Toddler is terrified of water

[najs89]

My little one has always hated water. Even as a newborn they would scream the entire time at bath time. We gave up with the bath at about 8 months as the screaming was unimaginable. Started showering with them which is still extremely hard given they are much stronger now but at least we can get the shower done faster. I've never met a child with such a fear of water. They are now almost 2 and we are wanting to get them used to water as my older children love swimming. Any tips of getting them used to water would be greatly appreciated? TIA :D

Are they able to tell you what scares them about it?

@MolliciousIntent unfortunately not they just say No No No when they see the bath/shower. Then the screaming, kicking and crying starts.

How about a play sink with working tap? That way it's only a little water and he can control it himself.

With the hot weather have you tried a shallow paddling pool to get them used to splashing in the water?

try bath time as play time- plenty of toys, foamy soap, bubbles. Not about getting clean just for having a play.

Water table outside to see water can be fun.. Let her wear a swim suit outside then maybe a swimsuit in the bath. Don't put the plug in just have running taps to start. Offer bubbles to a very shallow bath. Or bath crayons in a few inches of water. Bath fishing set?

Could you start with one of those water activity tables for toddlers? Get them playing with water without the concern of being submerged in it? And work you way up to having a sprinkler in the garden to run through over the next few months?

I know it's a long way from what you asked but I think you might have to start small and at least get through the happy to have a bath stage before you consider swimming.

My son was a bit like this. I’m sure someone will be along with useful experience as well but we were able to gradually teach him to be safe & have fun in water by actually increasing the amount of times we did it. Unfortunately by swapping bath for shower you might have done the opposite of what you want and made him feel his fear was warranted. I don’t know. But I had a boy who was scared of water and this is what we did:
We began by filling the tub with only a little bit of water. We put all kinds of fun bath toys in there. We put a costume on and got in ourselves and started playing with the bath toys. Step one is getting him interested in what you’re doing. Then we’d give him one of the bath toys and show him what to do with it. Once he was comfortable playing with that, we’d ask him to join us to play. It took time but you can see where I’m going with this. It needs to be a daily occurrence and it could take a while to break this fear but that’s okay. Eventually you will be able to take him to a swimming pool. :) I would also suggest going to places with those shallow water sprinklers etc that kids can play in. Places where the water doesn’t go deep and he can run in and out whenever he wants. It really is baby steps but eventually he will get it.

My daughter hated water for a while. She'd go in the bath but not swimming pools or paddling pools.

Last summer we joined a leisure centre so I could take her swimming every week. For ages she'd just sit on the side. Gradually she sat and dipped a toe in.

Then a week or so later she sat with her legs in the water.

Then one day she decided she wanted to show the life guard that she could go in the water. The lovely guard watched her as she left me lift her in and he cheered and applauded her.

There was no stopping her then. She loves the pool now.

I wanted to add that I eventually realised that the biggest fear was having head submerged for my son, so we didn’t force that part - we just played in water. It’s currently associated with negative things for your toddler and if you break those associations I’m sure eventually they will understand water doesn’t have to be bad.