Toddler Keeps Removing the Diaper – 10 Foolproof Hacks You Need to Try

My toddler keeps removing the diaper – I’m at my wits end. Help!

Are you an exacerbated parent whose toddler keeps removing the diaper? Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone.

Many toddlers go through a phase where wearing nothing is absolutely the most exciting thing they can do.

Clean ups after a diaper flung off is anything but fun. Especially when the mess has been made on bedding or carpets.

Before learning strategies on how to deal with this, it’s important to first understand why this happens in the first place.

This post is about a toddler who keeps removing the diaper.

Why a Toddler Keeps Removing the Diaper

A toddler who keeps removing the diaper may be exhibiting signs of potty training readiness. He may also be doing this out of discomfort and an increasing awareness of the sensation of being wet. Lastly, it may be a tactic to delay night time sleep, practicing a new skill or a way to get extra attention from you.

Lets explore all of these reasons in greater detail.

1. Ready to Potty Train

Believe it or not, but it may actually be good news that your toddler keeps removing the diaper. It may be a sign that your toddler is ready to start potty training.

Apart from removing the diaper, there may be other signs you might notice too which can indicate toilet training readiness. These include your child :

• Hiding while filling up the diaper
• Taking in interest in others using the toilet
• Being able to take their clothes on and off themselves
• Having drier diapers for longer periods of time 
• Telling you that they have to go

Related Post:

15 Steps to Potty Train a Stubborn Toddler Girl in 3 Days

Potty Training Essentials You Absolutely Can’t Do Without

20 Genius Potty Training Reward Ideas (that seriously work!)

2. Feeling Discomfort

One of the reasons your toddler keeps taking off his diaper is because he’s becoming more aware of the sensation of being wet.

This makes your toddler feel uncomfortable and fling the diaper off. This is also another sign that your child is ready to potty train.

3. Experimenting with New Skills

The ability to take off clothes and even diapers takes a certain amount of dexterity. And it’s a skill your toddler has learnt he can do. Now he wants to practice that skill again and again. Toddlers love mastering a new skill through repeatedly doing it.

4. Feeling Bored in the Crib

Another reason could be pre bedtime boredom. Your toddler may get into the habit of fidgeting around just before dozing off. If the diaper is easily accessible, it can be convenient to fiddle around with it and take it off.

5. Trying to Avoid Bedtime

It may just be that taking off the diaper is a strategy that your little one is employing to avoid having to go to bed. After all, who wants to go to bed when there are so many more exciting things to do?

A little night time drama should liven things up, thinks your toddler to himself. And there’s nothing quite like stripping and then pooping all over the crib to get your parent’s attention!

6. Getting a Reaction From You

A diaper flung off usually equals tons of mess and a parent that is less than thrilled. If you’ve been reacting negatively to your toddler’s diaper flings, then you may be exacerbating the problem.

What may have started as an occasional occurrence may become into a habit if your child sees a strong reaction from you.

Always remember: if there’s a certain behavior of your toddler you don’t want to see, try NOT to react to it.

If we can understand our reactions and where  they come from, we can start to temper our emotions in  different situations. You will see your children  responding less in behavior and tempering themselves as a  result. 

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Now that you know the various reasons why your toddler is taking the diaper off, it’s time to implement some strategies on how to handle this kind of behavior.

10 Tactics to Implement When Toddler Keeps Removing The Diaper

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1. Start Potty Training

If you’re seeing other signs of potty training readiness along with removing the diaper then it may be time for you to start potty training.

Don’t worry, it’s not half as bad as you’d think it’ll be if you’re prepared and you know what you’re doing.

If youre thinking of using the 3 day method then I have a more detailed post outlining the exact steps to take to potty train your toddler in 3 days.

Also, if you’re about to begin potty training, don’t forget to get your FREE potty training charts delivered straight to your inbox!

2. Buy Absorbent Diapers

Got a child whose removing his diaper but isn’t ready to toilet train? Another way to handle the situation is to buy more absorbent diapers.

This will help prevent your child from feeling the discomfort of being wet. It’s also important to increase the number of times you change their diaper so they don’t need to feel uncomfortable in a soiled diaper.

3. Teach Them to Put Diaper Back On

Just like taking clothes and a diaper off is a skill, so too is the skill of putting things on. Use this opportunity to teach your toddler to put his clothes and diaper back on.

This is a skill that will  later help them during toilet training and also dressing and undressing independently.

4. Put Another Diaper on Top of Pajamas

Got a toddler that loves fiddling around with the diaper and keeps taking it off? One hack suggested by many parents is to put a spare diaper on top of the pajamas.

This is of course in addition to the one being worn below the pajamas. This way your toddler will have something to fiddle around with before he dozes off and you can avoid all the clean ups.

5. Put Diaper on Backwards

A diaper is relatively easy to remove once a child learns how to do it once. One way to outsmart your toddler is to put the diaper on backwards. This way the opening flaps are at the back and harder to reach for.

6. Switch to Pull Ups

Pull ups are harder to remove than diapers because they require your little one to remove their lowers first.

So making your child wear pull ups would work well if your toddler hasn’t yet learnt to take off their lowers. If they’ve mastered taking off tights and pajamas, try dressing them in things that involve zippers and buttons that would be harder to remove.

7. Put Sleep Sack/Pajamas on Backwards

This is a hack that many moms literally swear by. Here’s what you’ll do:

Take a pair of footed sleepers and cut the feet off (or ideally use a sleeper suit that’s footless). Then dress your toddler in it backwards. That way the zip is on your child’s back and they can’t access the diaper. It’s pure genius!

8. Allow Diaper Free Time

Many kids start to enjoy the sensation that comes with not wearing a diaper – this sense of light weightedness and freedom.

Try to respect that by allowing your child some diaper free time.

When my toddler was going through this phase, I used to allow her about 20 minutes of diaper free time. It would usually be in the evening right before her bath time. I’d also make sure she was diaper free in a non carpeted area so that even if she had an accident it would be quick and easy to clean up.

9. Monitor Your Reaction

It’s important to observe your own behavior in reaction to your toddler’s antics. Do you get all wound up, angry or frustrated?

I know it’s super hard but try to NOT look or sound upset when your toddler takes off his diaper and pees all over your favorite carpet. The more you react, the more of that kind of behavior you’ll start to see.

10. Use Duct Tape

If you’ve tried all these tips and nothing is working out, then there’s always a fall back option: duct tape.

Take some duct tape and wrap it around the waist of the diaper. Unless your toddler is super strong, he won’t be able to put it off. 

This post was about a toddler who keeps removing the diaper.

Do you find yourself struggling with parenting and overcome with feelings of exhaustion  and frustration? Are you dealing with tantrums, bed time drama, potty training setbacks, mealtime battles and tons of mom guilt? I know I struggled with each of those issues and MORE. 

I stumbled upon the Positive Parenting Solutions Program taught by one of the world’s most trusted parenting experts Amy McCready. The parenting strategies she teaches in the course are nothing short of transformative. 

There’s a FREE Positive Parenting Solutions webinar that you can watch which is packed with crazy effective hacks for parents with kids aged 2.5 – 16. 

CHECK OUT POSITIVE PARENTING SOLUTIONS

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Read these posts next:

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9 Genius Tactics to Stop Your Toddler Destroying the House