Nightmare at bathtime.

[WaftyCrank]

DS is 3.1 and recently has become terrified of the bath. He will scream and cry when we tell him it's bathtime and refuse to get it.

We have tried me getting in with him and using toys but he still hates it.

It's not just when we wash his hair either, he was in with DD the other day and as I picked up the jug to rinse her hair he freaked out and jumped up knocking her under the water. As I grabbed her he managed to jump out of the bath but ended up banging his bottom on the side of the bath and his head on the radiator.

I'm just not sure what else to do, we don't bath him every night, maybe 3 times a week but he's getting worse each time.

DP mentioned the bath tonight at 4.30pm and he's still sobbing about it now because he's knows it's coming after tea. I've tried telling him not to worry and reassuring him but he's still really upset.

Any advice would be great.

I have no idea but will give you a bump because I want someone to come along who knows what to do.

I had something similar with my DS but her was only about 14 months at the time so not sure if the same will apply.
I think he started associating bathtime with bedtime so I kept plonking him in the bath with toys while I went to the loo with him fully dressed and no water in the bath. When he screamed I didn't make a fuss I tried to distract him (had some of those bath crayons)or I just took him out.
Eventually I managed to get him so he was just wearing a t shirt and then I would turn on the shower hose and let him splash about. Now 2 months later he loves the bath but I still put him in and then run the bath with the shower hose.
Over those 2 months he still loved going swimming so still got cleanish!

Bath once a week will cut the distress for all of you.

Does he dislike water all together or just bath time....
My ds now 5 used to hate the bath but loved swimming...I used to dread bath time as much as him...
One day I decided to put our swimming costumes on, goggles and armbands and we've never looked back.

fyi we don't still wear our cossies but he does have a water gun (which dh also finds quite fun)..[grins]

good luck x