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AIBU?

to think i have ruined bathtime forever?

17 replies

itispersonal · 04/02/2014 20:10

Dd (10mo) ad an explosive poo yesterday drenched her tights, outfits etc. Dd Doesnt often do these types of poo but teething and currently has an ear and throat infection which found out today.

So to clear dd up as I was on my own, I put her in the bath, undressed her and then used the shower head to clear the poo off her. Dd got into a state from bein showered, she normally loves the bath and being in the bath.

Later last night when Dp bathe dd , she wasn't her normal self and when saw the shower she started to scream. Dp got into bath with dd but she still didn't settle.

Today took dd into bathroom at different points of the day and she is crawling up me to go out, got her to clean teeth in there with no problem. When bath time came again, dd got into a state again and screamed all through bath time.

Have I unintentionally ruined Bathtime. Dp is currently pissed off with me, as I've ruined his time with her, he says she is now petrified of water! She was and always has been a water baby. Feeling a bit shit but surely she'll go back to normal in a couple of days? Right?

OP posts:

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LyndaCartersBigPants · 04/02/2014 20:13

Yes, clearly what you should have done is left her covered in poo, or run her a lovely warm bath so that she could sit and marinade in a soup of her own poo

You cleaned her up in the most efficient and sensible way. I don't see what else you could have done. If your DP is moaning I suggest next time she explode poo all over her clothes you call him to sort it out.

TrampledUnderfoot · 04/02/2014 20:13

She might go back to normal when she's not feeling poorly.

Cranky01 · 04/02/2014 20:14

She'll be fine just give her a bit of time, maybe put some babies in the washing up bowl on the kitchen floor.

Your dp is a knob for being in a mood.

FuzzyWuzzywasaWoman · 04/02/2014 20:15

Of course she will enjoy them again stop worrying :). She's not well bless her and will be right as rain soon. Just avoid giving her a bath for a few days and when she's ready again get in with her and keep it calm and quiet. it will be fine.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 04/02/2014 20:16

Thi is fixable op dont worry!

Slow and steady, small steps and make being in there loads of fun and comfortable. Let her play with the showerhead switched off. New bath toys, maybe coloured bath bombs (you can get chilldrens ones) maybe dont wash her hair for the first bath, just use a flannel to wet it over. Gradually increase water contact around her face and head.

Goldmandra · 04/02/2014 20:17

It's really not unusual for children of this age to suddenly be terrified of the bath.

Don't force her to be in there. Leave attractive things in there for her to get herself. After she's been going in and out happily for a while put a toy or two in the bath and let her stand at the side to see them. Don't put her in with them.

Then put something she really loves in there, without water and put her in fully clothed if she's happy to do it.

Eventually she'll come round to the idea that bathing is fun but, in the meantime wash her a different way.

TheGreatHunt · 04/02/2014 20:17

She's probably under the weather still and unsettled.

Your DP is being silly. You did the right thing.

Just leave off baths for now she'll be ok.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2014 20:21

DD became bath-phobic for a few weeks (due to a criminally stupid bath system in a hotel that hurt her feet). She went back to loving them later. It took time and gentle persuasion.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/02/2014 20:21

It sounds like a very practical solution to a messy situation. She is out of sorts so now makes an unfortunate association with the shower and how she felt. It is bad luck but quite often LOs go off things they once regarded as treats. Maybe avoid baths for a couple of days then introduce more toys to distract her.

sewingandcakes · 04/02/2014 20:26

Give her a break from baths for a few days until she's well, then try again, without making a big deal of it, if possible. How about a new exciting bath toy too?

You absolutely did the right thing in washing the poo of her; DP is being very unkind. Surely he can find some other way to have special time with her in the meantime?

ScarlettMantleplume · 04/02/2014 20:28

She'll be fine! DM ruined bath time for us. Don't know what she did but speaking from personal experience she probably tipped water over DS' head. :) He was over it within a fortnight and now we struggle to keep him out. If he sees DH or I in the bath he's stripping his clothes off and climbing in before you can say Jack Robinson.

Panzee · 04/02/2014 20:30

I ruined bath time for my 11month old by putting him in the big bath, he screamed and then for a week he screamed in the baby bath too. Watched his big brother in the bath last night and now loves it! She'll get back into it, they all do eventually. :)

itispersonal · 04/02/2014 20:32

Thanks for the advice.

Dp had bought her a new bath toy and some bubble bath to try and get her interested. Dp is bein silly/mardy/childish but we've had a tough couple of weeks with dd bein ill, me being ill and dd ill again so we are all sleep deprived. Him more so than me as I nap in the afternoon with dd and still not back at work yet.

Just wanted to tell him it will only be a couple of days etc and all will be back to normal.

OP posts:

silverstreak · 04/02/2014 20:33

My wee one (11 months) had a bath scare about 2 months ago as well! She always loved baths from the off, but she's also a bit of a wriggler & This one time was playing around and slipped over to one side, resulting in her face (but not her mouth/nose) going half under water.... She freaked right out, crying & screaming - it was clearly just the shock more than anything - and also wouldn't go in the bath next day, clinging limpit-style to me and whimpering. I just tried to carry on as normal, didn't force anything but continued running her bath every night, undressing her, taking her in and talking to her gently while trying to put her in, and taking each bath-time as it came - it took about 5-7 days only! So basically I guess I'm saying, don't worry - we n my experience she'll be fine in a WK or so! :) good luck! (& tell your dp not to be such a drama queen!!)

SweetPenelope · 04/02/2014 21:38

At that age, they'll forget pretty quickly. They also don't have to have a bath everyday (unless there's a big poo episode).

I'd skip the bath for a few days and get back into it slowly.

VikingLady · 04/02/2014 22:06

She will get over it, though you panic they won't DD went through this too, and every so often she gets scared of nappy changes after a bad bout of nappy rash - she gets over that too.

They have relatively short memories, thank god!

There was a thread a while ago about how to get DCs over a fear of baths. I can't find it, but the gist was to reintroduce them slowly after giving them a few days off.

lylasmam2012 · 04/02/2014 22:10

DD had about 3 weeks when she was 14 months old where she hated the bath and would scream until I took her out. She now runs for the stairs when I mention the bath and can't wait to get in it

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