they hate baths

I am so bummed about this. Clara really hates her bath and it has been like this for about three solid weeks. It hasn't always been this way. Grayson also had another bad spell of not liking it at all, but he seems to have gone back to being okay the most of the time. They both despise getting their heads wet and hair washed. Neither likes to lay down in the tub.

Today I took a bath with Clara and that wasn't as bad as it is when she's in alone or with Grayson. I sing, let them play with toys, put them in when they don't need washed (just to play), take them in the shower and/or bath with me is something I have just started with Clara bc it is so bad with her.

I HATE it for them (and me too). But I love my showers and baths. I love the water so much. I don't want them to be afraid of it.

Any suggestions? Anyone else go through this and it improve? Did you do anything to help?

 

Mine went through this every couple of months and still act out some days. I think it's just a phase and will most likely get over it. I would make sure there is some funny thing they can use in there. Also, I let them splash me and spray me. You can show them how to do it --- and I laugh hysterically so they will love being in there. Eventually they will do it to each other too.

Good luck. :hug:

 

I wouldn't push the laying down in the tub and be extra careful not to get the water in their faces. I tell them "chin up, eyes closed" and then you can cover them with a wash cloth or something for rinsing. That's a bummer. I hope they learn to love the water!

Color tabs and them choosing the color might be fun!

 

My girls have gone through these phases too. One time I let them decide when it was time to get in, that seemed to help. Other times, I let them help as much as possible "what should we do now...wash hair or wash body". It seemed to help if they had a sense of a bit of "control".



PS - Time to update that ticker!!

 

Ours passed through phases with liking/disliking the bath. When they were younger, around a year I think, they seemed scared of the bath (and hated the shower as they didn't like to get their hair/face wet). So we bathed them in the kitchen sink for the longest time - still do when we're in a hurry. We also put a bath mat down so it seems less slippery. Other things we've successfully tried are:

• - having their own little flannel to hold over their face as we pour water on their hair (or to dry their face afters)
  - lots of pouring cups to pretend to make drinks etc
  - colourful bubble bath (only occasionally as I worry about the effect on their skin and only so they can still see the bottom of the bath as otherwise it seems to scare them)
  - using the shower head in the bath rather than filling the bath - and then giving them control over this
  - getting used to getting their face a bit splashed in the sea / pool
  - not pushing it: if they're scared and want to get out they can no matter how little washing has been done; also for a few weeks we didn't even wash maia's hair
  - bathing / showering with DH or me - usually with us actually holding them
  - watching me / DH shower
  - playing in the paddling pool in the summer months (yeah not such a practical suggestion now I know!)

Now of course they absolutely LOVE the bath and shower and sink and it's hard to get them out.
It will pass ...

 

Great suggestions ladies! Thank you! I am glad to hear that others have been through the cycle and it comes and goes. That seems more the case with DS. I have considered doing some type of swim class with them at the YMCA just to get them into the water and hopefully more aware that it is a good thing.