Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Flip

Original poster

Bathtime upset

9 replies

Manfwood · 06/07/2003 21:13

My 19 month old DS has in the last few weeks taken a violent dislike to having a bath - which he used to love. He also doesnt like swimming so much either (has been having lessons since 9 months old). He has got a bit better this week - hates the thought of getting in and is really clingy but once in there (has been in with DH last couple of nights) has quite a good time. think it may be the old hairwashing problem but not sure how to resolve this as during the week dont really want to get in the bath with him every night! Have tried the obvious trying not to get water in his hair etc and using bubbles and that is fine once he is in but he has a real paddy at the thought of getting in and doesnt want to take his clothes off etc

Any advice please.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

Manfwood · 06/07/2003 21:15

Whoops - obviously meant trying not to get water in his eyes - doh!

OP posts:

Oakmaiden · 06/07/2003 21:50

why not just not wash his hair every time? Little ones don't need their har washed every day - my ds hates having his hair washed and I'm slightly ashamed to admit that sometimes a couple of weeks goes by without my washing it. I just hate the fuss that goes with it, and hate to spoil what otherwise would be an enjoyable evening's end, so we tend to skip hair washing unless it looks particularly grimy.... People tell me how nice his hair looks, though.

twiglett · 06/07/2003 22:19

message withdrawn

boyandgirl · 07/07/2003 14:04

Have you tried washing him with the shower attachment, or removing the showerhead to use just the hose part of it? Or you could use a bright plastic jug or beach bucket. At this aage there's no need to use soap at all - unless ds has got particularly grubby with paint or food etc, which could be washed off separately.

Original poster

Manfwood · 07/07/2003 14:34

Thanks for your suggestions - we dont wash Ds hair every time (although we used to) he is in the bath but this doesnt seem to have made much of a difference although he now enjoys it more once he is in it is just getting him in in the first place. We actually gave him a bath Sat and Sun evening in the hope that he would remember from the previous night that he had enjoyed it - didnt work when it came to getting him in though although he was fine once in there! We have a power shower which is very loud so this doesnt work as usually scares him. Usually just use flannel to get him wet and sometimes small cup to get some of the water off. Also tried singing to him while rinsing his hair (I'm a little starfish and twinkle twinkle) which get sung to him when swimming on his back at swimming lessons.

Will let you know how we get on next time...

OP posts:

breeze · 08/07/2003 07:45

Ds also went through a stage of hating the bath. I did get in with him for a few nights, then I was easily replaces by some bath toys, wind up one and little cups that he can pour water into. Also asda do some lovely animal stickers that stick to the side of the bath, under £1 and now I have to fight to get ds out.

webmum · 08/07/2003 14:57

manofwood

ds has been through several phases of love&hate with baths, and each time I woulodn't be able to tell you why did the problem come back again or why was it resolved....very annoying in the hate phase, I must admit, but now I know it will pass so don't worry about it so much anymore, but I do cut down on the numebr of baths when we're in the hate phase!!! (just to save me the hassle!)

Sorry if I couldn't eb more helpful but as DD grows up I find the most of her phases are just that and my behaviour doesn't have that much effect on it but they do go away eventually (just be replaced by another even more annoying).. Godd luck though!!

Original poster

Manfwood · 09/07/2003 09:24

Just to add that Ds had bath and hairwash last night on his own in the bath with no tears or tantrums. Not sure why he was OK last night - got him undressed in different room and then just took him in an plonked him in - bit like old times! Also let us lie him down to wash his hair so we didnt get water in his eyes etc. All in all much more relaxing experience - lets hope it stays that way!

Thanks for all your tips

OP posts:

katierocket · 09/07/2003 09:58

we had exactly the same thing around christmas (DS is now 22 months). He had swimming lessons from 6 months, loved the bath etc and then all of a sudden, completely out of the blue, he took a violent dislike of the bath, cried, screamed etc, properly upset about it.

I just ended giving him a flannel wash, then got a washing basin, let him splash in that on the bathroom floor, then put it in the bath and after a few days of trying he agreed to get in the bath with no water in it but with the basin, then next night I put a tiny amount of water in the bath and eventually he was fine again.

Sounds a bit of a faff but to be honest he was genuinely upset about the bath and there was no way i was going to force him. I think they get these sudden fears and you know if they are trying it on or if they are being serious. He's fine now and loves the bath again.

Flip