Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

Original poster

3 month old hates being in water

12 replies

Jenfield · 20/11/2013 19:38

My baby girl cried terribly at first whilst being in her baby bath. She did get a little better in time but always cried a bit. Now she's bigger I've tried being in the big bath with her but she cries and jumps at the sound of splashing. If I sit her on my legs she seems to calm down but if I move her she cries. I have also enrolled in a swimming class in the hope a professional would give me tips on how to show my baby it's ok to be in the water. It didn't go well as my baby screamed for most of the lesson and the teacher said to bounce her which did nothing. I felt so embarassed as all the other babies loved the lesson. I felt like I ruined it for them all. I don't know if I should carry on with the lessons or try and go it alone. I'm so worried i'm going to give her a fear of water.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SteamWisher · 20/11/2013 20:01

Just leave it for a bit. Baths and swimming can be cold. Also if it coincides with when they're tired, then it's not a surprise.

I didn't give mine daily baths until they were on solids and getting mucky. Until then, I used warm wet flannels and have them wipe washes

Andcake · 20/11/2013 21:02

Ds hated baths and so we only did it once or twice a week at that age and also was sat on me - singing helped him stay calm. Things improved as soon as he could sit independently and was happy to have his bottom firmly on the bottom of the bath I think he felt safer

Misty9 · 20/11/2013 21:15

Ds loved his baths - but then we started waterbabies lessons when he was 8wks old and he HATED them! He too was the only baby who cried the whole time - we often got gently asked to leave early. Unfortunately I'm afraid he's never gotten the hang of water and at 2.2yo still hates swimming pools and the beach. He did recover his love of baths after a few weeks though (thankfully!) and still likes those though only standing up the strange child

General advice we got was not to push it as he genuinely seemed terrified, poor thing yes mother, I know I was the same

Misty9 · 20/11/2013 21:16

Oh, and we never have figured out what the problem was; they moved us to a much warmer pool halfway through the course to no avail. I don't think he likes the lack of control he felt in water - he's been the same with sand, not liking the feel of it giving way. Who knows.

looki · 20/11/2013 21:36

My little girl also hated baths. When on our pre-natal course, our midwife/instructor told us it was unnecessary to give daily baths and to just top and tail them with cotton wool and warm water. She continued hating water until she was about seven months old by which time I used bathe her in the sink little by little ie hold her wrapped in a towel and wash her feet, later her legs until eventually she would allow me to sponge her down while she stood up holding onto me. We eventually progressed to the baby bath in the actual bath and she started to enjoy it but it took a long time.

She is now 21m and cries when she has to get out of the bath! I'd just go along with her and wouldn't try to force it. Regarding Waterbabies, I would definitely opt out of the classes as they are supposed to be enjoyable and there is no point going when she doesn't like it. Wait until she is confident and try again a few months down the line.

Jiltedjohnsjulie · 21/11/2013 08:25

My DS was exactly like this, we bought a tummy tub and it really seemed to help.

ZuleikaD · 21/11/2013 10:39

Just leave it for a bit - at this age she doesn't need baths often. Definitely ditch the baby swimming.

wodalingpengwin · 22/11/2013 11:24

One of my children used to hate bath time as a baby too. He's a county swimmer now! Please don't worry. And I agree with other posters, ditch the swimming classes and try again when she's older.

riskit4abiskit · 25/11/2013 00:13

My ds is same age and is happier in bath when he can feel one of those bath seats under him. Also my mil auggested wrapping a flannel warmed with bath water on his torso. The idea being that he feels more secure and less vulnerable.

Is the room toasty warm so hes not cold in Bath or when taken out?

in the last week or two the screaming has stopped for us overnight so it might for you too!

riskit4abiskit · 25/11/2013 00:17

Also perhaps its not the swimming lessons as such that your dc dislikes, maybe all the sights and sounds are just a bit too overwhelming yet?

We have bought our ds a wrap wetsuity thing that seems to help with keeping warm and feeling secure when swimming. He still cried about 60% of the time tho!

ToddleWaddle · 25/11/2013 05:05

The swim suit wraps are lovely and cosy. I think water babies sell them.
Worth a go.
Also maybe try a gentle shower instead of a bath. Might enjoy being held closely.

riskit4abiskit · 25/11/2013 10:32

My wetsuit wrap was ten pounds on ebay buy it now and is up to 6mths

Flip