What is a Standing Diaper Change?
When I work with clients who are beginning (or well into) the toilet learning journey, I always ask if they have begun initiating standing diaper changes into their child’s self-care routine. Most look at me and wonder what the hell I am talking about. Or they may be familiar with the concept but have not yet tried it because the idea of changing a squirming, mobile toddler in a vertical position seems far from easy and not at all efficient.
It can actually change the dynamic of the entire process into something more collaborative and enjoyable. Once a child begins to walk with ease, they want to be on the move all the time. Asking them to stop what they’re doing, disengage from this new found freedom of being upright, and cooperate in laying down for a diaper change can become a wrestling match. If we work with our child’s exciting development of movement, we can collaborate in a respectful manner and eliminate a power struggle.
From birth, self-care and diaper changes are things we do WITH our child instead of TO them.
Yes, sometimes a diaper change needs to happen and we’re doing it in the backseat of a car, and it’s pouring rain, and things are quick and adult-led. But when possible, these moments are amazing opportunities to connect with our child, offer descriptive language, and show them the basic steps of self-care that they will one day be responsible for doing themselves.
Once your child is walking and wanting to be upright, I encourage you to consider offering standing diaper changes that may or may not also include a small potty. Consider where diaper changes currently happen, is there a space nearby on the ground you can transition the process to that can accommodate a wobbly toddler, and all the necessary items you’ll need?
A place for everything - soiled clothes & clean clothes
You’ll Need:
A small potty
A stash of pull-up’s, wipes, and/or training pants if your child is walking
A low bar or shelf or sturdy piece of furniture your child can hold on to
A small basket of books to encourage your child to sit on the potty
A washable or water-proof mat to keep underneath this area
A place to put soiled diapers and/or clothing
We used the middle shelf of the green cabinet as a sturdy place for our son to hold onto. He could also hold onto either arm of the wooden chair for clean-up
The Steps:
Head to the changing area/potty - “I see your diaper is/pants are wet, let’s go get cleaned up”
Have your child hold on to the bar or stable piece of furniture - “You can hold here while I help you get out of your wet/dirty clothes. Hold on tight!”
Talk through your movements and invite them to sit on their potty -“Your diaper/underwear feel(s) pretty wet. Let’s step out of it and see if there is more pee in your bladder, have a seat while I read a book.”
Get clean clothes! - “Choose a diaper/pair of underwear and I will help you get it on”. (Having a small stool or seat your child can sit on is helpful for getting dressed - but the floor works great too.)
A technical note** - cleaning a dirty diaper or removing dirty underwear can get tricky. When using pull-up’s or diapers you can rip either side of the pull-up (or open the diaper tabs) and wipe your child’s bottom with it before removing it from their legs. This makes sure most of the solids are off before further wiping. If they are in underwear you will need to quickly help them get the underwear down their legs and off their feet and then proceed to clean them up. Sometimes it can be more convenient to have your child sit on the potty with their hands on their knees so you can help them navigate the soiled clothing over their knees and feet. Young toddlers will not be able to be helpful with this aspect of cleanup but you can keep them engaged by telling them stories, singing silly songs, or having them point to various body parts.
Meet Marly
A Montessori trained educator, sleep coach, and toilet learning specialist who has supported families for over a decade. Check out more on her website and sign up for her newsletter to receive your FREE Montessori guide to the first 12 months!