Janet Lansbury offers advice on handling struggles with dressing and diaper changes for an active 7-month-old. Strategies include acknowledging the child's feelings, establishing predictability, and reframing diaper changes as a positive experience. The importance of understanding, empathy, and maintaining parental boundaries is emphasized.
19:23
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Quick takeaways
Babies' resistance to being still during diaper changes is a healthy expression of their desire to explore and develop new skills.
Parents can make pajama time a positive experience by involving the child in the process and allowing them to express their disagreement.
Deep dives
Understanding the Challenges of Dressing an Active Baby
Babies who are actively developing their motor skills may resist being still and having their clothes changed. It is common for children to want to keep moving and not be held down for diaper changes or pajama time. This is a healthy expression of their desire to explore and develop new skills. Parents should approach these situations with the understanding that their child's resistance is not a sign of discomfort or torture, but rather a natural response to wanting to continue moving.
Preparing and Engaging the Child during Pajama Time
Parents can help make pajama time a positive experience by preparing the child for what is going to happen. Explaining the steps involved in getting dressed and involving the child in the process can help them feel more in control and willing to participate. By giving them a sense of predictability and allowing them to express their disagreement, parents can create a healthy exchange and maintain a positive relationship with their child. It is important to be flexible and adaptable during this time, understanding that the child may still have feelings to release after a long day.
Reframing Pajama Time as a Loving and Respectful Experience
Instead of viewing pajama time as a challenging or frustrating task, parents should reframe it as a loving and respectful time of engagement with their child. By acknowledging the child's resistance and feelings, and holding on to their agenda of getting the child dressed, parents create an environment where the child feels safe to express their emotions and rely on their parents for support. This helps build a positive relationship and creates opportunities for the child to release feelings before bedtime.
Janet replies to the parent of an active 7-month-old who worries that their otherwise respectful relationship is jeopardized by constant struggles at bedtime that are upsetting to her and her baby.
For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (adbl.co/2OBVztZ).
Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).
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