Fear getting worse with hair washing - advice needed please

[fikn]

Hello,
My little boy is 22 months old and has developed an awful fear of having his hair washed. Up untill a year we had no problems, I would lie him down in the bath and wash his hair. It then all changed and has got worse with time. Even though he has a bath every night we only wash his hair once a week. I had been following the advice of just ignor it and he will come round, be consistant and calm and his reaction will improve but its out of controle. The screaming was one thing but in the last few weeks he has started shaking with fear. The sort of behavour I see in adults with phobias. It probably soulds really silly but I am worried I am doing him some long term damage. I dont really know what to do as I have to wash his hair. Any advice would be a real help. Thank you

My DS is much better than he was, but he has always hated having his hair washed.

Can you perhaps just wash his hair with a flannel? Thats easier to tolerate. Don't bother using any shampoo.

The other thing is to make a game of tipping water over your own head, make out its fun, and encourage him to do it to himself - but leave it a bit for him to get over his fear

We had this with DS1. When we washed his hair we used to strip of fnad DH would hold him and I would wash. it was so bad that the neighbours knocked on the door once and asked if everything was ok. We then got his hair cut quite short and used a face cloth to wash it. he's 12 now and we still have a performance getting it washed

My ds1 was like this until about 3 and a half. Now four and doesn't even mind us pouring water over his face, will go under water in swimming pool. Ds2, who is two, is now the hairwashing-phobe. He screams and cries whilst I basically just have to force him to have his hair washed. They were also both fine till about one. I think it is normal and will just get better with age. You won't be doing him long term damage!

All of mine did this. I think at 10 months and it lasted about 6 months to a year. Tried all sorts - shower, jug hat (full jug on his head like a hat, spray and pouring toys, just doing it, lying back, taking in the shower with one of us, fsce cloth on the eyes, crazy hair do, santa claus (make beard too).

I don't know if any of it worked tbh - but you gotta try something! Good news is that they finally got over it - but it was horrible at the time

My advice would be to get a shield that u can put on dc's head. Its made of same kinda material like a mouse mat for computers. Boots and mothercare sell them. Check out hairwash hell thread.

My advice would be to get a shield that u can put on dc's head. Its made of same kinda material like a mouse mat for computers. Boots and mothercare sell them. Check out hairwash hell thread.

Sorry for the double message. Dodgy blackberry

Thank you all, this is my first time using Mumsnet and you have all been so helpful. I will see how we get on.