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Behaviour/development

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

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Original poster

12m old daughter suddenly terrified of the bath....?

6 replies

stanley1000 · 21/04/2007 12:06

for the last three days as soon as we put her in she starts screaming and climbs out and i can't work out why. i've tried letting her sit and watch her twin brother splashing about before i put her in, but that doesn't seem to help.

does anyone have any suggestions on how to make her like the bath again?

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RustyBear · 21/04/2007 18:25

My DS did this, but I can't be much help I'm afraid, as he didn't have a bath until DD was born, over a year later & then he wanted to get in with her.
The only thing I can say is that she doesn't actually need to have a bath - I used to wash DS sitting on a towel on my lap at the basin. As soon as we moved to a house with a shower, he started having showers instead - I don't think he's had a bath since & he's 19 now!

3littlefrogs · 21/04/2007 18:52

There have been so many threads on this topic. TBH I think it is a normal phase of development. It is alarming, but the kindest thing to do is just to give her a strip wash, sponge her hair, and play it down, she will get over it.

kay26 · 21/04/2007 19:24

Haven't had experience with this myself but a friend of mine with twins went through this. She was advised to get some 'Little People' (think they are FisherPrice toys) and make a big show of bathing them and pretending they were really enjoying it. Sounds a bit crazy but she says it worked a treat and the next night her twins were back in the bath and loving it. Worth a shot?!!!

Original poster

stanley1000 · 21/04/2007 23:41

thanks ladies. will sponge her for a while and see how she goes!

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RedFraggle · 22/04/2007 20:14

My dd (23 months ) has been going through this stage. I bought her a fishing net toy from Mothercare and let her play with it when standing next to the bath. the little fish drifted to the other side of the bath and she couldn't reach them, so I just said "would you like to get in so you can carry on fishing?! she did and we have been fine for the last 4 bath nights. (fingers crossed it continues). So maybe as Kay26 suggested try to get a fun bath toy?

emankcin · 22/04/2007 20:15

why not try a paddling pool whilst the weather is nice. to get her used to the water.

swimming lessons may also be a good isdea

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