6 month old DS HATES baths, how do I get him over it?

[BelinaTheChicken]

and I mean he really hates them. He's such a happy baby, I keep the run up nice and chilled, let him have a roll on the bed, DS1 comes and plays with him etc. Then I lower him into the bath and I may as well be dipping him into acid, he noise he makes is incredible! It used to upset DS1, but he seems immune now.

I really want to sort it out. I was limiting baths to when he really needed them to minimise the screaming, but he's on solids now and eats mainly by shoving food facewards and hoping a bit goes in, so he really needs a bath everyday. Any suggestions? I had such a lovely bedtime routine with DS1, really nice and chilled, now anyone listening would think we were re enacting the Texas chainsaw massacre as a lovely bedtime story

DS1 went through a stage like that - it helped if DH got in the bath with him, lots of toys and lots of bubbles. And not too much water.

Do you take him swimming? I would do lots of play around water as well, sounds like it may have become a habit and although would be a bit of a faff could you bath him at a different time of day for a while.

Another thought you bath with him!

We used to bath together, both of mine liked being held in the water.

Are you sure it's not too hot/cold for him?

Check the temperature and which bath products, if any, you are using. If you're using bubbly things and he has nappy rash it could really sting.

Other than that, second take him swimming. DS hated baths but as soon as I started taking him swimming he relaxed completely.

He is absolutely fine in the swimming pool, doesn't even mind getting splashed in the face.

Oblivious I always check the water with my elbow, then have a crisis of confidence when he starts screaming, but it's definitely not too hot, possibly slightly too cool if anything.

He is currently in the little bath that hooks over the top of the bath, so maybe the big bath with me would be better. How do you cope with getting him in and out? I'm always scared I'll drop him when he's wet and wriggling. DS1 is at nursery in the afternoons, so maybe will try and do baths then for a while. Then try and get the two of them in the bath together. I'm on my own at bedtime most nights, so doing it at a different time is probably best, but a pain in the arse as the afternoons are when I get all my housework done

I use oilatum as he has a bit of eczema. He has an ear infection at the moment, is it still ok to take him swimming? He hasn't been in a couple of weeks due to various bugs, but might be a good time to take him more often

Taking him with an ear infection might be painful for him so I wouldn't.

I used to bathe with DS and the way I would do it was to bring his changing mat and towel into the bathroom, lay the towel on the changing mat ready to put him straight on and wrap him up, have a bath then reach over and put him on the changing mat, wrap him up in the towel and then get out myself.

have a water play session in the sink during the day instead of a bath, then a lick and a promise with a flannel at night?l

Maybe have the water a bit warmer. My DS always liked it warmer than all the books recommended (we had blue-murder screaming otherwise). Not too hot obviously, but warm. Also make sure that bathroom itself is nice and warm (or have a warmed towel) for when he comes out.

I would second bathing with him at least until he's a bit calmer.

AKMD I thought it would be a bad plan, DS1 has only just got over a really nasty one that took three weeks to clear, which is why we haven't been going recently. Think I will do that with the changing mat on the floor, and the bonus is I don't have to try and get up before they wake to have a shower myself!

Joan good idea about water play, I could fill a washing up bowl and do it in the living room as I have laminate floors. Hopefully the weather will start improving and I can get the paddling pool out

I think dd went through this.I bought a bath toy that blows bubbles and sings songs,i think its v tec and you can get it in the early learning centre.It does pass though she is 13 months now and keeps trying to climb out