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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Nightmare bath times. Ideas please

14 replies

Ilovemyself · 22/08/2013 18:59

We are really struggling with one of our 17 month old twins.

Our little boy loves bath time but our girl has a scream fit when she has to have a bath. She avoids the bathroom even if it is not bath time

She sometimes settles down after 15 minutes or so, but that is not a given.

It is the same when we go swimming. With swimming once she has settles down she loves it.

Has anyone else had this to deal with, and if so what did you do to solve the problem.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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ChocChaffinch · 22/08/2013 19:03

bath toys / crayons / get her to run it get in with her?

FrussoHathor · 22/08/2013 19:08

Bubble machine in the bathroom that only goes on when she's in the bath?

Original poster

Ilovemyself · 22/08/2013 19:19

Thanks. They have toys but I love the crayon idea. Running it would be a problem to start with but we can aim for that once she is happier with bath time

Don't know what the local pool will make of the crayons though grin

OP posts:

grants1000 · 22/08/2013 19:47

Start playing with a little bit of water in a bowl on the kitchen table, get some shaped sponges, all do it & have fun together. Gradually build up more water, then maybe a bigger bow outside to splash you feet in, you see what I mean, desensitise her to large amounts of water, small steps at a time should help. Maybe she could watch you & daddy, separately, in the bath, so she sees you enjoying it.

MiaowTheCat · 22/08/2013 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CravingSunshine · 22/08/2013 19:55

Would she have a quick shower? She could even sit down in bath if you have a shower head with a long enough hose.

Original poster

Ilovemyself · 22/08/2013 20:20

The strange thing is she is not too bad with the paddling pool.

We are lucky to have a huge corner bath (don't know what the landlord was thinking with our small bathroom.) so I will try her in with me next time. Maybe mummy can be on standby with twin brother and we can all take her mind off what she is scared of.

I also think that her new found love of our 5 month old would mean that she would love to help us bath him. We normally both get involved at bath time anyway, so it won't be to hard.

Craving. The thing she freaks put about most is getting her head wet. We have tried the shower to get her washed as quickly as possible. That is the worst of all for her.

These are really great ideas. Thanks all.

OP posts:

MiaowTheCat · 22/08/2013 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kithulu · 22/08/2013 22:28

I would suggest a big family bath- Get in all together it sounds big enough!!

AntoinetteCosway · 22/08/2013 22:41

Funny question I know but does she have any issues with constipation? DD (2yo) has been on medication for constipation for several months and has been a bath refuser all that time, having loved them previously. She showers happily but will not sit down in the bath. I wonder whether sitting in warm water hurts her bum

BabiesAreLikeBuses · 22/08/2013 23:50

How often do you go swimming? I ask as the mother of 5 year old b/g twins who struggled with this until they were two without having any other kids... By the time they were 2, he was water phobic, bath was ok but not splashing, putting head in, going to the beach -even refused to walk on the sand! I took them swimming twice a week, on the first trip he sat on a lounger by the pool for all but 5 mins watching OAP aqua aerobics but after 6 months was putting his head under the shower toy in the kids pool... Made a huge difference and made hair washing easier too!

Original poster

Ilovemyself · 23/08/2013 18:22

We don't go swimming anywhere near enough. Because we have 3 we are always looking for person no 3 so it takes planning.

Definitely no constipation lol.

I think the little brother bath time is the best bet, or in with me or mummy.

OP posts:

clarkykitten · 23/08/2013 19:42

Hiya,

My DD had issues with hair washing and baths at that age. We ended up taking all pressure off and just spending a few days giving her dolly a bath and washing dolly's hair (head - she was bald). After a few days, we asked if she wanted to get in the bath with dolly, again to wash dolly's hair (no attempt to clean DD (baby wash in bath, to get her clean), then after a few more days, she let us wash her hair while she washed dolly's hair.

Very slowly and softly softly seemed to work. She loves swimming now, though still doesn't like getting her whole head wet (DD is 3 now). Lots of water play outside of bath time seemed to help too.

Good luck :)

Original poster

Ilovemyself · 23/08/2013 19:54

Clarkykitten. So bloody obvious when you think about it. She loves her "baby" which now goes everywhere with her.

Thanks all. Any other suggestions would e great as well - just in case 😃

OP posts:

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