Afraid of the bath now...

Discussion in 'The Toddler Years(1-3)' started by carlaj23, Sep 9, 2010.

  1. carlaj23

    carlaj23 Well-Known Member

    So, both my girls have always LOVED bath time. As soon as they finish their dinner, they both start saying 'bath, bath, bath!'. But last week Alyse had Roseola and was teething. While in the bath, Natalie splashed her with some water (just like always) and Alyse immediately grabbed her ear and started screaming. She wanted out immediately. Ever since then she has said 'no' to baths and cries when I take her in the bathroom. So, she's been existing off of sponge baths for almost 2 weeks now. She does not mind those (in fact she can't stand to have any dirt or messes on her), but doesn't want anywhere close to the bath tub and water. Anyone ever gone through something like this? Any suggestions for helping her get back into the bath tub? It was much easier to bathe two toddlers at once!!! But, I really want to help her get through her fear of this more than anything. Its rather hard to wash her hair this way!!

    Thanks!
     
  2. ronee75

    ronee75 Well-Known Member

    awww, i feel so bad for her! unfortunately, i don't know what you're going through, but i am thinking maybe you can just give her a bath by herself to show her that there's nothing to be afraid of. or maybe you can give her something special to take in with her, or you can go in with her...anything to get her to go back that first time. just a thought...good luck!
     
  3. Danibell

    Danibell Well-Known Member TS Moderator

    Start slow, sit beside the tub with her in your arms while Natalie is in the tub. Keep talking to her the whole time, but don't pressure her to get in. Give her a tub toy to play with, show her how to dip water into it, and then give it to her. It may take a few times of this, but if you go slow and just gently encourage and don't force her, eventually she'll remember that she used to love bathing. When she tries to get the water into the toy herself, ask her if she wants to get in and play. Again, just encourage, don't pressure. One small step at a time, get her to play in the water, then put her in with just her feet, standing up against the side of the tub with your arms around her, eventually splash some water on her belly and when she starts to relax help her to sit down.

    We had to do this around 1 yr with our dd twin. Our ds splashed her (same type of thing) which startled her and she was terrified of bathing. It took about 2 weeks of gently coaxing and encouragement, and eventually she would sit in the tub with my arms still around her while I showed her how to play with the toys, and splashed a little water on her belly and then poured some down her arms...etc. Once she got over that fear though, she's back to loving baths again! :hug:
     
  4. TwinxesMom

    TwinxesMom Well-Known Member

    Have you tried barging her by herself? One of my girls went thru a similar stage and I think we ended bathing her in just an inch of water by herself for a while
     
  5. slugrad1998

    slugrad1998 Well-Known Member

    Haleystar just recently posted about her boys having a new fear of water. Maybe she can tell you what has worked for them.
     
  6. tpowers

    tpowers Well-Known Member

    Right now both of mine hate bath time. One more that the other. When it got really bath with Lincoln I bathed him in the kitchen sink. It was smaller and I wrapped him in a towel, laid him back and washed his hair. This worked until he was ready for the tub again. With Lucas nothing is working and I just have to let him cry. It sucks.
     
  7. carlaj23

    carlaj23 Well-Known Member

    Oh, the bath toy is a great idea! I will start trying that with no pressure to get in the tub. I just hate it for her!
     
  8. vharrison1969

    vharrison1969 Well-Known Member

    I think Danielle's ideas are great! :good: Good luck, and I hope this is a short phase!
     
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