If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a parent, it’s that kids don’t come with a pause button. My son, now a full-on one-year-old, has turned diaper changes into an Olympic-level wrestling match. He’s squirmy, he’s fast, and he’s got this knack for twisting just as I’m trying to get the tabs on. But here we are, a year in, and I’ve picked up some tricks to manage the chaos—plus, I’m dipping my toes into the wild world of potty training. Here’s how it’s going so far.
The Diaper Change Dance
From the newborn days of “aww, look at him lie there so still” to now, where I’m dodging flailing legs and a mid-change barrel roll, diapering my son is a workout. I’ve got a system, though, because necessity is the mother of invention—or at least survival. First, distraction is key. I keep a stash of random objects nearby—rattles, a crinkly toy, even my phone playing some goofy cartoon song (judge me if you must). Anything to buy me ten seconds of focus. Second, speed. I’ve got the wipe-grab, diaper-swap, tab-stick maneuver down to a science, thanks to reliable gear like these Amazon Elements Baby Wipes that don’t tear mid-wipe and Huggies Diapers that stay snug even during his wildest twists. Pro tip: lay out everything beforehand—sometimes I even set it up on my foldable changing table—because once he’s on the pad, it’s go time.
Sometimes, I’ll pin him gently with my forearm across his chest—not hard, just enough to keep him from flipping like a fish out of water. Other times, I’ll sing loudly and off-key to stun him into submission. Does it work every time? Nope. Do I end up with a half-diapered kid crawling away at least once a week? You bet. But we’re getting through it, one squirm at a time.
Potty Training at One: Am I Crazy?
Now, at a year old, I’m starting to nudge him toward the potty. Not full-on “no more diapers” training—more like “hey, let’s see if you’ll poop in the toilet instead of mid-air during a change.” He’s not walking yet, but he’s got opinions, and I figure it’s worth a shot. I got one of those little potties go on top of the big toilet, and I plop him on it after meals or when he’s giving me that telltale grunt. Success rate? Maybe 20%. But when he actually goes, I cheer like he just won a Nobel Prize. Positive vibes, right? Oh, and for the boys out there, these Pee Teepees are a lifesaver when he decides to aim high during the transition.
I’m keeping it low-pressure. If he sits for a minute and nothing happens, no big deal. I’ll wipe the potty down with those trusty baby wipes and try again tomorrow. The goal is just to get him used to the idea. He’s starting to mimic me—clapping when I clap, laughing when I make a big deal out of it—so I’m hoping he’ll catch on eventually. Plus, fewer poop-smeared diaper changes? That’s motivation enough.
The Messy, Wiggly Reality
Parenting a squirmy one-year-old isn’t glamorous. There’s poop on my hands more often than I’d like to admit. But it’s our little adventure. The diaper phase won’t last forever, and this potty training experiment? It’s just the next step. For now, I’m armed with wipes, patience, and a playlist of distracting tunes—and I’m calling that a win.
Stuff I Use (and Recommend):
- Huggies Diapers – Keeps him secure, even mid-wrestle.
- Pee Teepees – A must for potty training a boy!
- Foldable Changing Table – Portable and a game-changer for quick setups.
- Amazon Elements Baby Wipes – Gentle, sturdy, and my go-to for every mess.
Note: These are things I’ve used or are super close to what I’ve tried. If you buy through these links, I might earn a small commiss