Bath time blues

[Payney]

My three month old ds has had the same bedtime routine since he was a newborn - bath at 6.15pm followed by feed then bed. This has worked well, with him enjoying his time in the bath. Then, one night I put him in the bath, he splashed happily for a couple of minutes then went bright red in the face and started screaming the place down. I had a real fright as I thought something had hurt him, so I took him out and calmed him down. The next night, dh gave him a bath with the same result. Now, I only have to take him into the bathroom and he gets hysterical. Tonight I ran the bath ready and got him undressed in his bedroom so that he didn't see the bath coming and had less time to get upset - he started yelling as soon as he hit the water. I don't know what to do as I don't want to stop bathing him but it really pulls on the old heart strings seeing him get so upset. I've tried feeding him before bath but this doesn't make a difference either. Is this a common phase for babies to go through?

water too hot/cold?

Payney I've not had this reaction but have noticed that 3.5 month dd doesn't seem to enjoy splashing around as much (same in the swinmming pool) - is this the age they start to lose the swim instinct? Have you taken him swimming? Might be worth seeing what he does there

eczema? my dd1 suffered terribly till I eased off the baths in hard-water London, then the redness subsided. babies don't need a bath every day, they don't really get dirty enough, but I know most people do it out of routine, to calm things down before bedtime.try instead massage in dimly lit room - either just sunflower/olive oil or avent do a nice gel that has lavender in it.

Is th light in his eyes?

Was thinking about you when I had my bath with dd tonight

Firstly we have one of dd's favourite mobles in the bathroom - always calms her down even if she's screaming. It's handy when I want a shower etc - i there somehing you could do just to get him to calm down in the bathroom?

Secondly do you bath with your ds? DD, even when she doesn't want a splash around, is quite happy to lie back on my legs or on her front on my chest - would this help?

Does he bath in the big bath? If so,might be worth trying a wee platic bath in case he's taken fright at the large expanse of water and maybe even putting it in his or your room. just a thought. I think I remember reading about it somewhere so yes, I think quite a few babies go through it.

He is still in his little bath at the mo' although this in in the big bath. Tonight I put it in his bedroom and washed him on his mat then dunked him in the bath for a minute or so, taking him out just when he started looking agitated. This avoided any upset and he went to bed a happy chappie. I hadn't considered that he may be losing the swimming instinct - will take him to the pool to see how he reacts.