Suddenly afraid of bath

[PandaMa]

I have a 2.5 year old who LOVED his bath. As of the last 4 nights he has screamed and cried real tears and literally hidden his bath towel when I tell him we are going for a bath.

We've tried toys, bubbles, playing Fireman Sam with the shower but he just seems so afraid. I've had to get the baby bath back out - which funnily enough he sat in all himself and had a great time.

I can't think of anything that's triggered this

Has anyone else experienced this? How long did it last? What did you do to help?

Yeh my LO had similar when she was a bit younger about 16MO. No real idea why but she got over it really quick and is back to loving her bath now at agw 2.5. Maybe offer to shower him instead but explain that being clean is not optional lol and that he has to do something. How articulate is he? Might he be able to tell you what it is and negotiate a plan? I'd do this outside of the bath time when he's calm and take on board what he says but take it with a massive pinch of salt (they don't half come out with some corkers at this age ) We got over it pretty quick by just getting on with it and being sympathetic but not making a big deal of it tbh x

He's only really started to say words- late talker, no sentences as of yet. I'm trying to not force the issues incase I make it worse. But maybe he might understand me better than I think so explaining a few times during the day may help!

If he's enjoying the baby bath, let him use that. Then when he's ready use the big bath.. may be get in together. Let him forget this association he's made first.

This happened with DS. He was about 18m at the time, it was a phase and passed within a couple of weeks. He loves the bath now at 2.