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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

Help ... 2 year old suddenly frightened of bath and refusing to get in!

6 replies

MammaMeMe · 15/02/2009 20:08

My DD used to love nothing more than soaking everything in sight, including me, towels, walls, etc in her bath but has suddenly taken fright and is refusing to go in. She has a shower after swimming and went last week for the first time in ages ... there is a shower head over the bath so thought this might be the fright - any tips, please???

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

RustyBear · 15/02/2009 20:12

DS suddenly did this - he was a bit younger though, about 15 months I think. I just used to wash him sitting on a towel on my lap, which was actually easier as I was expecting DD at the time & didn't have to heave him in & out of the bath.

I didn't manage to get him back in until after DD was born & he saw her having fun in the bath. He was never very keen though & switched to having a shower as soon as he was old enough to manage it for himself.

Heated · 15/02/2009 20:12

Get in with her? Buy bath paints?

Original poster

MammaMeMe · 15/02/2009 20:40

Both me and DH tried getting in to encourage her in but no chance ... she threw in all her toys but wouldn't get too close.

OP posts:

oxocube · 15/02/2009 20:46

I think this is something lots of kids go through (all 3 of mine did at about the same age). If I remember correctly, I didn't try to force them but got let them see me in the bath a lot, eventually they would get in with me and then the whole fear just died away as quickly as it started. Seemed to last about 4 - 6 weeks.

Original poster

MammaMeMe · 15/02/2009 21:16

Thanks, will try patience and washing down. It's definitely the shower, as she looks up and cries 'raining, pouring' and desperately tries to get out. Her nanny takes her swimming so I'm not sure how she handles the hatred of showers ...

OP posts:

Lilypink · 17/02/2009 13:20

My dd goes through stages of hating baths. How I handle it is I get in first and splash about and then she will usually do too. I also ask her to choose a toy that she wants to bath so she does that first and then will usually get in herself. I then bath her really really quickly and don't bother with washing hair and get her out - and usually she will want to stay in - bit of reverse psychology!

You could use the toy to get over the shower phobia by saying look the 'toy' doesnt mind the shower being over the bath - look its not even on etc etc.

If showering at the pool is a problem just ask nanny to not bother with it - she can be wiped down with baby wipes.

Good luck and don't despair, just like everything else it is just a phase and she will get through it.

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