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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bath time

36 replies

LottieLou90 · 06/05/2019 18:22

Really sorry to post here.

My DS(8months) HATES baths. Detests them.

I bath him every other night (have done so since 2-3 months old) in the hope that he will get used to it etc to no avail.

It literally sounds like he is being tortured. Take him swimming and he loves it.

I’ve tried different times, in the morning, late afternoon, evening, after bottle, before dinner, half hour after bottle, toys in the bath, had a bath seat but he’s been sitting since 6 months so got rid of that, tried with water running, water off, singing etc but he just screams.

It’s at the point where I dread it, he hates it. It’s the same if DH does it too. Has anyone else been here? Any tips to help? Please.

OP posts:
EnglishRose13 · 06/05/2019 18:24

Have a bath with him?

IncrediblySadToo · 06/05/2019 18:25

How deep do you have it?

Does he like it if you’re in the bath with him?

What’s he like if you lay him down (on his back, shallow bath) rather than sit him up?

What’s he like in the shower?

Sexnotgender · 06/05/2019 18:25

Does he like a shower?

SeaToSki · 06/05/2019 18:25

Water temp - hotter or colder
Bubbles
Try a shower instead
A hand held toy shower thingy that he can hold
Different toys
Playtime in the bath with no water to get him happy to be there
Sit him on a towel - maybe his bum is cold, dragging on bath bottom
Fill bath really full and let him 'swim'

Cherylshaw · 06/05/2019 18:27

Mine were both the same we just ended up going in with them and they were fine

octonoughtcake3 · 06/05/2019 18:27

Is it deep enough for him?

nauseous5000 · 06/05/2019 18:28

My DD was this! Until she had ownership of the process- putting on soap, washing offf, putting shampoo in hair ( I had to wash out) I also let her take fav cuddly toy in bath because washing machines are easy- made big diff!

Confusedbeetle · 06/05/2019 18:28

Are baths 100%necessary?

JagerPlease · 06/05/2019 18:30

My DS was totally like this. I found it helped to get in with him, and generally bath him less as at that age they don't need it. Once he was old enough to properly sit in himself and appreciate bubbles and toys, everything hing changed and now I have to drag him out n

NotSoThinLizzy · 06/05/2019 18:33

My DS hated baths so I chucked in his sister too and he loved it might be an idea for someone to go in with him? Or for him to see people in the bath.

kaytee87 · 06/05/2019 18:35

Is the water warm enough? Have you tried going in with him?

outvoid · 06/05/2019 18:36

Either get in with him or buy a Shnuggle bath if you haven’t already tried one, they’re amazing.

Original poster
LottieLou90 · 06/05/2019 21:13

Haven’t heard of a shnuggle bath. Tried with his sister (6) and DH got in too which he found ok for the first 10 seconds then screamed. Tried the shower over him and had the same outcome. Temperature nice and warm like the swimming pool he loves.

I’ve tried top and tailing with bowl of warm water and heating on so he’s still warm.

Do you think I’m bathing too often? I thought maybe he might get used to it and accept it but I feel awful when doing it.

Thank you for all the replies x

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 06/05/2019 21:16

My DS loves his shnuggle. Got it on Facebook marketplace for £7

Original poster
LottieLou90 · 06/05/2019 21:17

Going to have a look into shnuggle baths...

OP posts:
FromageFrais · 06/05/2019 21:19

Bath toys, bubble machine and music helped my DD.

crispysausagerolls · 06/05/2019 21:20

At 8 months schnuggle bath will be a waste of money! DS had to stop using his at 4-5 months as he was wriggling and nearly tipping the bath over.

I don’t think you are bathing him too often. Have you tried a bath seat in the bath? What about one of the vtech bath toys - eg the interactive elephant?

reetgood · 06/05/2019 21:25

Mine hated baths at that age too. I ended up taking him to baby swimming lessons, taking a punt that being in a larger body of water was what he needed. It actually worked!

However, he later developed what turned out to be eczema. The doctor suggested reducing the baths, and we saw almost immediate improvement. We never put anything in the baths, either. We now bathe him twice a week (and swim once), and I promise he’s not grotty!

Dermymc · 06/05/2019 21:27

I bathed mine abiut twice per week at that age. Top and tail daily but they don't need a full wash every other day.

Elisheva · 06/05/2019 21:36

When DD went through this phase I stopped baths completely for two weeks. I took her in the bathroom when I had a bath so she could watch, and she watched her brothers have a bath too. I put her in the bath with some toys when it was empty. It seemed to break the ‘habit’ of being scared of the bath.

Toodleoopuddle · 06/05/2019 21:39

Mine went through a phase of this. Just backed off, flannel led him down and bathed occasionally and he changed his tune soon enough.

LucyAutumn · 06/05/2019 21:45

My DS was like this, even when I got in with him, I started bringing a flannel in the bath and draping it on him and he was much better. Still not sure why but presuming he didn't like the vulnerability of being completely nude and the flannel made him feel protected/ clothed?

mommybear1 · 06/05/2019 21:45

Showers!! My DS is 18 months now and has only just started to go in the bath

Original poster
LottieLou90 · 06/05/2019 21:45

Thank you everyone. Ok, so he can watch his sister have a bath and DH and me. He finds it funny when his sister is in there, whole different story when I put him in 🙄

Maybe I should try baby swimming lessons. I take him swimming once a week just us and he loves it, even water on his face / head (splashed by other children) I guess just persevere and hope for the best.

Thank you all again x

OP posts:
Fatted · 06/05/2019 21:46

Does he really need a full on bath every other day?

Try just giving him a quick dunk in the kitchen sink. I did this lots with my youngest.

I always found when DC were babies they needed the water a lot warmer than the 'recommended' temperature for babies.