can't get 16mo to sit in bath seat

[WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes]

I've been using a bath seat for my 16mo dd but she can get out of it and the last few nights she's insisted on standing up in it. I'm sure this isn't safe so tonight I abandoned the seat and just put her in a really shallow amount of water. She loved it but she crawled after a toy duck, slipped, and managed to inhale water - she was fine but not a happy bunny and it scared the c**p out of me.

So advice then - do non-slip bath mats work? Should I go back to the seat even though she won't sit it in? Or any other suggestions?

DD (2.2) went through a stint of being terrified of the bath for no reason I could ever work out a few months back. We took it really easy, played in the bath together with no water in it, eventually progessed on to a teeny bit of water, and always with me sharing the bath with her. Bribing with chocolate helped overcome the last bit of reluctance. I always put the step next to the bath so that she could get in and out of her own volition, too... not sure that works for everyone but it worked for me.

Good luck!

PS: It took us several weeks to overcome her phobia, mainly cause we come home so late during the week that it was only really feasible to do a totally unhurried "play in the bath" session at weekends. Fortunately, DD loves swimming and has always been fine with the showers at the swimming pool. Taking her every week meant she didn't get too dirty while we got her over her fear of the bathtub!

Thanks for advice. I did get in with her yesterday and dh was there too playing with toys. Hadn't thought of doing it without any water in - will try that today. She's very happy to be in the bathroom itself and will peer over the edge of the bath without any problem so it's only being inside the bath that she doesn't like. Will also try playing with water in kitchen - still have an old baby bath somewhere so will try paddling in that.

Ds2 also goes nuts with the bath on occasion although most of the time he loves it and shouts when you get him out. we have also had a couple of slipping under the water occaions - I have got to him really quickly both times and hugged him and put him back.

I agree with the poster that she could probably sense your panic (and I don't blame you - I can vividly remember ds2 on his back under the water, his eyes wide with fright and his mouth opening and closing like a fish just before i dragged him out ).

Good suggestions from muppet too about trying to get her used to water and baths in a playful non-threatening type way.

Good luck! x

Ds2 also goes nuts with the bath on occasion although most of the time he loves it and shouts when you get him out. we have also had a couple of slipping under the water occaions - I have got to him really quickly both times and hugged him and put him back.

I agree with the poster that she could probably sense your panic (and I don't blame you - I can vividly remember ds2 on his back under the water, his eyes wide with fright and his mouth opening and closing like a fish just before i dragged him out ).

Good suggestions from muppet too about trying to get her used to water and baths in a playful non-threatening type way.

Good luck! x