Bath time help!

[PrincessAlibobbins]

My 21 month old son has been going through quite a long phase of not liking baths.

He stands in the bath crying and it's quite upsetting to see.

We've pinpointed a few things that triggered it: first was pooing in the bath and the second was being sick in the bath.

After being sick it was about two months before he would sit down. Then bath time became fantastic! He was splashing and laughing - it was the best it had ever been. We recently moved house and the change of scenery, plus lots of new bathtime toys, bubbles and games seemed to help - we even renamed it "funtime splashtime"!

Then he was standing up in the bath last week and weed, and although I "washed it away", the second time it happened he wanted to get straight out. Now every bathtime he stands in the bath crying again. I feel like we're back to square one and don't know how to "fix" this as all the old tricks aren't helping.

Myself and my partner work full time (we leave the house at 7.30am), although I will be on maternity leave again in September, so morning baths aren't really possible.

Has anyone got any tips of how to help him enjoy bathtime again?

Thanks

How about showers instead? My DS1 (2 next month) usually comes in the shower with me or DH and enjoys it - he never has a bath these days.

Not that he doesn't like water, as he loves his weekly swimming lessons, but seems to enjoy showers too. Doesn't have one every day though, it's an 'as required' thing rather than routine for us.

Bunch of new bath toys? Excitement might distract him?

My DD and most of her pals have had similar anxieties at some point and they have thankfully just been a phase.

Could you do early bath or morning bath so that tiredness doesn't add to the upset.

Thanks both. Last night we just played with the bath toys in the bathroom and didn't get in the bath. We borrowed some favourite water tray toys from nursery, which he enjoyed playing with. Hopefully we're on the right track!