Since Dexter has learnt to rollover nappy changing has become Mission Impossible.
Previously Dexter was a dream to bottom change. He would lay there sweetly and even lift both legs up in the air whilst I wiped. He had an over-cot changer with a nappy mat so we could do the deed whilst standing up. He never attempted to roll off it or kick out - we had a perfect little routine going on.
That was then, and this is now. Now Dexter has learnt the art of rolling - he simply hates being on his back. Every night we pop him to sleep on his back and tuck him in with his favourite teddy. Every night on our hourly checks he’s rolled over, done a 180, and his teddy is laying on top of him. There’s no point adjusting him as he’ll simply flip back over as soon as your back is turned.
Nappy changing is now one big game to him and he’ll flip over the second you whip the dirty one away. This peachy (sometimes grotty) bum will be in your face and there’s not a lot you can do about it. I’ve tried holding his legs together and lifting them in the air so he can’t escape but he’ll always find a way. Even if you master the bum change, getting his dinky little trousers back on is like trying to apply lipstick to a Bucking Bronco.
He hasn’t quite mastered crawling and simply rolls around on his small round belly like a roly-poly toy with flailing legs. We’ve googled this extensively and tried placing a toy out of his reach, propping up his belly will a rolled up blanket, bringing his knees together… but nothing seems to work with Dexter - he’ll ‘do his usual’ and simply stun us one morning with a perfect crawl.
Friends and other mummy bloggers are always saying that we should cherish these last moments with a largely immobile baby. I can appreciate that when he’s crawling it’s going to be an utter nightmare, but I do feel a little sorry for him; he’s putting in all this effort and getting absolutely nowhere! Even when he gets on his knees, his face is buried within our carpet and we get these little ‘Ooomph’ noises so there’s no doubting he’s getting frustrated with himself.
It’s one thing watching him play with his toys on his belly - and having the odd giggle at his failures, it another entirely watching him do it with a dirty bum. I’m under no illusion this will get even worse when he’s crawling and I’ll have a naked runaway baby on my hands. I suppose I should just thank my lucky stars he’s not into the bottom shuffling game…
