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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

Baby hates bath........advice?

11 replies

Benjaminsmummy · 31/03/2004 09:37

DS is 4 months old and HATES going in the bath. There was a brief period of about 1 week when he liked it but on the rare occasions I try it, he goes in (on a bath support) lies there for about 20 seconds and then his face crumples and he screams. So there is a lot of top and tailing (which he loves!) in our house.

Any suggestions? I used to be under the misguided impression that babies liked baths, but DS didn't read the book!

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juniper68 · 31/03/2004 10:16

I used to get in with my two sons. Either that or bath him in a washing up bowl on a big towel in the living room. Young babies don't like the expansive space feeling as they like contact.
hope you find an answer soon hun x

kiwisbird · 31/03/2004 10:25

Both of mine wen through this I got in with them until they calmed down, this worked and both ended up adoring bathtime by 1 yr old...
I only bathed them when really necessary and also changed the time of day too - to when they were less tired and likely to sound off.
HTH
J xx

WideWebWitch · 31/03/2004 10:29

You could just top and tail then and bath him every now and again. Maybe he would be happier if you held him? I know it would mean a shorter bath (they're heavy aren't they? My dd is 4mos too) but maybe he'd feel more supported.

smellymelly · 31/03/2004 10:43

Dont think you need to distress him every night either, not all of us have the time or the inclination to bath our kids every night.

He might feel better in a couple of months when he can sit up in one of those bath support things...

Until then I agree with maybe holding him yourself in the bath.

I remember as newborns it was always a bit of a pain bathing my 2, they always used to cry when I took them out the water!!!

Original poster

Benjaminsmummy · 31/03/2004 13:06

Well, asking my question seems to have helped already! Gave DS a bath this morning (never do evening baths as defeats the relaxing objective ) and he was happy! Kicked his legs and did his version of a giggle!

I held him in a sitting position on the bath support and he kept his vest on which another friend had suggested. He lay back on the support for a little while as well.

I havewn't been giving him daily torture BTW, more like weekly torture but might try again within a week (will probably hate it again but you have to keep on trying don't you!)

OP posts:

throckenholt · 31/03/2004 13:23

one of my twins used to love the bath until once he had a sore bot through nappy rash - since then he has been hysterical whenever we try and get him in the bath as soon as his feet touch the water. Makes no difference if we are with him in the batch or not. He is now 14 months old. He stands at the side of the bath watching dad and twin and older brother all having fun together in the bath, and seems like he wants to join in.

Not sure how to cure this one.

aloha · 31/03/2004 14:26

How warm is it? Our ds likes his bath at bath temperature (or 'lovely and warm' as he calls it). I have a photo of him in his first bath - screaming! He hated the tepid water. When we made it about normal bath temperature, he instantly loved it. I like my baths really hot actually, and make few concessions to him now he's two. He's perfectly happy - if a tad lobster-like.

stace · 31/03/2004 14:26

try putting him in the bath with no water and toys to play with first, see if you can get him used to this and then add water while he is in the bath rather than putting him into it.

Hope it works it did for us but you need to be a bit patient a little at a time!!! Also see if he can take some of his favourite toys in to distract him, buckets and stuff are usually quite good.

Have to say my ds now loves his bath and cries if he cant have one every night, we also have to take the water out while he is still in otherwise he hates getting out... so we are now in reverse!!!!

HTH

aloha · 31/03/2004 14:27

Dh or I or both still get in with him every night. I have also been known to take a glass of wine as well

shrub · 31/03/2004 14:41

sounds like he wants to be held? have you tried having a bath with him?low lighting- i usually put a candle in far corner of bathroom and sing and rock him into the water - lots of soothing singing for about 10 mins then out (quit while your ahead) and a massage. does he scream as soon as you take his clothes off? sudden change in temperature can upset them, maybe swaddle in towel to make him feel secure. maybe you could sing a song associated with bath time to soothe him at the beginning or massage him first? i find it a bit tricky getting out with my ds2 have you a dp/dh that can take him out of the bath at the end? top and tailing is fine if not.

cords · 01/04/2004 13:24

I had this with DD for about a couple of weeks ... To cure the problem, I slowly got her accustomed to water again by firstly tipping toes in , then more, and more until she was ok with it. Always took her clothes off though and always made sure that she finished not cryign so that the next time she would not associate it with fear again. She was 2.5 months then and now LOVES it !

I hope the suggestions that everyone has come up with work ... It can be really stressful when something that you do every day leads to intense crying ! Good luck

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