[j-gray]

Hi All

So over the last month or slow my DS 13 months has slowly learnt to hate the bath. He has lots of toys in there, I sit next to the bath and play during bath time, and do my best 'happy fun bath!' voice.

But he just screams and tries to climb out ! Particularly when I rinse his hair.

The only thing I can think that might have contributed was about a month ago he slipped backwards (from seated position) and his face went under. In the millisecond it took me to grab him he'd already half flipped over ready to get up so he didn't swallow any water or anything like that, but it gave him a big fright. He was ok the night after that but it's slowly gotten worse from there.

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas ? A magic cure would be ideal !

[Bluenomi]

DD had a stage of hating the bath around the same age.

For a while we had really quick baths. We also taught her to look at the roof when rinsing her hair and used a face washer to stop it going in her eyes since that's what freaked her out the most.

But mostly we just had to ride it out. She got over it and a few months later was back to loving it again

[greenthumbgirl]

Sorry no magic...but a few ideas

Bubblebath?
Use a fashwasher to rinse hair rather than container...less water on face?
Prepare him for water on his face by saying to him...1..2...3...water?
Change bath time eg after b'fast rather than at night when tired?

[crocodilessnap]

My DD started going through the same thing a couple months back, we now just shower her with us as it stops all the stress and tears. We have some bath crayons in there so she draws on the tiles while we do what we need to do then we wash her at the end, she would honestly spend all day in there sometimes if we let her

My dad had been telling me to 'make' her have a bath for ages and that i was the parent and had to let her know who was boss He quickly changed his tune after trying to give her a bath when they had her overnight a few weeks back, guess mum knows best after all

[Eight.years]

Get in with him and wash him on your lap for a while, it may help him feel more secure.

Or switch to the shower, with a nice rubber anti-slip mat there for safety.

[j-gray]

DD had a stage of hating the bath around the same age.

For a while we had really quick baths. We also taught her to look at the roof when rinsing her hair and used a face washer to stop it going in her eyes since that's what freaked her out the most.

But mostly we just had to ride it out. She got over it and a few months later was back to loving it again

Good to hear it might just be a phase ... I'll try the washer tonight thanks Bluenomi

Sorry no magic...but a few ideas

Bubblebath?
Use a fashwasher to rinse hair rather than container...less water on face?
Prepare him for water on his face by saying to him...1..2...3...water?
Change bath time eg after b'fast rather than at night when tired?

I'd rather do bathtime at night if I can .. only because he's all clean for bed then You're right the water getting in the face definitely adds to it. Hopefully the washer will help.

My DD started going through the same thing a couple months back, we now just shower her with us as it stops all the stress and tears. We have some bath crayons in there so she draws on the tiles while we do what we need to do then we wash her at the end, she would honestly spend all day in there sometimes if we let her

My dad had been telling me to 'make' her have a bath for ages and that i was the parent and had to let her know who was boss He quickly changed his tune after trying to give her a bath when they had her overnight a few weeks back, guess mum knows best after all

Ha ha ha ha I love it when they prove us right !!!

[Cranky Kitten]

My DD had a similar thing happen at around that age - she accidentally sat on the plug-hole as the water was draining and it sucked on her bum and scared her. She wouldn't have a bath without crying and hated it when I pulled the plug.

We started off getting her used to the bath again by having showers with her, getting in the bath with her and holding her and by going swimming at the pools with her. Gradually she started to like bathtime again, now I have trouble getting her out!

Definitely try the facewasher for rinsing hair, if he's afraid of having his face under water maybe try him in the shower or use a watering can so it sprinkles rather than gushes.

[j-gray]

Ok the bubbles definitely helped! in between whinging to get out he was in fits of laughter at me blowing puffs of bubbles at him.

I wussed out washing his hair but did run over it with the washer to try to get him used to that. Even that freaked him out a little. I think the main bit seems to be having water poured on him or the washer over his head.

Will persist ! We're off to hawaii in three weeks so hopefully he'll learn to love the water that way.

Thanks all

[Tobias'smum]

Maybe get him to pore water on your head so you can show him its not scary make a big productionsmile lots etc if we mention bath time to our son he shoves his food in his mouth and wants to go have a bath so i hope your little one starts to like it again

[LifesGood]

Its a phase, keep doing what you are doing and it will pass. Keep baths short and functional. In no time he will be wanting to stay in there and play for hours and will scream when you try to get him out!