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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

bathing a toddler

15 replies

susiewoos · 28/04/2008 12:05

My ds aged 2y6months has becoming very scared of the bath, trying to wash him is very traumatic for both of us. Have tried using the kitchen sink but was just as bad.
Has anyone any ideas how we can overcome this problem. Have tried all his toys and games to no avail. Help

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MamaG · 28/04/2008 12:07

mellowma recommended that we had DS stand in a washing up bowl in the living room (on a towel!) and just gave him a good wash - it got him used to it and a fter a while, he was back in teh bath (and fine)

NatalieJane · 28/04/2008 12:07

What is it he doesn't like? Being 'on his own', the water, the soap, the flannel/sponge?

mishymoo · 28/04/2008 12:09

Have you tried bathing with him and let him wash you?

PixelHerder · 28/04/2008 12:20

Sympathies, my DD (21 months) hates it too and every hair washing session ends in such hideous screaming sessions the neighbours must think we are torturing her.

She's edgy and miserable as soon as it's apparent that a bath is about to happen - cheers up temporarily when playing with bath toys, but as soon as the flannel goes near her head or face the tears start. She only has one or two baths a week and I honestly don't know what the answer is. She is the same whether I'm in the bath with her or not.

One thing that does seem to help her though (at least up until the face/hair washing stage) is to let her hold the shower gel bottle and put it on the flannel so she is 'helping'. She will vaguely use the flannel herself but not in any useful kind of washing way. Hopefully they will grow out of it!

wabbit · 28/04/2008 12:30

It's already been said but think bathing with your ds may help as you're always there for cuddles... my ds loves baths but hates having his hair washed - don't know how I'd manage if I wasn't in the bath with him.

dd's alway's about with a big warm towel if he gets overwrought

EffiePerine · 28/04/2008 12:34

DS went though this when younger, I think it's pretty common. We just gave up on non-essential baths for a while and after a bit he was fine again

Now he has a tantrum when you get him out of the bath

hairtwiddler · 28/04/2008 12:34

We're going through this with DD. We had the bathroom done and so she had a 'wash down' for over a week. Now she screams 'no!' every time the bath is suggested, and insists on 'wash down'. Bathtime used to be fun, but not any more . You have my sympathies.
Bathing together hasn't worked for us. I'm thinking maybe a new and exciting bath toy.

Original poster

susiewoos · 28/04/2008 12:34

he seems fine when he baths with but becomes petrified when he has to go in the bath on his own, he will let me wash him down with a flannel at the sink but its not great now the warm weather is coming and he has been messing about in the garden.

OP posts:

blueshoes · 28/04/2008 12:46

susie, feel free to ease off on the baths as much as you can stand. There was a time when dd only washed her hair once a week! You can spongebath his bits (and more) during a nappy change - if your ds is still in nappies.

Alternatively, have a tried using a shower? My SIL has a gentle shower that she leaves hooked to the wall. Her reluctant dd is happy to slowly go under it because the water is so predictable. And it is fast with you having both hands.

It is a phase.

bergentulip · 28/04/2008 12:51

My DS1 went through a phase of seeming terrified of the bath. He was a little younger though, maybe 12-18mths?
What we did was to get some bubbles- as in the ones that come in a pot with a stick and you blow them into the air- because he loved those.
We'd try to fill the bathroom as much as possible, and then he'd come in all ready, and with bubbles going into the water, he started to get in quite happily.

2.6yrs may be a little young to try that though. Could always try it?

naughtynoonoo · 28/04/2008 12:57

had this problem with both ds and dd, dd had a major fear of plugholes and drains, thought she was gonna get sucked down them. We had a spare plastic storage container (large) and bathed them in this in the kitchen for a while until they got more confident, then would get in the bath with me or dh. DS didnt like sitting on the surface of the bath. We were having a sort out the other day and emptied a storage container and ds insisted he had his bath in it that night! Failing this hopefully the good weather will last a bit longer you can just put him out in the paddling pool - good luck

EachPeachPearMum · 28/04/2008 13:03

Maybe loads of bubbles?
This has helped with dd (2.3)- she loves bathtime now, though, her skin doesn't

tstar · 29/04/2008 08:00

Our 2 1/2 yr old went through this and I was quit worried, but now from the other side I can tell you it wont last.
He was worried about getting water on his face, in his hair, he hated bubbles and Im pretty sure it all started when his little sister did a poo in their bath one nigh.
We just never fussed over it, asked him ocasionally do you want a bath.
I started to shower him which didnt work as he hated the shower even more.
This may seem silly but we brought out the baby bath, he would quite happily sit in it while his little sister had the whole big bath to herself. It looked pretty crazy, but after a while we put the baby bath into the big bath.(water just in the little one)
One day my partner started to fill the big bath while he was in the baby bath which was in the big bath(Oh my god, I just realised how crazy this sounds), adventually without a big fuss the water from both bathes joined and we slipped out the baby bath( I put the baby bath away out of sight again and he was finally sitting in the big bath.
Im not recomending this,just know it is a phase and dont worry to much.

Acinonyx · 29/04/2008 08:11

Dd, 2.10 has just come out of a few months of this. We cut down the baths to not more than twice/week. Sometimes I got in with her but I didn't want to have to do that every time. I bought a dolls bath set and she baths her dolly while in the bath - that helped a lot. She also knows to tip her head right back and close her eyes for hair washing.

And then suddenly she loves the bath and wants one every day (although we've decided now it works best not more than every 3 days as she has some eczema). I didn't realise this was so common.

Northumberlandlass · 29/04/2008 12:50

We had a problem with DS when he was around 2 - it was mainly hair washing that started hysterics ! We then developed the 'magic towel' (just an old hand towel really). When I washed his hair I held it over his eyes and it stopped most of the water bothering him and getting into his mouth, which was the bit he hated.

We also used to bathe with him regularly and let him wash our hair, although it did get pretty chilly quickly !

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