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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

10 month old scared/hates bath and water

16 replies

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 19:34

I don't know why and I dont know what to do with him. We never had this problem with dd - she was a natural water babe from literally a day old.

DS hates the bath and screams and shakes if i put him in it. I have just filled a big tupperware bowl and sat cuddling him and tried to play with him, get his feet in etc but he started shaking and screaming and cuddling into me
Nothing has happened to make him scared. I don't know what to do with him - he needs a bath!! At the moment i generally wash him all over every day with wipes but he needs a proper bath.

Any tips?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

elsmommy · 27/04/2005 19:50

Have you tried taking him in the big bath with you?

Original poster

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 19:52

Not yet - it's difficult because dp is always at work so he's not here to get him in and out with me. I tried putting him in to play with dd who he abvsolutely adores - but he went ballistic!!

OP posts:

elsmommy · 27/04/2005 19:57

Have you tried one of those little bath seat things with the toys on the front?
Dd never liked hers but I've heard people say they're fantastic!

Original poster

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 19:59

That might be an idea. I get the impression he's scared of the water though - as soon as he sees it he gets shakey - even in the plastic bowl just now!! When i was drying him he kept looking around in horror to see if it was still there bless him!

OP posts:

elsmommy · 27/04/2005 20:01

Suppose you've gotta show him that its fun, not scary. Does he watch dd have a bath or does that frighten him?

Original poster

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 20:03

he hates it lol he hates going into the bathroom if he thinks he's going near the bath. It's really strange. If we'd dropped him in the bath or something i'd understand but its just weird!

OP posts:

Original poster

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 20:04

I tried to make it fun with the bowl tonight by playing and being silly but the second i put a bit of water on him he freaked!

OP posts:

Katemum · 27/04/2005 20:06

What about getting your daughter involved. Give her the tupperware bowl and have fun with her playing. Ignore him for a little while and just let him watch, curiosity may just get the better of him. It may take a while but it just might work.

Original poster

swiperfox · 27/04/2005 20:07

Might be an idea.....will give anything a try!

OP posts:

elsmommy · 27/04/2005 20:08

Maybe just put him in a little bit in the bath until he carms down and realises its not too bad.
But I'm not sure, cos you don't wanna make him worse...

Original poster

swiperfox · 28/04/2005 09:38

I tried to put his feet in the bowl of water last night but he pulled his legs up practically around his head and screamed lol

I spoke to dp about it this morning and he said "He's such a boy - we hate being washed" pmsl what a t**t!!

OP posts:

piffle · 28/04/2005 10:01

dd went through a phase like this, I cannot recall exact age but was sitting up and crawling at the time so about 10-12 mths
She is now a total water baby, we popped her in a bath sit up seat excellent idea too!
We just bathed her less regularly and were very gentle and calm and now she is the first one in the surf at the beach (she's 2.5 now)

tarantula · 28/04/2005 10:49

Apparently this weekend is going to be very hot so maybe take Katemums idea a bit further nad get out a paddling pool for your dd and then when ds sees how much fun it is he might want to join in.

Failing that Id just wash him with a facecloth and water till he gets older and only use a small bowl/jug of water.

you could also try buying him a set of stacking buckets and put small amounts of water into them so he can try pouring from one to the other etc. Sure your dd would love to help with that. Might be a game best played outside tho.

I wouldnt worry too much about ti tho as Im sure hell grow out of it with time.

Original poster

swiperfox · 28/04/2005 10:52

I thought about a paddling pool - we've got a fantastic one from elc but we cant use our garden just now Might put it up in the playroom just for the fun of ut!!!

OP posts:

Louise1980 · 28/04/2005 16:47

My ds2 got burnt after his second birthday party. It wasnt serious and was a COMPLETE accident.

He was then terrified on the bath for weeks. Screamed everytime ds1 mentioned it, wouldnt go in bathroom. I tried getting babybath back out, kitchen sink, big bowls etc.

This might sound cruel but I put a tiny bit of water in the bath, about 1inch, just so ther was some there. I made him get in, he screamed the house down tho and I got his bubbles out. It took his attention away from the fact that he was in the bath.

Took a few weeks before he had a propper bath and a wash but it did work.

I did also stop playing with the bubbles at anyother time. They became his bathtime treat. Even now I still have them in the cupboard just incase.

Its worth a try.

FLUM · 28/04/2005 16:48

Shower?

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