How to Get Your Kid to Leave Their Diaper On

Toddlers who are bored in their cribs may remove their diapers.

Many young children enjoy removing their clothing and running around naked. However, if your child hasn't finished potty training yet, this habit may not only be embarrassing but also messy and unsanitary. You might go in to get your angelic tot in the morning or after a nap, only to find him diaper-less. By following certain tips, you can encourage your child to pass quickly through this potentially messy phase.

Instructions

1. Establish a clear rule. Tell your child that she needs to keep her diaper on because it is polite to stay dressed around other people and it avoids a mess when she goes potty. State the rule positively, so it reflects what you want her to do: She needs to keep her diaper on her bottom. In order for her to keep her diaper on, she first needs to know that you want her to do so.

2. Remain calm when your child removes his diaper. Providing lots of attention and emotion -- whether you laugh or yell -- can encourage him to continue the behavior because he enjoys the reaction from you. Simply repeat your rule, "Your diaper belongs on your bottom" and put it back on.

3. Praise your child for keeping her diaper on. Save your emotion and intensity for what she does right, so she knows the best way to get attention is by following the rules. Catch your child throughout the day when she has her diaper on. Let her know how proud you are of her for staying dressed and what a big girl she is for wearing her diaper. Show lots of excitement with your praise by giving her hugs, kisses and tickles.

4. Make it difficult for him to remove his diaper. If you child can't get his clothes off, he won't be able to remove his diaper. Dress him in overalls, onesies, pants with belts or pajamas that button or zip in the back. Put his diaper or pajamas on backwards to make them harder to remove. Stick diaper pins through the tabs on his diaper or tape the tabs shut with duct tape.

5. Start potty training if your child continues removing her diaper. Some children dislike the sensation of the diaper's material between the legs. Transitioning her to panties as quickly as you can may encourage her to stay dressed.

References

• What to Expect; Undressing (Preferring to Be Naked); Heidi Murkoff
• Raising Children Network; Family Rules; October 2010
• MayoClinic; Parenting Tips: How to Improve Toddler Behavior; February 2011
• Netplaces; Encouraging Independence; Linda Sonna

Resources

• MayoClinic; Potty Training: How to Get the Job Done; November 2009