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DD terrified of the bath

13 replies

redfox14 · 10/01/2024 19:22

My DD is 10 months old and up until a couple of weeks ago, absolutely loved the bath. She would sit in it happily for a good 10/15 minutes and was never fussed about getting her head wet or anything like that.

A couple of weeks ago she was splashing like usual and some water went in her eyes and all over her face, she got panicky and a bit teary, we quickly got her out and dried and she calmed down quickly enough.

We thought she would just forget about it, but ever since then she absolutely hates being bathed. The moment we put her in it, she screams and thrashes around and tries to climb out. She gets really upset and worked up, so we literally dip her in, wash her quickly and take her out in the space of about 30 seconds.

My husband has tried showering with her and having the shower head really low so it’s not going anywhere near her face/eyes, but she still got really upset. We only have a shower and baby bath, otherwise we would have tried sitting in the bath with her, but we’re worried she’s scared of water now completely.

Does anyone have any tips? We are persevering with bathing her but just trying to make it as quick as possible because she gets so upset and we feel awful, but at the same time need to wash her! We’ve cut baths down to twice a week. We also used to go swimming with her every now and then but haven’t done that either since Bathgate!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ohmygolli · 11/01/2024 06:45

Do you use bath toys?
have you tried getting in with her?

romdowa · 11/01/2024 06:48

When my son had an aversion to his baby bath we stuck him in the kitchen sink 🤣 he loved it and it helped to break that fear

Alwaystired2023 · 11/01/2024 06:48

Oh we had this at 12 months, think it took another 9 to get her liking the bath again and something switched for her.

We just got through, reduced to every other day, new toys, (once I put my phone on with Peppa at the side of the bath just to get her clean), me in the bath with her (a lot!) she doesn't care so much for dad and hates showers, and just keeping it quick.

As I say one day she decided she loves the bath again and now won't get out 🤣 good luck!

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NashvilleQueen · 11/01/2024 06:53

It's really really common and nothing you've done especially. It last a week or so but it passes. Children are so weird!

NashvilleQueen · 11/01/2024 06:54

Although there's probably some brilliant evolutionary reason why it happens like babies suddenly recognising that water can be dangerous or something.

planetarynoodle · 11/01/2024 06:55

Bath toys. Bubbles. Let her play with water during the day.

I appreciate you can't get in with her so it's tricky. Keep at it, she'll get there. 2 baths a week is plenty enough.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 11/01/2024 06:57

I remember my daughter being the same at that age. She would scream as though we were hurting her.
Used to dip her in, wash her and get her out. Be in a cheery manner and lots of distraction/singing a little toy or something and she started loving baths again.
I remember dreading bath time when she was like this xx

JustMaggie · 11/01/2024 07:02

I'm another one who had to bath my 9 month old in the kitchen sink for a little while. Something just clicked in her mind and she also suddenly hated baths. But she eventually got over it.

UnravellingTheWorld · 11/01/2024 08:41

Kids go through these phases of loving and then hating the bath. It does pass, and then happens again after a while. You're exactly right to reduce baths to only necessary and to keep them quick. That's pretty much all you can do!

OwlWeiwei · 11/01/2024 08:43

Half fill her baby bath with some warm water and loads of bath toys. Put it on a big towel in the kitchen and sit her on your lap beside it to play with the toys. Do that a few times so she enjoys water play. Then get into a shallow bath with her and some toys. Build it up gradually, like this s she associates water with fun.

Silverbirchtwo · 11/01/2024 08:51

Does she get upset if there is no water in the bath? If that's OK try putting just a little water in for a few times and increase gradually. As said above plenty of bath time toys to distract.

carmexmum · 11/01/2024 15:42

When DS (20mo) does this we distract him with something playing on the phone (bad I know but its v rare) he barely notices us putting him in, once he's in he's happy and we can was him thoroughly without issue.

kernowpicklepie · 11/01/2024 16:01

DD was like this, was awful, lasted ages. She still hates her hair being washed but loves being in the bath. She's 2.5 now.
DS has just started his bath aversion, he's 12 months. We just carry on but have reduced the number of baths he has because it's stressful.
I'm sure he'll be like his sister and be fine soon

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