« Back to All Questions
Facebook 
Get Our Newsletter! 
Print
There Are 16 Responses So Far »
Staying Connected to Friends Without Kids..here's how to keep those post-baby bonds 
Comment by Marie on Nov 17 2011 11:56:10:
My baby is now 4 months. I remember when he was 1 week old,he would cry when we changed his diaper, but he soon grew out of it and now enjoys being changed. My thought is that when they are as young as 1 week old, the cold air on their bottom may bother them a bit, and crying is just their way of saying that they don’t like it very much. She will start to grow out of it,this just takes time. As for crying when you take her off the breast,this may be her way of communicating that she is not finished feeding. At this age, babies aren’t as efficient at the breast and may take as long as 30min or so to finish their feed. If you are certain that her latch is correct and you are hearing swallows, it would be best to keep her on until she unlatches herself. I hope this helps! good luck!
Comment by Sahar on Nov 27 2011 05:19:08:
I suggest changing her diaper before and if necessary right after feeding. Make sure to talk or sing during that time. Let her know its diaper changing time, therefore, she will realize whats going on and she will be more accustomed to it there after. This has worked well with my little girl. There is nothing wrong with using a pacifier when changing her diaper. I also agree with the previous post, some babies don’t like the cold, so make sure she has her onesie or pajamas on. Breastfeeding takes a longer time then formula feeding, therefore, she might not be full and thus the crying. I would recommend staying on one breast for at least 20 minutes and then rotate to the next, or let her drink until she unlatches from your breast. All the best and enjoy those moments with your little one!
Comment by Laura on Nov 29 2011 01:48:31:
I agree with Sahar and Marie. Let her nurse as much and as long as she wants. Set yourself up with entertainment, phone, book, tv, laptop, whatever you need so you will be patient while she has her fill. At this age she may want to be at the breast most of the day and that is a good thing. Also the more she tanks up during the day the more likely she will be able to do a good stretch of sleep during the night. If the paci makes diaper changes more peaceful use for that but avoid at other times. She needs to be getting milk now and also pacifier use can cause a poor (read painful and less effective) latch at the breast.
Comment by Jay-Jay on Jan 05 2012 05:41:12:
I think you should try changing her diaper before she nurses. Let her nurse as long as she is willing to suck. At a week old the feeding sessions can last from 5 to 30 minutes. When it is time for her to get off the breast or have her diaper changed, keep the stimuli low, try humming a soft melody, breath and in time it will get better.
I also have a newborn, he is almost 3 weeks old, and I noticed that he would get confused between my breast and the pacifier. I was told to stay away form the bottles and pacifiers until he gets a good connection with breast feeding. Your daughter might just like the comfort of the sucking reflex. Again try filling her up with breast ,ilk and for-go the paci…for now.
Resident Mom
Comment by Brooklyn on Jan 10 2012 02:20:32:
HI!!!! and welcome to motherhood
. my little girl use to cry every time i changed her diaper due to a common rash that most baby girl in the result of too much yeast production and prosess of birth peeling off her … soo first inspect her her bottom make sure she is NOT red in the crease betweent her vah jj (lol) and her thighs. and make sure her bottom stays dry… GOOD LUCK!
Resident Mom
Comment by Cara Shrum, Resident Mom on Feb 05 2012 03:09:11:
This is extremely common for a baby of 1 week. She may not like being “fussed” with. Try using a wipe warmer so the wipes are nice and warm and take any measures you can to create a gentle experience during changing time. Remember, all she wants is to be next to you, feel you, smell you, and hear you. As for the pacifier, I would not encourage pacifier usage AT ALL if you are breastfeeding. It can cause nipple confusion. If her overall health is well, she may just need to cry a bit at changings because she simply does not like them but do what you can to make her more comfortable. Feel free to check back if you are still concerned after trying some of the suggestions I and the other moms have given.
Best wishes,
Cara Shrum, Resident Mom
Comment by Caitlin Nicole on Mar 19 2012 11:38:38:
Newer babies just don't like their diaper changed, it's a fact. I, personally, haven't seen any explanations as to why, but it's probably related to either the fact that they're cold or they don't feel secure being all exposed and laid out (and not being cuddled by you or someone). Your little one will grow out of it eventually, there's no reason to worry.
If you do have concerns, though, give her Ped a call (even if you just need reassurance) — he/she is there to help you. 
Comment by Bethany Raby on Apr 03 2012 01:13:38:
My now two year old son did this. I got desperate after trying so many things… And then I got a wipes warmer (before I began cloth) and voila no more screaming through changes! Sounds odd but worked for me!
Comment by Shaynna Montealegre on May 03 2012 05:04:59:
My two month old is the same way. He still cries sometimes. Anything I can find to distract him helps. At first, it was the pacifier. Now I change him in the crib under the mobile and that pretty much always works.
Comment by Heather LaRuez on May 05 2012 07:47:54:
My son does this (hes almost 2months old) and its because he hates being cold…the wipes are cold… he screams when I change him but as soon as the diaper goes on.. hes fine! as far as taking her off the breast.. it could be bc shes not done.. I don't know I didn't breastfeed.
Comment by Felicia Turner on May 05 2012 09:36:10:
sierra does that same thing…
Comment by Jennifer Moran-Morales on May 09 2012 09:41:10:
My now 6 week old used to cry for every diaper change. It wailing would start as soon as I put him down onto the changing pad. Wipe temperature did not make a difference. By changing our routine and interacting with him diaper changes have become a more pleasant experience.
If baby is crying, it is probably because HER immediate need is not being addressed. She may be hungry or need to burp or pass gas as well as needing a diaper change. What I do with my son is feed him half of his meal first, burp him then change his diaper. When burping and changing baby, I am singing and interacting with him. This has made a huge difference..
If baby cries when u take her off the breast, you may be removing her too soon (still hungry), she may have to burp or she is using u as a pacifier.
Good luck!
Comment by Karen Manherz on Aug 21 2012 09:07:48:
My baby isn't due til December so I have no idea, but I did read recently not to give a breastfeeding baby a pacifier til they're 1 month old. SO MANY people I've talked to and read about have had breastfeeding issues so I think I might try to take that advice.
Comment by Karen Manherz on Aug 21 2012 09:09:14:
Oh – and my friend with 5 kids said she put a mobile above the changing table – so the girl who suggested using the crib and mobile may be on to something there.
Comment by Marriah Tawzer on Feb 04 2013 09:19:23:
I nurse my daughter before I change her diaper because she wakes up a little bit more, I recommend giving the pacifier during changes to calm her down.
Comment by Shelbey Aleshire Rudling on May 28 2013 07:58:48:
Absolutely! Infants instinctively calm themselves down by sucking, so if giving her a pacifier helps sooth her during diaper changes and allows you to keep your sanity, by all means!