Toddler hates bath

[CaptainSinker]

DD is nearly 3. She has come to hate the bath. As in hysterical sobbing as soon as we approach the bathroom if the taps are running or bath is run. Basically have to force her in for quick wash as she screams and sobs.. Have tried gettin in with her which worked once but now if I get in she just stands next to the bath and directs me to play with bath toys, refusing to get in herself.

Any tips?

Does she have a doll that she could take in with her? Dd1 loves her undressing her bathtime bella then checking the water is warm enough for her / washing her hair and face and then snuggling her up in a towel afterwards - she barely notices she's in the bath herself!

Do she have her bath at the end of the day? Is she overtired? If so could she have it at a different time of the day?

Only other thing that worked with dd was using it like a padling pool - no bubble bath or washing just lots of toys and she wore her swimming costume!

Just leave it for a few days and do strip washes with a bowl of warm water and a flannel. In the kitchen if the bathroom is too much.

How is she going to the swimming pool? And can she shower afterwards?

lots of water play, maybe a bowl of water of water outside (when the weather is warm), stand her on a back to front chair and get her to wash plastic cups, bowls and plates at the kitchen sink.

Honestly, not having a bath for a week or so isn't going to be a problem.

Encourage her to go in the bathroom to clean her teeth, wash her hands before eating. Let her wander in the bathroom when you are in the bath.

The more of a big issue you make it, the worse her phobia will become. Take away the issue, and hopefully, in time she will come round.

Thanks for the replies. Some really useful ideas/food for thought. She isn't scared of bathroom in general, just when she knows a bath is in the offing. From what she says I think she doesn't like the feel of being wet. Will try the bowl and cloth tonight.

No garden unfortunately. We need to move!

Can you try a shower? Pitch it as dancing in the rain, but warm?

DD got scared of baths a few months ago. What worked for her was going back to the baby bath sat inside the big bath, and putting her into the big (dry) bath so she could play with the water without sitting in it. After a week or so she climbed in. We're still doing this!

My DS was exactly the same. We started letting him have showers (which are much more fun?!?) and he is fine.

DS1 went through this phase. We got the paddling pool out in the kitchen and let him throw a few plastic balls in. Then he decided to just get in there himself. A few nights of that and then we put the balls in a very shallow bath instead and he got in without bother.
He does get upset about bath time once in a while but more to do with the fact he knows it's bedtime!

If you try the paddling pool put lots of towels down first! Things get rather wet!

Shower or stand her in an empty bath and use a bowl of water and flannel.

Maybe progress to putting a little bit of water in the bath each time but let her choose how much, maybe let he use a jug or cup to pour water from the bowl into the bath. Make it a game but gives her a sense of control.

My DD is 2,5 and had an issue with baths. For quite some time i don't fill the bath, but let the water running from the tabs and showed her to fill caps and plastic bottles from it, she liked it and this is how we wash her now.

Someone once gave dd bath crayons that could write on tiles and the bath, and easily be washed off afterwards. (Unfortunately it stayed on the grouting...) Maybe she would enjoy something like that?