Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

Original poster

Bath time nightmare

8 replies

nicnee · 03/12/2004 21:02

Hi, DS is nearly 5 months old and used to love his bath. He has been in a bedtime routine of bath-feed-bed since birth, but now he gets tired in the evening and cries on undressing, during his bath, or on dressing (and I mean really cries). It seems as though he is anticipating his feed and bed, but does not want to wait. I have tried bathing him earlier, but then it either takes ages to settle him to sleep or he settles, but wakes within an hour.
I spoke to my HV, but she thought it was wonderful that he was used to his routine. I dread the early evening bath battle now when I used to love bathtime with DS.
Any ideas??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OhTickleTownofBethlehem · 03/12/2004 21:10

not sure, but maybe he's growing a lot at the mo, and is just hungry? He knows he's going to be fed soon, and just wants it...
is he breast or bottle - could you slip in an extra feed a little before bathtime, or would that send him off to sleep?

cardigansarenotjustforxmas · 03/12/2004 21:14

Perhaps cut out the bath before bed - let him enjoy a play in the bath during the daytime when he's wide awake & would really enjoy it. best wishes

Original poster

nicnee · 03/12/2004 22:34

Thanks for the advice.
Tickle town - DS is bottle fed now, I have recently stopped breast feeding, but this problem started before I gave up. He does seem hungry after his bath, but he has his tea at 5pm, and bath at 7pm, so there is no room for an extra feed. He is a big lad and seems to be on a continuous growth spurt.
Cardigans - I thought about bathing in the day, and just washing DS at night, but I was worried about breaking a routine he has been in since birth. Mind you it may work, I have sponge bathed DS on the days where he was extra tired and he was better with that. I may try it.

OP posts:

snowmoon · 05/12/2004 22:27

Hi nicnee. I'm in a very similar situation. My DS is 4 months and 1 wk old and used to enjoy his bath. But recently he has started crying AFTER his bath when I'm dressing him. And about two days ago he started crying DURING the bath. I too think it's because he is too tired and just wants to go to sleep rather than being undressed, put in water, etc. I have thought about trying to bath him during the day too but, like you, I'm reluctant to break his routine. However I think I may give it a go and see if he cries also during the day. At least that would let me know whether the time of the day makes any difference.

Sorry not really much help. Would like to know how you get on.

FimboCLAUS · 05/12/2004 23:15

Hi, I had this problem with my ds who is one on Thursday, but I kept perserving, as he too had been in the bath/feed/bed routine, eventually as he got older he grew out of it and now loves splashing around screaming with his 6 year old sister. I know the extreme crying can be soul destroying as you want to do the best for your baby but believe me it does get better through time. Good Luck HTH xx

Original poster

nicnee · 07/12/2004 20:30

Thanks fimboclaus and snowmoon
It's good to know I'm not the only one with this problem.
I have not yet tried to bath DS in the day, simply because he is very heavy and strong and I get a bit worried bathing him when on my own, as I struggle to hold him with one hand, especially when he is upset and pushes himself back.
I had bought a bath seat, but he got stuck in it He's a big lad and as we lifted him out his legs got stuck, which made him scream even more. I then bought a seat that has a front part that drops down, but it is still a tight fit and he didn't like it.
I'm still debating whether to change his routine or persevere. I have made several changes to his routine lately, (giving up breastfeeding, changing the time of breakfast) so I don't want to upset him too much.
I may give the daytime bath a go at the weekend when DH is around, will let you know how it goes snowmoon.

OP posts:

marysavannah · 08/12/2004 07:41

hey

id suggest sitting him in the bath with his cup/bottle if he can hoild it, if he holds it in one hand give him a bath toy in other, might keep him occupied- or depending on age try a bath seat with toys attached from argos!!! thats what im gonna try, but my daughter screams when she gets near the bath, she screams all they way thru her bath even when if been in it with her. shes terrified- can anyone give me tips to combat that?

nailpolish · 08/12/2004 08:03

we solved the bath problem by letting dd get in the bath without water, then filling up the bath with her in it (she got to help) i know its quite dangerous with the hot water etc, we had to be careful and put the cold on full blast then top up with hot with her away from the running hot, but it worked. she also got to take in a variety of dolls who also 'needed their bath'.

we dont do this anymore because she got bored of it all! she now helps bath her little sister and they bath at the same time. we also put dance music on in the background and her daddy shaves at the same time in the sink which she creases up watching for some reason

Flip