behavioural or health issue?

[idano]

hi, i have a 14 month old daughter who, until three nights ago, was very happy at bathtime. She sat in the water, played with her toys and i often had to call time to end the evenings ablutions.

however three nights ago she started freaking out when i tried to get her to sit in the water; initially i thought it was just a developmental thing- she is super keen on walking everywhere at the moment and i assumed it was part of her whole 'i am toddler' behaviour. although i am not keen on her standing in the bath for reasons of slippage etc i was not especially concerned.

however this evening she got into the bath happily until she went to sit down, unprompted, by herself- as soon as she did she started crying. she stood back up but did not calm down and although i was trying to reassure her she in fact got worked up to the point of making herself vomit. she only calmed down when i took her out of the bath.

she has not had any sort of accident in the bath which would make her frightened. i use a special baby bathwash that i have used since she was small so i don't think it's a reaction to that. the water temperature is fine and the same as always. as the issue appears to be when her bottom hits the water i have checked her bottom and vaginal area and there is no rash or sores or anything that could apparently cause her pain by exposure to the water. once she is out of the bath she calms down, she shows no indication of being uncomfortable during the day/ night/ nappy change/ anytime she is not in the bath.

does anyone have any idea what this might be? initially i wondered if she had had some kind of a bath related nightmare, but now i'm wondering if i should take her to a doctor.

i would appreciate any advice in the meantime.

also- if i don't reply quickly, i am sorry- my timetable is a bit out of control at the moment and even when i get time to check i don't always get time to write.

thank you.

You've covered all of the possible explanations I was coming up with. I'd just say, go at her pace. Get her out if she wants to get out. Reduce the frequency of the baths and see how you go.

My DD2 refused to sit down a few times after I ran a slightly warmer than usual (not hot) bath. It might have been something as innocuous as that, but just see how she goes.

thanks nigglewiggle. she is also teething like an american werewolf in london, not sure if that would affect anything [grasping at straws]. just so long as im not being a negligent parent by not rushing her to a&e!

I wouldn't think so. IME teething does make them cantankerous in the extreme, so that would certainly explain it. These phases tend to pass, but that doesn't make them any less bewildering .

Could she have hurt her bottom or her cocyx somewhere else? It might not feel painful sitting on a soft chair or beanbag but it may hurt when she sits in a hard bath?

Ann-Marie

hi there, just reporting back from the front...

and tonight, with some minor distractions of bubble blowing and book reading, she happily sat down in the bath unprompted and in the end had to be removed because it was going cold!

they are little mysteries aren't they?

thank you both for your advice/ support re my anxiety.

Just a thought is she constipated? My dd has chronic constipation and when she is suffering from a bout of it she hates to sit down in the bath, constipation nurse said its cos the warm water makes on the anus makes them feel like they are going to poo