Diapering is of course an essential task to keep baby clean, dry and comfortable. But more than being a hygienic task, it’s an opportunity for you and your baby to connect. It’s often heard from new parents that “Between diapering, feeding, sleeping and meeting his other needs and my own, I have no time and energy left to connect with my baby!” Probably what new parents miss is the fact that changing baby’s diaper is actually the time when you can be with him.
Generally, the approach to diapering is that it’s taken as a task, a messy one which must be hurriedly done, sometimes by putting a toy in baby’s hand to avoid any delays and distractions. There is hardly any eye contact and if the baby cries, the caregiver speeds up the pace all the more. What does this tell the baby? Baby is ignorant to mess and hygiene but what he is learning from the way you are diapering him is that caring for your bodily functions is unpleasant. Also, this might be the time or opportunity he wants to make eye contact but because you are concentrating on the lower half of his body, he misses it and simply give up! He turns his attentions away from you, from the task and from his body resulting in turning, trying to get up or crying. Instead, if we see diapering as an opportunity for intimacy, it provides the baby with a sense of security and feeling of being cared for. Keep the diapering time stuff handy and ready (diaper, wipes, cream etc). Always narrate what’s going to happen next and invite him to participate. If he doesn’t participate now, he will soon do, only if you keep patience and perseverance. Narration could be like, “I want to take off your leggings, will you lift your bottom. Do as you say. Say each step loud as you do it practically. This will keep your baby’s auditory sense engaged as he hears your voice, leading to less movements and distractions. And don’t forget to make eye contact in between.
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