A baby’s own cry can startle him or her and trigger this reflex. This reflex lasts until the baby is about 2 months old.
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TIP #3 PREPARATION
The third tip for how to keep your baby calm during diaper changes is to be prepared: Gather all the supplies you need (diapers, wipes, clean clothes, etc.) before you begin the diaper change. This will help you minimize the time the baby spends on the changing table. If you are missing something and the changing takes an additional couple of minutes, that is long enough to cause complete panic in both the baby and parents and for crying to hit max volume.
TIP #4 DISTRACTIONS
As they get older, and outgrow swaddles there are other helpful things that can keep them still on the changing table. Try toys, soft books, singing, and music.
Happy changing everyone! Enjoy those sweet little babies, before you know it, they will be off to college!
Diana Henderson Photography is located in Los Angeles, California in the Glendora area. She is a professional newborn photographer who specializes in newborn photography in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas including but not limited to Glendora, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Encino, Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, Altadena, Azusa, Covina, Claremont, San Dimas, La Verne, and Walnut.
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