Crying after bath time

[thannyflaps]

Hi all,

I'm 7 months into parenthood and so far every time we bath our DS, he cries when he is about to get out and then cries almost hysterically for the following half an hour or so.

I can't seem to figure out what's causing this. I've tried things like putting the central heating up but no luck.

Any ideas what makes him so unhappy after a bath?

Fanny Flaps

Hi fanny! Lol, well I do remember all of mine being like this. I figured it was probably the lovely stimulating sensation of the bath and then being taken out, possibly cold, ready for a feed, tired etc. I did notice a difference letting them have a milk feed directly before going in the bath.

All kids seem to do this. Ours outgrew this by... 1 I think? They now cry if I take them out of the bath when they’re not ready to get out, but it doesn’t last long.
Prepping a warm towel to receive them in post bath made me feel better, even if it didn’t help DC
Maybe have a teddy come in the bathroom with you and be there “waiting” for DC to come out? Anything is worth a shot...

A guess would be overtiredness? Have you tried moving the whole shabang half an hour earlier?

Does it happen if it’s a daytime bath?

It's probably just that bath time corelates with the witching hour.

I'd second moving everything a bit earlier.

Yes same here. Milk feed before and after bath. I definitely think it’s leaving the lovely warm bath!
Could you get a toy that the little one can have for when they leave the bath? As in this toy is only for after the bath and at no other point. It might be a nice distraction?

Over tiredness? try and shift it all forward

Agreed. Feed beforehand and warm room and towel for getting out straight onto your chest for snuggles an followed by a lovely massage with some lotion (if they tolerate that sort of thing). Sometimes they're just not in the mood like ourselves 😂😂

Mine did this until they were toddlers when it switched to absolutely loving bath time and hating getting out
I would try to top and toe them whenever possible, or I would warm their towel on the radiator

Both of mine did the same so I used to get oh to be ready with a lovely warm bottle of milk. Wrapped them in the warm towel with a hood, then a fleece blanket and on me for a feed. By the time they were finished feeding, they'd be dry in the towel and I could them dress them while they were half asleep!

Thanks guys. Great advice. I might try and shift the bath forward half an hour and feed him directly afterwards. Fingers crossed this will work as my ear drums can't take any more!!

Thanks all x

Fanny (Flaps)