Problem washing a 9mth olds face

[samjandwich]

Hiya,
I'm a childminder and i mind a 9mth old baby, when i wash his face or wipe his nose he struggles and screams/ crys lots and lots but settles down five mins later he really hates it, the poor thing, I have spoken to his mum about this and she says she doesn't know what to do about it as hes the same with her.We don't use any product just luke warm wateras he has eczema, and we are ever so gentle. So I thought i would pop a message on here and see if any of you lovely peops have any tips

[Frizbe]

dd is 17mths and still hates having her face washed, just carry on! sometime before the age of 20 they'll get used to it!

[Katemum]

My 10 month old is the same, I just get it over with quickly, she is soon back to smiling.

[singyswife]

Hi

Both my girls hated having their faces washed. We used to let them do it first, tell them they had missed a wee bit and could we have a shot, and then promise them that we would "Leave them a bit of bogin" on to clean off. My eldest daughter is 4 and we still have this ritual if she needs her face washed. It just makes them feel grown up and helpful and not like you are forcing it on them, hope it helps.

[samjandwich]

Thanks for replies all, I guess it will get better with time and when hes older i his mum and i can invilve him with it, and just persevere for now ( hope thats how you spell it lol).

[Surfermum]

I used to make squeaking noises as I did it and it would make her laugh.

[LauraWitt]

Hi
I have a 19mth old son who detests having his teeth brushed!!!! It's such a battle! Any advice?

[Surfermum]

Oh yes, I do! Fantastic tip from another mumsnetter which has worked with dd. I tell her the Tellytubbies are in her mouth and she has to tickle them with her toothbrush. There's one in each side, top and bottom and Noo-noo in the middle. It really does work a treat and she lets me tickle them too.

Which reminds me - I must go and look up the old thread and see whose tip it was so they get the credit!

[LauraWitt]

I'll have to try that one in the morning! Thanks!

[Surfermum]

It was Branster! Thanks Branster!!

[pragmatist]

samjandwich,

You just have to persevere and wipe face anyway - despite the crying. My ds has similar hysterics over washing face, nappy changes and getting dressed (but is otherwise cheerful)