Top tips to help nappy time be a happy time

Getting them to lie down always gets harder as they get older, so try Pull-ups nappies if they just won’t stay still.

You can avoid getting caught short by keeping everything you need close by, including a spare nappy and a few wipes at the ready.

Keep them entertained while you get on with the job in hand, giving them a wee cloth to hide their face and play peekaboo.

Try to slide the new nappy under their bottom before you take the old one off to avoid a bum deal!

If you have a boy, have your shield (cotton wool) at the ready! A temperature change could cause instant wee.

Try wearing a teething necklace or make your own by dangling a toy around your neck. It will keep them entertained while you get on with the task at hand.

Turn change time into game time by lying a dolly down next to them as if they are both going to sleep.

As they get bigger and start to walk, get them involved by asking them to go get the nappies and the wipes.

When you’re changing nappies, make funny noises and see if you can make them giggle, and when they do giggle back at them. See how many times you can keep it going. You’ll be having a ‘chat’ with faces and sounds. This is little bit of back and forth is great for helping little brains make the connections they’ll need for talking later on.

Sing to your child when you’re changing their nappy but stop at the same spot in the song each time. And when you start again do it in a silly voice. After a few goes they can’t wait for the song to start again. Keep mixing it up every time. Little ones love new and unexpected things. Building excitement and then calming things down is a playful way for them to learn about self-control.

Give your wee one a toy or muslin to hold while they’re lying on the changing table. You can add something that smells nice, like essential oils to stop them wriggling while you’re doing the tricky bit!

If you’ve got a mobile that plays a tune or has moving parts then place it securely above your wee one’s head for them to watch while they get their nappy changed. You can sing along if you know the tune or just talk to them as the mobile spins round.