Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider never bathing ds again?

30 replies

itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 18:31

Oooohh, the bloody trials!

It's a recent thing; he's done it before. But he's just decided that bath time is for losers. He screams from the second he goes in, until the second he's plucked out. I've tried not bathing him for a few nights; no difference. He had a poo explosion tonight so it had to be the bath. He almost screamed himself sick.

Sigh. He's 14mo btw.

Wine
OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsSantaClaus · 13/12/2011 18:34

Do you have a shower?

Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 18:35

I do, I'm worried thatd send us both over the edge!

OP posts:
1Catherine1 · 13/12/2011 18:36

oh dear... sounds very traumatic. Perhaps threatening him with the hosepipe might help? Wink perhaps not. I recall a friend being hosed down by her grandmother once, she was 10 though...

Can 14 mo be showered? I showered with my LO when she was little little - that is about 6 weeks old when I was desperate for a shower and she hated me putting her down. I reckon I could do it to her too now and she is 8mo but I haven't tried as she loves bath time.

baubleybobbityhat · 13/12/2011 18:36

Its a phase and he will get over it.

Allow me to refresh your glass Wine.

belledechocchipcookie · 13/12/2011 18:37

Have you tried washing him in something smaller? I know it sounds silly but the bath is huge if your 14 months. Is there toys in there also?

belledechocchipcookie · 13/12/2011 18:38

You could also try getting in with him.

WhiteTrash · 13/12/2011 18:39

Mine have both done this. I bath with them for a while it doesnt work straight away but it does after a few goes. And they're happy again.

1Catherine1 · 13/12/2011 18:39

oh.. actually... another point...

Do you put him in the bath and wash him or get in the bath with him. My DD won't go in if I don't get in too. She just cries. I hope she grows out of that soon. If I'm in though she happily plays until I she gets bored.

1Catherine1 · 13/12/2011 18:39

x-post with everyone Blush srry

Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 18:53

I will try getting in with him over the holidays (on my own tomorrow night) but I'll give it a whirl. I have no idea where it's come from/what's triggered it. The shower thing isn't a bad idea... He could go in with DH after work couldn't he?

Wine o clock?

OP posts:
Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 18:54

Catherine believe me, I have considered hosing him down!

We do give him a bath every night; he's usually covered in crap/detritus from nursery and I like him to be clean.

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 13/12/2011 18:56

Do you have a bath mat? He could be worried about slipping?? (toddlers are odd)

Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 18:58

He has a special M&P bath seat thingo so I don't think so. He was just bellowing and sobbing 'mama'. It's been a week now and I should've bloody dealt with it better, dolt that I am Sad

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 13/12/2011 19:05

Sad It's OK, sounds stressful. I'd try getting in with him, it may be that he finds the bath too big and it's making him afraid??

RaraGigglePixie · 13/12/2011 19:07

My ds1 went through this phase (notice I say phase) for about 6 months.

I gave up in the end. Just wiped him over with a hot soapy flannel at the sink every other evening and once every 2nd week when Dp was home from work, as an extra pair of hands, we wrestled him into the bath to get his hair washed.

Then one day he asked to go in the bath with his brother and has been fine ever since.

CoffeeDog · 13/12/2011 19:09

I have twins (3)... no 1 son likes to splash..... no.2 son DOES NOT...

Get a load of thomas toys or a flashing rubber duck... i can easily throw a jug of water over their head, to wash off shampoo get the buggers back for scribberling on the wall in blue and red crayon if the duck is flashing ;)

JayneyMack · 13/12/2011 19:10

Could it be the seat that is making him unhappy?
May be worth trying him without it?

Backtobedlam · 13/12/2011 19:13

Maybe he feels restricted in the bath seat? Does he go swimming at all-if so any different there? Also check water is warm enough. I was paranoid about burning dc so had a bath thermometer, when it said temp was perfect we just used to get screaming...switched to using my elbow and warmer water and was fine.

Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 19:16

I've got a ton of toys, including a clockwork octopus named Dean who frequents the bath Grin

I'm going to try again tomorrow and if it doesn't work on Thursday I'll get in with him (DH working late tomorrow).

OP posts:
Original poster
itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 13/12/2011 19:16

back he goes swimming every week and LOVES it

OP posts:
inzidoodle · 13/12/2011 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

breatheslowly · 13/12/2011 19:40

You definitely don't need to be giving him a bath every night at this age. DD has two a week. We have two bath mats end to end so that she can't slip and she likes to use a cup to drink the water.

fanniadams · 13/12/2011 19:49

Have you thought about sitting him in the kitchen sink with some bubble mix to play with? Smaller cosy space but washes all the important bits (and easier on your back). Your DS may also feel you are closer and so feel a bit safer as well as enjoying the novelty factor of it all. Blowing bubbles is my favourite distraction technique :)

Backtobedlam · 13/12/2011 19:54

If he enjoys swimming I doubt he feels insecure in the bath. Good that he'll at least get a good wash once a week when he swims though! Ha ha. Hope this phase passes quickly, it makes bedtime stressful.

BliggOfTheDump · 13/12/2011 19:56

My DS is 13 months and a bath dodger. He screams himself stupid and always has done. He does like going to a swimming pool. I tried getting in with him but its still the same thing. I also used to try him in a tummy tub (£20 quid down the drain). He's due a bath now but its all a bit stressful.
I keep baths to a minimum and just use wipes often. He screams at this as well. His big sisters love the bath and are in there for hours!