sudden fear of bath (quickie)

[strangerthanfiction]

Dd, 21 months, has for the last week, out of the blue, become terrified at the thought of getting in the bath. Previously, since birth, she's LOVED having a bath, more and more so in fact as she's got older. I usually have to drag her out of it. Nothing has changed in routine etc., she hasn't slipped and fallen, we haven't been away. She has been a bit poorly with an ear infection but this started before that really kicked in.

So, is this typical? Please tell me it's a phase? And is there anything I can do about it?

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Thanks Galaxy, that's just what I wanted to hear!! This week she's had 30 second sponge downs while standing screaming in the bath tub. Her hair's starting to look pretty grim now too.

Actually I meant to ask if anyone had any good tips / methods for hairwashing toddlers.

Our DD went through a phase of this last year (she was 4 then though) but we couldn't be sure she hadn't slipped or fallen as she stays with her bio-mother every 2nd weekend and there's no way she would tell us if she had.

What I had to do in the end was, me get in the bath, stand up and hold her in my arms (she was fine with this), just kept talking to her & reassuring her, then a couple of mins later said I was going to sit down in the bath (still holding her, although she was holding onto me tight enough!!) just constantly talking to her and reassuring her, then after 5 mins (when she was comfortable sitting on me) lowered her so that she was sitting between my legs. Then to take her mind off it started playing with her toys with her.

She has been fine since then

reading message bought back memories. My dd went through a stage when she would refuse a bath, if I remember rightly she was about 18 months. I overcome this one day by visiting a friend with a child the same age, we stayed for tea and when it came to home time, her child was having a bath, so I put my dd in aswell - she did't even object as her friend was having so much fun - I think before I did this, she had refused a bth for about a week.

It is definately as phase, don't worry

Yes - happened with my dd, who's generally a sensible child, off and on actually between say 18 months and 2.5. Would usually get triggered by a slip/bump in the water, or (hm now I think about it a bit disgusting) an "accident" in the bath - she would then be dreadfully worried about having another accident the next night. Each phase lasted a few days - inside of a week - then we'd be fine for months. When she was in a phase, we didn't stop the baths, but instead did:

• very quick baths (despite, and while, screeching) plus lots of praise afterwards; or

• baths with one of us, like hiddenspirit.

Are you potty-training? Might it be an "accident"-type anxiety that she can't explain to you?

Happened with DD when she was 2 1/2, found out stupid DH had told her to be careful that she didn't go down the plughole......I ask you!!!!
Anyway, she is fine now, as long as plug is left in!

Have you tried a shower? We do this when time is limited, pretend it is on hol or at swimming pool....

Thanks everyone. She actually did have a bath tonight though protested a bit about getting in and wouldn't sit down for a while. She's had an ear infection so is a bit ginger in general which I'm sure has lots to do with it. She hasn't had a slip or fall, or an 'accident' - in fact I can't find a reason for it other than her current illness.

Dd 15 months, did a similar thing, about 6 weeks ago, howled like a banshee at the sight of a bath, no water related traumas or illness. I think it's quite a common phase, we gradually re-introduced her to it, with one of us in/lots of bubbles and lots of praise even if she only lasted 30 seconds. It makes you wonder whats going through their minds. She's fine again now.
Good luck

Thanks OzJo, yes it's weird how they suddenly develop these fears over-night for no discernible reason ...