Suddenly freaking out in bathtub

missisue

LO is 10 months old, and for the last 2-3 weeks, she has been screaming hysterically every time we try to give her a bath. Prior to that, she was happy to sit and play with a washcloth and listen to us sing songs. We didn't change anything about the bath routine. Just one day, she started freaking out when her feet hit the water.

 

I've tried baths in the morning instead of at night. I've tried cooler water and warmer water. I've tried just wiping her down with a washcloth instead of sitting her in the water. I even tried the kitchen sink yesterday instead of the tub. No dice... hysterical crying, flailing, scrambling to get out.

 

Any advice? I miss our happy little bath times.

pixieprincss

Aw...poor thing. Have you tried cobathing? You can either sit in the bath with her or hold her while you shower (or use a water carrier, if you have one).  Hmmm...what else--Would any other variations work--let her play in the dry tub with no intention of bathing her? Let her start in the dry tub then let her touch the water as it comes out of the spigot or shower head?

jcsumm0

I second bathing with her.  It is really fun too! 

missisue

I did get in the bath with her the night before last, and she was still really upset. I nursed her while DH washed her off. It was quite awkward, and if not for the tears, would have been really funny. We are trying out playtime in a dry tub today... fingers crossed it works!

tomkat35728

DS did the same thing around that age. We started taking him to swimming lessons and for play time in the therapy pool at our local Y, just for fun - not even to help with the bath troubles. He was scared at first, but really started to have a lot of fun with it.

He still wasn't crazy about baths, but the swimming actually helped a lot and he eventually got completely over it. He loves bath time now and requests time in the "tub" every night around 6pm. 

Good luck! 

 

radak

My daughter went through this phase.  I began co-showering.  It was awesome and really calmed her down.  It was so much easier than being in the bathtub, and it was a great bonding experience, because she is generally a spitfire, and when she is in the shower, she really relaxes and smiles at me, and lets me hold her.  It was really a fun time.  We are back to baths now though.

tokenhoser

https://creativewithkids.com/?p=4948&preview=true

That has some ideas.

lady_tytah

My daughter went thru that phase as well. I had her be in control of the water and started bringing in toys, Something I hadnt done before. Though when she went thru the phase she was maybe 2-2.5.