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18 month old bath phobia

2 replies

RayRae19 · 03/01/2019 23:37

So I was wondering if anyone else has a toddler who has always loved taking baths and the water and then one day just decided they HATE it?!

I have seen threads in the past but foolishly didn't take much notice as my LO loved baths so much I didn't think it was ever something that would happen...
But it did, literally overnight. She screams like she's being murdered (to the point where I started to actually worry that the water might somehow be hurting her...but on logical reflection it definitely isn't), claws and scrambles to get out of the bath like she's possessed. It's been going on for a month.

If this happened to you, how long did it last?
At the moment I am taking her in the shower with me which she also hates. I'm only doing it every 3 days as she gets so upset and I'm not sure that's helpful (but we do top and tail each night to keep things clean). She's never really liked the shower though, we only used it at the swimming pool, so I'm not sure it's helping but I don't really have another option and at least I can hold her to comfort her.

Before I resorted to the shower I tried special bubbles and even glow sticks in the bath, new bath toys, getting in the bath with her. I've also been doing water play away from the bath to try and remind her how fun it is, but she seemed worried I was going to try and dip her in!
I left it 3 weeks and then tried the bath again, but still the same reaction.

Physically I can't see why it would hurt her, she hasn't got/had any open cuts or anything and I always have a thermometer in the bath to check the temp.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Babney · 04/01/2019 09:27

Yes this rings true.

My ds was petrified, we figured out that if we covered the shower with a towel he was OK but still very wary of getting in the bath.

Just like yours he loved the bath & then suddenly I found myself googling was this normal to be suddenly terrified but it seems it is.

Best of luck

Di11y · 06/01/2019 14:59

DD slipped and went under one time at MIL, had to reintroduce gradually. Suggest start by playing in the bath together, without water. Then small amount of water and just cuddle on your lap in the water without pressure to go in the water. Assume you have a non slip bath mat and new bath toys? No bubbles, not too much excitement. And not necessarily at bedtime either.

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