We’re always getting comments about how well-behaved Dexter is out in public. He very rarely throws a tantrum and doesn’t join in when others do around him. Somehow (I’m not sure we can take the credit for it) he’s also very willing to share his toys, his drink, or his dinner with his peers which is in stark contrast to most other children I know. I’m not suggesting Craig and I are excelling at parenting at all, we just have been incredibly lucky with Dexter.

He does however have a completely irrational fear of baby change facilities when we’re out and about. As you might expect, this most definitely does affect our ability to fully relax when we’re away from home.

Even at home, Dex hates a bum change. I’m pretty sure this is a common theme with all babies and toddlers. If his hands aren’t exploring the contents of his nappy, they’re flailing around in a desperate attempt to make a bid for freedom. A favourite toy placed strategically on his chest used to work, or singing the Cloudbabies theme tune over the top of his protestations (this is loud enough for the neighbours to hear, and trust me, I’m no X factor hopeful) - but even these little tricks get old quickly and lose their effectiveness.

But at home, I can cope with it. I don’t mind chasing a half-naked bum across my living room and pulling out wrestling moves that would make non-parents cringe and Google social services. But in a restaurant or a shopping centre it’s a whole different ball game.

Craig and I have to literally weigh up whether it’s worth changing him at all when we’re out and about. If we’re on desserts at a restaurant it actually seems kinder to leave him be and attempt a change in the car rather than the baby change in the disabled loos. If we have no choice we’ll tag team it and both Craig and I will nip to the toilets together with Dexter. One of us is tasked with stroking his head and holding him still, the other is on nappy duty. This might sound excessive but without the two of us, Dexter is apt to roll off the changer and smash his head on the tiled floor.

To say he hates baby change units is an absolute understatement. As soon as that toilet door shuts behind us his eyes widen and the screaming starts. It’s very rare that a passerby won’t knock on the door to ask if we’re alright and if we need an ambulance. In a recent trip to Bella Italia, Dexter silenced the entire restaurant from toilets situated a good 10 metres from the seating area. Although I appreciate he finds the experience traumatic, I’m willing to bet it’s a million times worse for us!

Well no more! Thanks to Google, YouTube and a whole host of other sites I’ve stumbled upon some neat little nappy changing tips you might not have considered before - for both home & out and about:

1. Make a handpuppet out of a nappy bag - How neat is this little trick?! Shove your hands into a scented bag and make like you’re auditioning for CBeebies. Dex didn’t want to make friends with his new perfumed pal, but he did have fun attempting to kill him. I suspect this one has a shelf life so don’t expect it to work for long!
2. One exclusively for out-and-about changes or on changing mats… Warm the changing surface by rubbing it over with some toilet roll - This prevents any bare-bum-meets-cold-surface surprises and seems to stop babies from bucking their bits dangerously close to your face. For little boys this also might help prevent you getting wee in your eye.
3. Consider using pull ups - lots of mums on forums were advocating this one. As soon as their LO’s were able to stand, laying down for a bum change was no longer seemed an option. They opted for pull ups so wet bum changes could be done standing up. For messy changes, you still have the option of tearing the sides with most pull ups too. We’re probably a little late to the party on this one.
4. Whip out your smart phone - If your rendition of Old Macdonald no longer has the desired effect, your child might just have learnt that mummy won’t ever get a recording contract. This might mean your attempts to placate your tiny tot are actually making the situation worse and irritating the hell out of them. Instead, try downloading their favourite song from an advert or tv programme (Dex loves ‘Your Fill Up My Senses’ by John Denver from the Talk Talk adverts) and let them hold your phone whilst you do the business down below.
5. Stickers - Not just for reward charts, one mum on Circle of Moms insists on putting stickers on her baby’s fingers to distract him. Your baby will be so intrigued and determined to pull them off, you’ll have ample time to whip nappies on and off. This is utter genius. The only problem we had is that Dexter lost patience and ate a few stickers before we noticed. Stickers on the face seems safer if your little one enjoys a diet of cardboard and paper in-between meals - they’ll be just as distracted trying to pluck them off their cheeks.

Any more for any more? Tweet me or leave a comment with your tips and Dexter and I will put them to the test - I’ll write a follow-up post in a few weeks and feature the best ones.