all of a sudden HATES taking a bath

Lnickers

Anyone had this problem? My dd is 23 months and she has always loved taking a bath. For the last week she has been freaking out, screaming, crying when it is time for a bath. The only thing hubby and I can think of is that last week she pooped in tub for first time and she was weired out by that. She basically refuses to go in the tub--any suggestions? TIA

KateLouise

I'm right there with you, although LO never pooped in the bath so we don't even have any reason we can think of.

We try and keep it lighthearted. We give her options eg a bath or a shower. By yourself or with Mummy. Do you want to lie down int he water to rinse your hair or have Mum use the shower head. etc.

We have a couple of water books that she likes me to read, and I generally find that once she's in she's ok, but I keep it moving because she can suddenly freak out again.

I do find she hates the noise of the water going down the plug, and if I pull the plug while she's still in there then she gets panicked and tries to "rescue" anything in the bath (face cloth, books, shampoo bottles) from the drain. So maybe it's a bit of fear on her part. 

Torani

DS went through this a few weeks ago.  We had gotten upset that he pooped in the tub, and he was scared to even pee (which he normally did every time).  We started having him sit on the potty right before bath and asked him to pee and poop.  He usually does.  DH also had to get in the bath with him for about a week.  DH showed him how to cover his eyes when DH poured water over his head, and had DS pour water on him.  Squirt toys also helped, since they make him giggle.  After about two weeks, he loves bath again.  He gets to pick if he wants a bubble bath or regular bath, and things are finally back to normal!  I hope these work for you too, and good luck!

C&C6202005

I haven't been on this board much lately, but came over here to post this exact problem today!!  My DD used to play in the bath until the water was super cold and I had to drain it to get her out.  For the last month she screams/cries and tells me she is "scared" and won't get into the bath.  I have to just do the best I can with her screaming/crying the entire time...and it is AWFUL. 

Sorry I don't really have any suggestions, just wanted to let you know you are not alone and I hope this phase passes for all of us really soon!!! 

PajamaTime

When we've had that problem, I've added a new bath toy or two. It usually gets my son excited about bath time again. 

rinny25

DH figured out DS was scared of the shower part coming on & getting him wet which scared the crap out of him. DH tied an extra towel around the shower head to make it disappear. DS still gets scared but once playing hes usually fine. 

misty-nor-cal

We went through this about a month ago. For about a week I gave DD a sponge bath in the bathroom sink, trying to really downplay the actual bath. Then one night I asked her if she wanted a bubble bath and she has been in love again ever since. The next few days she was asking for a bubble bath at breakfast. Good luck!!

kross605

Dd did that once she put together that bath comes before bedtime so I think she was revolting against bedtime. We started going her a bath right after dinner and then letter her play a little or watch sesame street etc before the bedtime routine and that helped immediately. Now she willingly takes baths whenever. 

octwed07

kross605:

Dd did that once she put together that bath comes before bedtime so I think she was revolting against bedtime.  

I think this for us as well. I got her some new tub crayons for her a few days ago and she was excited to get in the bath.  Funny thing is that once we get her in, she HATES getting out.   

simbaroo27

We are going on about 6 months of hating baths - she will get in the water and play but when it's time to wash her hair, she FLIPS out.  Nothing changed that I can think of so it's extremely frustrating.  We've tried new toys, tub crayons, bath body paints, etc.  Nothing works.  

Just hope your's doesn't last as long as mine has!  Good luck.