Toddler Refuses To Wear Clothes: What to Do?

Some toddlers refuse to keep their clothes on once they figure out how to remove it. If your toddler’s undressing at every given opportunity is stressing you out, learn why he’s doing it and how you can stop him from it.

You may dress your toddler in the best of clothes but instead of keeping them on, he takes the first opportunity to take them off. When you wake up in the morning, he’s in his birthday suit, looking relaxed and smug. Apart from driving you up the wall, this new habit can be quite embarrassing, especially if he decides to disrobe in front of strangers or publicly. Moreover, if he takes off his diaper, it can get very messy! Why does he do this?

Reasons Why Toddler Is Taking Off Clothes and Diapers 

Here are some reasons to understand why is your toddler taking of his clothes and diaper.

1. Uncomfortable Clothes

Your child may not enjoy the touch of frills and lace against her skin, or your son may not like the bow tie around his neck or the line of buttons on his sweaters. Maybe he’s feeling hot and sweaty and doesn’t have the verbal skills to express himself.

2. Diaper Woes

Diapers get uncomfortable when soggy and heavy. Being unable to express himself, your child just pulls it off out of frustration. It could also be that he’s ready to be potty trained, and when he needs to go, he pulls off his diaper because he doesn’t like the uncomfortable feeling. Watch out for signs that he’s ready to be potty trained, such as squatting in a corner or scrunching up his face.

3. Seeking Attention

Your 16-month-old may refuse to stay dressed almost every chance he has, because of the reaction it gets out of you. It might be his way of getting attention from you or the people around him. Whether you go red in the face and start shouting at him or start making him wear his clothes, he’s fulfilled his goal!

4. Displaying New Skills

Your child may have just learnt how to undo zippers and unfasten Velcro or pull his arm out of a sleeve. For him, taking clothes off is a new and exciting activity, and he will want to do it over and over again till he gets bored or learns something new.

5. Assert Control

Toddlers have a knack for challenging their parents by asserting independence. After learning how to remove diapers and pants, they may assess your reaction toward it. When they have an urge to pee, they may signal toward their business by removing their diaper or clothing.

How to Encourage Your Toddler to Keep His Clothes On?

Fortunately, there are certain tricks and hacks that can help you encourage your tiny tot to keep their clothes on. Let’s discuss them in detail.

1. Allow Occasional Partial Nudity and Invest in Comfortable Clothing

Let your child be naked when it’s necessary, safe, and appropriate, but do explain to them gently that clothes are necessary in public or when guests are over because bodies are private. If it’s the diaper that seems to be bothering him, change it more frequently to avoid his irritation.

2. Choose Outfits With Fasteners

If your child often undresses in public, dress them in clothes that are harder to remove, like overalls, buttoned shirts, or pants with a belt. Try putting the clothes on backwards so that he can’t open the fasteners so easily. Onesies are generally tougher to take off, so you could have him wear them.

3. Remove Tags

Get your child comfortable clothing that doesn’t irritate his skin. Tags can irritate sensitive skin, so cut them off to make clothes more comfortable and help keep your child dressed.

4. Involve Them in Shopping

Let your child pick between two outfits to help them with their new-found independence (1). If they choose something inappropriate, offer an alternative.

5. Be Patient

Be calm and patient; children do such things to feel at ease. Talk to them in a gentle manner for them to come around your way. Avoid reacting strongly if your child undresses. Negative reactions can create shame, while laughter might encourage the behaviour for attention.

6. Encourage Practice

Teach your child why it is not a good practice to remove clothes using a doll or stuffed animal with easy-to-remove clothes. Be ready to help with putting clothes back on, which is more challenging.

How to Handle a Toddler Who Keeps Removing His Diaper?

If your little one is focusing only on yanking off his diaper and keeping the rest of his clothing as is it is, then they may be suggesting their urge to pee, poo, or any other discomfort they may be having. They may even feel not so good about the mess they make in their diapers. This is a sign to start them on potty training.

However, if your little patootie isn’t at the age to be potty trained yet doesn’t like to keep their diaper on, then you can secure the diaper with tape. Similarly, you can dress in clothes with tight fasteners or that are trickier to remove.

FAQs

1. Why is my toddler taking clothes off at night?

If your little one like to sleep without any distraction let alone the tightness and heaviness from a diaper, then he may be prompted to take off his clothes or diaper at night to enjoy a fuss-free sleep.

2. Why does my toddler like taking off his clothes and diaper every time I dress him? 

It may seem that your little one prefers to go au natural or is not comfortable with the clothing if your toddler refuses to wear clothes.

3. What age is not ideal for a child to go around naked?

It is not ideal to keep your child naked at any age; however, that also depends on the country you are living in, the cultural background, family preferences, and gender. However, once they attain four or five years of age, it is important to keep them clothed, even if in one piece of clothing like a trunk. Toddlers like to roam around without clothes in the home during the summer. It is parents’ responsibility to teach children about nudity and how they should be clothed at home and in public.

If your child just likes the freedom of being naked, give him some time to be without clothes, like 5 minutes before a bath. If your toddler’s tantrums are taken out on his clothing, try to explain to him about public and private places and how certain body parts should be covered. Most importantly, don’t overreact. Stay calm and apply these tips.

References/Resources:

1. “I Can Do It Myself” Toddler’s Push for Independence; Oklahoma State Department of Health; https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/documents/cgs.pub.icandoitmyself.pdf

Also Read:

Why Do Toddler Ignore You and What to Do About It?
Tips to Deal with Destructive Behaviour in Toddlers
Common Toddler Behaviour Problems and Their Solutions
Explaining Reasons For Refusing Your Toddler’s Demands