Help- I've ruined bathtime!

[smoggii]

My 1 year old has always loved her bathtime. The other morning I was taking her to get photos done when she rubbed a whole load of buttery toast in her hair. I didn't have much time so i stripped her off, popped her in the (empty ) bath for a quick shower.

Temperature was fine but she really didn't want to go in because it was morning and i messed her about by taking her out of her clothes when she'd only just been dressed and she was grumpy because she wanted a bottle, so she screamed the house down.

Now...I can't get her near the bath, even for normal bathtime which she has always loved. I feel so awful, like I've ruined it for her. What can i do to make it better again?

My advice is heavily caveated by the fact that my 15 month old refused point blank to sit in the bath tonight and screamed instead.....perhaps you could get in with her?

I'd run I lovely bubbly bath, choose I nice quiet time and get in with her
Take her favourite toys, and have a great time together
I miss this now my dc are too olf

Oops xpost

I second, or is it third now, getting in with her. When DD had a wobble about bathtime, getting in with me really helped.

Make sure the room and the water are nice and warm, put a few bubbles in if they won't irritate her skin and maybe treat yourselves to a new bath toy. She'll be splashing about again in no time :)

Yes, get in the bath with her with some new toys and even a dummy if she uses that. You don't always have to give a bath either, you can wash little hands/face/bottom under the sink and leave baths for those nights when she is alert and happy. Mine has showers as well instead of baths (doesn't always have to be such a looooong thing)

Definitely try getting in with her, it's lovely. Lots of bubbles are good, or you could get some great new bathtoys (maybe some of those underwater lights?).

Thanks all. I usually have sunday night bathtime with her, didn't this week but maybe that's what i'll do for the rest of the week to try and sort this out.

Sorry to jump in - if you do this for a bit, is it hard to get them to have a bath by themselves? My DD (16 months) screams whenever I get her in the bath, no matter what I do, although I haven't tried this yet.