One-year old suddenly terrified of bath

[cornflakes5]

Our one-year old has always enjoyed the bath, up until a week ago.

Last Tuesday she had her first full day at nursery, and came home a bit unsettled (though she'd had settling in days before that and had been fine). That night she trembled a bit in the bath, which seemed odd so we took her out quickly.

The next day she had a fever and was really unwell, and that night she screamed when we tried to put her in the bath. She was unwell for the next few days, and each night she violently resisted the bath with screaming and kicking. We then gave her a break for a few nights, and tried again last night - cue more terrified screaming.

I just don't understand! What has happened, and how do I help her get over this? We have lots of bath toys. We have tried me getting into the bath with her, which helps for only a few minutes. We have also tried various bath temperatures, and tried using the handheld shower head. But she just seems to hate/fear it!

Any thoughts welcome, thank you!

Anyone please?

Hi, I would just leave it for a while. She's been quite ill and this may have something to do with it. She probably needs to get rid of the association of feeling ill in the bath.

I'm sure it won't be permanent

Same happened with DS1 at that age. No illness/ nursery worries, just came out of the blue. Lasted a couple of months, during which time we did bath only every other day and got him in, washed him, and got him out. Eventually just stopped of his own accord.

My DS went through this. Turned out he was terrified of the smell of the bubblebath.

My lo went through this. Out of the blue went from loving a bath to terrified. No reason (that we could tell). We took to bathing him in the kitchen sink for a few months (which he was fine with) and then tried the bath again and he was fine. I actually missed bathing him in the sink because it was easier on my back and less effort lol!

Luckily it is not essential so you can avoid it for a while. Just do a strip wash on a big soft towel using a bowl and flannel.
She might like to paddle her feet in the water at the end.
Lots of toddlers go through this fear.

This happened to us. We bought a babyway foldable bath - it was a great purchase! Our DC was much happier in there, we used it for 6 months or so until she got over her fear of the bath and it’s still had lots of uses since - great for taking away with us, messy play tub, water play in the garden etc.

Thank you everyone. How long did this stage last for you all - I think a PP said a few months?? 😱

Mine did this! We just had to go with screaming baths for about 4 months (the shower was even worse) and then she decided she loved it again. I tried everything to make it nice again but it was only really time that fixed it. Funnily enough, she was still happy in the pool. Toddlers are basically insane.

My DS did exactly this at 1, went from loving the bath to screaming blue murder at the sight of it for no reason at all.

We tried everything to get him to like it again, ultimately a few weeks of strip washes didn't hurt him.

We made it fun in the end. We let him put his swim shorts and wellies on and splash around, loads of toys etc. We didn't force him to sit down or have a wash. He just gradually started to like his baths again once he associated it with being fun.

Ours did this too. There was no reason whatsoever that we could see. We'd just plonk her in she'd refuse to sit down so we'd wash her hair and body then get her out. She'd cry all the way through. It went on for a while can't remember how long then she was ok again