Why Does My Baby Cry During Nappy Changes?
Many parents are surprised by how strongly some newborns react to nappy changes.
One minute your baby is calm.
The next, they are crying as though you have committed a terrible crime by removing their nappy.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Crying during nappy changes is extremely common, especially during the newborn period.
In most cases, it does not mean your baby is in pain or that you are doing anything wrong.
Often, it is simply your baby’s way of responding to a very big sensory experience.
A Nappy Change Is A Big Deal For A Newborn
As adults, we tend to think of nappy changes as routine.
For a newborn, they can feel quite dramatic.
Your baby has spent approximately nine months in an environment that was:
Warm
Dark
Contained
Consistent
A nappy change is almost the opposite.
Suddenly they are:
Moved
Undressed
Exposed to cooler air
Placed on their back
Touched and cleaned
Exposed to brighter light
That is a lot for a developing nervous system to process.
Newborns Experience The World Differently
Newborns are born with an immature nervous system.
They are still learning how to process touch, movement, sound, temperature changes, and visual stimulation.
What seems like a simple nappy change to us can feel overwhelming to a young baby.
This is one reason many newborns seem much calmer when held close to a parent’s body than when placed on a changing mat.
Premature babies may be particularly sensitive to handling and environmental changes, making calm, gentle nappy changes especially important.
The Startle Reflex
One of the most common reasons babies cry during nappy changes is the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex.
When babies suddenly feel unsupported or experience a change in position, they may:
Throw their arms out
Arch slightly
Startle
Cry
This is a normal newborn reflex and usually fades during the first few months of life.
Many babies become calmer if a parent places a gentle hand across their chest or tummy during the nappy change.
The Power Of Containment
During pregnancy, babies are constantly contained by the walls of the womb.
After birth, lying flat on a changing mat can feel very different.
Some babies become noticeably calmer when parents provide gentle containment by keeping one hand on their chest, talking softly, and avoiding sudden movements.
This can help babies feel secure while they adjust to the experience.
Temperature Changes Matter
Newborn babies are not very good at regulating their body temperature.
They lose heat more quickly than older children and adults.
Some babies strongly dislike the sudden feeling of cooler air on their skin when clothes and nappies are removed.
This can be particularly noticeable during night-time nappy changes or during colder weather.
Cold Wipes Can Be A Shock
Imagine being warm and comfortable and suddenly having a cold wipe pressed against your skin.
Many babies object strongly to this.
Some parents find that using warm water and cotton wool, or simply warming wipes in their hands before use, makes a noticeable difference.
Babies Don’t Always Like Being Interrupted
Sometimes the nappy change itself isn’t really the problem.
Some babies simply dislike being interrupted.
Just as adults do not always appreciate being disturbed when they are comfortable, some babies object to being moved when they are:
Feeding
Sleeping
Enjoying a cuddle
Looking around
Relaxing
In those moments, the nappy change can feel like a very unwelcome interruption to their plans.
Hunger Can Make Everything Harder
A hungry baby is often less tolerant of any interruption.
If your baby regularly becomes distressed during nappy changes, consider whether hunger might be contributing.
In some situations, feeding first and changing afterwards can help.
In my experience, many babies cope better with nappy changes when they are calm and alert rather than desperately hungry or overtired.
Wind And Reflux
Changing position can sometimes make babies uncomfortable.
A baby with trapped wind or reflux may become upset when laid flat on their back.
If your baby regularly cries during changes and also struggles with feeding, wind, or reflux symptoms, it may be worth discussing this with your healthcare professional.
Why Do Babies Always Wee During A Nappy Change?
Many parents discover this particular newborn talent very quickly.
Exposure to cooler air can stimulate urination.
This is why experienced parents often learn to open the nappy, wait a few seconds, and then continue with the change.
It can save a surprising number of outfit changes.
Your Face Is One Of Their Favourite Things To Look At
Newborn vision is still developing.
During the first few months, your face is one of the most interesting and familiar things your baby can see.
Some babies become calmer during nappy changes when parents talk, smile, sing, and maintain eye contact.
The nappy change may not become their favourite activity, but your presence can make it feel much safer and more predictable.
Some Babies Actually Love Nappy Changes
Not all babies dislike them.
Some babies seem delighted by the experience.
They enjoy:
Being naked
Stretching their arms and legs
Looking at faces
Having one-to-one interaction
As with so many things in newborn care, temperament plays a role.
Every baby is different.
Babies Learn Routines Surprisingly Quickly
One reassuring thing for parents to know is that babies learn.
As their nervous system matures, they begin to recognise familiar routines and predict what comes next.
A baby who cries during every nappy change at two weeks old may be perfectly relaxed about it a month later.
Many babies become much happier once the experience becomes familiar and predictable.
Practical Tips To Make Nappy Changes Easier
You may find it helpful to:
Have everything ready before you begin
Keep the room comfortably warm
Use warm water or warm wipes if needed
Talk or sing to your baby throughout the change
Place a reassuring hand on their chest
Move slowly and predictably
Avoid waiting until your baby is extremely hungry or overtired
Small changes can sometimes make a big difference.
When Crying Might Mean Something Else
Although crying during nappy changes is usually normal, there are occasions when discomfort may be the cause.
Consider seeking advice if your baby has:
Significant nappy rash
Broken skin
A fungal rash
Signs of infection
Persistent distress during every nappy change
Other symptoms such as poor feeding or illness
Trust your instincts.
Parents are often the first to notice when something is not quite right.
Your Baby Isn’t Giving You A Hard Time
One of my favourite reminders for parents is this:
Your baby isn’t giving you a hard time.
Your baby is having a hard time.
Newborns communicate through crying because it is one of the only tools they have.
Most babies who cry during nappy changes are not being difficult.
They are simply telling us that the experience feels big, surprising, uncomfortable, or overwhelming.
A Final Thought
One day you may find yourself laughing at the memory of those early nappy changes when your baby screamed as though you were performing major surgery.
For many newborns, nappy changes are simply another adjustment to life outside the womb.
With time, familiarity, patience, and gentle reassurance, most babies become much happier participants.
And if your baby’s crying ever feels overwhelming, remember that it is perfectly okay to pause.
If the nappy is clean and your baby is safe, you can wrap them in a muslin or towel, pick them up, and have a cuddle before trying again.
Sometimes a minute or two of connection is all either of you needs.
One of the hardest things about early motherhood is hearing your baby cry.
Many new mothers find the sound physically and emotionally difficult to tolerate, and that is completely normal. Your body is designed to respond to your baby’s distress.
So if you find yourself feeling flustered, anxious, or overwhelmed during a nappy change, please be gentle with yourself too.
Take a breath.
Pick your baby up.
Offer some comfort.
Then try again when you are both feeling calmer.
You do not have to get every nappy change perfect.
You and your baby are learning together.
About The Author
Solange Martins is a mentor, coach, and former maternity nurse with over 20 years of experience supporting women through every season of motherhood. Based in the UK, she works with mothers at all stages — from the newborn haze to rediscovering their identity in later chapters — offering compassionate guidance, practical tools, and a steady, non-judgmental space to find their footing again.