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

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

My little boy is scared of the bath

12 replies

MamaLazarou · 02/03/2011 12:40

He is 13 months old and had always adored bathtime, but now he runs away from it and screams when we put him in it. I don't think it's fear of being sucked down the plughole, as we don't usually let the water out til after we've put him to bed. Recently we have started using a bath emollient for his eczema, which makes the bath extra slippery, which might have something to do with it. Last night I got into the bath first, to show him it was fun, but he still didn't want to get in. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TryingVeryHard · 02/03/2011 15:22

Hi MamaLazarou, my son (now 2.5) went through a phase when he refused to have his bath (which he previously adored). It seems a bit early for your DS but it may just be toddler behaviour...
I tried to lure my DS with new bath toys, or by getting in the bath with him just like you did - sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't it was hit and miss!
The other thing I'd say is you may want to check the water temperature, if it's a bit hot and he has eczema he may be more sensitive (I'm no expert it's just a thought).
My DS's bath is normally at 33 degrees Celsius, any more he'll tell me it's too hot.
Hope this helps

soppypreggyloon · 02/03/2011 16:46

Don't know if you can do it with eczema but when ds did that we had a VERY bubbly bubble bath. He loves bubbles so was very happyto play in bubbles and didn't notice he was in the water IYSWIM! :)

moogalicious · 02/03/2011 16:47

Bath him in the kitchen sink. I did this with dd1.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

2catsand1rabbit · 02/03/2011 18:28

It's just a phase they go through. Just do it quickly. He'll soon love it again in a few months!

gastrognome · 02/03/2011 19:00

Hi,
My daughter went through the exact same thing at around that age.

We just carried on with the same bath time routine as always, didn't make a big thing of it and popped her in the water, trying to distract as much as possible with bath toys and games. Felt a bit horrible putting her in when she was sobbing, but didnt want her to think that having a bath was optional, even if bath times did only happen twice a week!

Fortunately the phase didnt last long :)

warthog · 02/03/2011 19:03

dd2 was like this and i spent a few weeks going in the bath with her. i also got a couple of new toys. she was fine then.

Original poster

MamaLazarou · 03/03/2011 08:30

Thanks, all, for your very helpful comments and suggestions. Will give them a try.

OP posts:

jaggythistle · 05/03/2011 16:53

My DS did this recently after he was ill and had a few emergency baths to wash sick off, which he stood up and screamed through :(.

We lined all his bath ducks/fish/frogs up along the side of the bath the next time and let him push them in - he was then giggling so much he was happy to get in beside them. He seems to love the bath again now and doesn't need tempted in :)

(Although he does sometimes line the toys up while he is in there now!)

He was about 15/16 months at the time.

toeragsnotriches · 05/03/2011 20:16

Great name!

He'll come through it eventually. DS1 did. I just gave the bath a break and gave the important bits a rub over with a flannel for a while. Then he forgot he was scared and it was all OK again.

Stangirl · 06/03/2011 06:43

My 13mo is doing exactly the same! I always bath with her but now she screams and tries to climb out quite desperately. She has every toy imaginable avialable. We just put up with the screaming and hope she grows out of it soon.

Scruffyhound · 06/03/2011 15:48

Can you not sit them in a bath seat then use a shower head? Im sorry my DS is 5yrs old I cant remember if he fitted in his bath seat at this age?! We had a few issues with the bath we ended up sitting him in his bath seat which we would warm up first a bit with a bit of warm water so the cold plastic did not alarm him! Then gently use the shower head on his feet then work our way up to his neck he seemed not to like it at first but once the water was on his feet and it was a nice temp he liked it! We did give him baths as well inbetween but when he seemed not too keen we tried the shower. Also with sick or a runny poo we just used the shower his bottom or top half if he had had a bath already. Dont know if any of this helps? I struggle to get my 5yr old boy in the shower sometimes I tell him he will be a stinky boy if he does not shower/bath he says he likes being stinky! I have had to turn everything into a race like bet you cant get undressed and in the shower before I sort this washing out or some chore I need to do upstairs?! Something like that I always let him win of course!

flamingtoaster · 06/03/2011 15:51

Get one of the large plastic storage boxes and bath him in that on the bathroom floor. After a week or so move the box into the bath (water only in the box, not in the bath), then over time add a little water round the box just to get him used to the idea. Eventually he will be happy not to have the box. It just takes time!

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread