DS scared of weeing in the bath

[mrsmalcolmreynolds]

Hi - this isn't strictly a potty training question, but related, and although I posted originally in behaviour/development there hasn't really been much response there so I thought I'd post here too just in case there are any pearls of wisdom out there!

Here goes:

DS is 20m and barring the occasional hissy fit when overtired/under the weather has always enjoyed the bath, which he has every evening.

About a week ago he weed on getting into the bath - far from the first time, and as usual there was no reaction in particular from DH, me or DD(5) - a "oh look, DS has done a wee - what toy would you like in the bath DS?" or something like that. However on this particular occasion, which as I say was nothing at all out of the ordinary, DS got really upset and couldn't be distracted/calmed - just wanted to come out of the bath and then calmed down fairly quickly.

Ever since then he has been much less happy about going in the bath than usual, to the extent that we've been just popping him in while running a flannel over him and then straight out, and today I just had him on the bath mat by the side and gave him a quick wipe with the flannel there. He seems anxious about weeing in connection with the bath - as soon as his nappy is taken off ready for the bath he clutches his penis and that seems connected with his unhappiness.

I wondered whether he might have a UTI or something else causing him pain in the penis area either generally or specifically when he wees, but he's not more concerned about it at other times than before and he must be weeing into his nappy without discomfort - there's no otherwise unexplained crying or distress during the day. He's also producing a normal number of wet and dirty nappies per day.

So we're proceeding on the basis that as he's got a bit older and more aware, he's got to the point where actually seeing wee coming out of his penis was a bit of a surprise/shock (whereas previously he'd just taken it for granted) and because it happened in the bath (and the water would naturally make you feel like weeing) he's established a bit of a negative association. Our plan (such as it is) is not to make a big deal of it, gently encourage him into the bathroom and try to interest him in going in the bath, but not to force it and just do enough of a flannel wipedown for cleanliness until he gets over it.

Interested though to know whether others have experienced similar reactions, what your approach was, how long it took for normal service to be resumed etc?

You want him to wee in the bath?

I think she wants him to be not scared of the bath anymore pirate!

ah, sorry i misunderstood.

Suggest he tries to do a wee before getting in the bath.
They get there eventually! It's no big deal - just get him a little potty or hold him on the toilet.

My 5 year old still does this - i can tell by his face.

Hi, thanks for responses. Yes, the issue was that being scared of possibly weeing in the bath meant he was pretty much refusing to go in.

We offered potty and holding on the toilet but he wasn't interested, so we just played it cool for a few days, doing a quick wipe with the flannel if he didn't want to go in. Last couple of days he seems to have relaxed about it a bit - we've been able to distract him and today was pretty much back to normal. No doubt this is just the first of many willy-related adventures .

What's the deal with weeing when not in the bath OP? Are you potty training? Does he notice having a wee at any other time??

Of course, you do know that little boys are complete wusses about getting dirty?

Could he have a shower instead?

Hi, no we're not potty training, he's not showing any signs of readiness - doesn't seem aware of when he's weed in his nappy, no particular pattern to when his nappies are full, no particular interest in the potty or toilet.

If he doesn't carry on getting more comfortable with it again shower would be a possibility at least some of the time.

Cooki3Monst3r yes I'd gathered although he's always been a fan of the bath until recently.

Thanks Frusso - who knows what goes on in their heads eh! Completely agree will holding is usually just because it's there - this seemed very connected to the bath and his having been upset by weeing in the bath last week. In any event we had a good bath time tonight, followed by much interested (and completely undistressed) willy examination while I was trying to get him dried and into nappy and pjs [eyebrow].

Oops, meant !