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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

15 mth old sudden bath phobia/ hysterics

13 replies

honeyapple · 11/02/2009 09:38

hiya
My 15 mth DS2 has suddenly developed a really bad bath phobia- and I cant remember any event that might have caused this- ie a slip/ water too hot etc...

It has got so bad even being in the bathroom with no clothes on and me attempting to wash him with a flannel causes him to scream/ shake and try to run away. I mean he is not even in the bath. He won't stand in the bath let alone sit in it. I tried the sink last night but that was just as bad- absolute screaming and tears and I felt so mean trying to wash him and he was just clinging on to me and crying . He is in every other way a very outgoing little boy- totally independant. I tried distracting him with toys- giving him the flannel to wash himself but no good.

Anyone had similar experience? Will he grow out of it?

Thanks a lot!

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TheArmadillo · 11/02/2009 09:41

It's a common problem along with refusing to sit down in the bath and yes he will grow out of it.

Carry on strip washing him and if you can letting him play in an empty bath (if he will). A new bath toy can be encouraging or something like bath paints/crayons so they can make a mess.

Just go gently and he'll get over it. THough it is frustrating.

EsmeWeatherwax · 11/02/2009 09:46

My dd went through this at this age too, refused to get in the bath, and if she did, wouldn't sit down. She would occasionally consent to getting in the bath with me, could you maybe try that a few times? She grew out it quite quickly, helped mostly by Tomy Octopals I think these days you need a crowbar to get her out the bath!

Original poster

honeyapple · 11/02/2009 10:18

thank you

it is SO frustrating cos he used to LOVE his bath time- didnt want to get out- has loads of cool bath toys-

Esme- think I will try getting in with him (although probably not for a night time bath as I have 2 other children to sort out)

I wonder what it is that caused the phobia?

OP posts:

Milkmade · 11/02/2009 10:43

My dd (17 months) has just started doing this two weeks ago (after a bad case of nappy rash that obviously stung in the water) - but seems ok with showers still - is that an option for you? She will also still get in the bath if I do too. Or what about if he gets in with one of his siblings - would that help?

Original poster

honeyapple · 11/02/2009 10:53

thanks milkmade

Tried him in with his sister but he still screamed and tried to hurl himself over the side of the bath to safety. If the shower is on he gets even more agitated . I will try having a bath with him this weekend when DP is about.

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GeneralAngst · 11/02/2009 10:56

dd1 went through this at about 2 to 3, but had no probs about sea, pool or other water. One day in a winter downpour I found her standing under the freezing overflowing downpipe outside with glee, but nice warm bath/shower? No way.

Dd2 loved baths but instead had such bad excema I found it better not to bath her so much, it made it worse- and guess what? they don't really need all that much bathing. I was sorry I had worried about it with dd1, then!

If swimming is tolerable, that gets them pretty clean and the different distracting non-bathroom environment seemed to make the pool shower a bit more ok with my dd.

LouieStrumpet · 11/02/2009 11:53

Hi honeyapple, my ds (2) just went through this a couple of months ago. He had always loved his bath and then for some unknown reason (like you no slips or too hot/cold water incidents) he just started screaming and crying.

This went on for about two months and so I just started giving him a bath every other night and washing his hair once or twice a week so it wouldn't be so traumatic.

And then one day he decided he wanted a bath, and now he loves them again so it's probably just a phase. You could try a new toy or lots of bubbles too, this helped my ds.

Original poster

honeyapple · 11/02/2009 12:16

thanks everyone

I know little ones dont need too much washing- I'm not really worried about him being grubby! But it is just a shame cos he used to enjoy the bath so much and it was a nice ending to the day.

I think actually he started with having an issue with his hair being washed which has just developed into a general bath fear.

louie- good to know your LO eventually grew out of the problem

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Timeisablindguide · 11/02/2009 12:18

Yes - my ds was the same and he grew out of it (although it took him til he was 3 to be ok with us washing his hair!). Stick with it and just go gently! (My dh thought it best to just chuck the water on him so he got used to it - it did NOT help!)

qumps · 11/02/2009 12:35

happened here too. i found going swimming helped to remind ds that water is fun. and daddy in the bath. now 20mo and still has the occassional freak out but on the whole ok.

Hanifah · 11/02/2009 17:21

I had same problem around that age or maybe a bit later - like 18mths...all of a sudden ds hated bath and acted like I was torturing him...I just got it over as quickly as I could with him standing and crying the whole time...bought some new toys and slowly he calmed down and stopped all the fuss...then I noticed hed sit down again and even play a bit...some brand new toys encouraged him and now at 22/23 mths he ADORES bath time and demands "bubble" about twice a day...bath time is his favorite part of the day. Hang in there...its probably just a stage..there was no reason for my ds's sudden dislike either!

Original poster

honeyapple · 12/02/2009 18:42

well a bit of a success tonight- I decided to get in bath first and DS2 played in the bathroom- throwing toys into the bath- then I managed to get him to sit on my lap in the bath- was crying a bit and seemed a bit scared and anxious but after a while of me singing and quacking with toy ducks his confidence grew and he started to enjoy being in the bath! Even so much that I got out and he stayed in the bath playing! Really happy but hope I dont have to always get in the bath first! Hopefully he has got a bit of confidence back.

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johana · 12/02/2009 21:16

I have just posted about this problem today! How weird! My ds is 12 mths and has always adored his baths until last week when he suddenly went hysterical when I tried to get him in. He's been like this ever since. He's happy enough playing round the bath and watching the new toys in the bath but when it comes to getting in.....different story

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