Now terrified of the bath?

ally2011 · May 2014

Our dd has been bathing in the inflatable duck tub from target for almost a year with no issues. She is terrified of the regular bath so we have been delaying the transition. However, she is now terrified of the duck too. Dh was bathing her the other night and turned around for a few minutes when the first meltdown happened. He thinks she might have gotten soap in her eyes even though it is tear free. She flipped out and has flipped out every bath since. I even asked if there could have been a shock or something but he says no, there were no storms and water was not running. We slowly got her in a pool yesterday, but still a lot of tears and drama....and she flipped out again during bath after. Anyone else had this happen? Thoughts on what to do?

tamarar5 · May 2014

What about showering with one of you? Maybe that would break the negative cycle long enough to reset her?

ally2011 · May 2014

Shower attempt was a total freak out too.

tamarar5 · May 2014

Will poo on that.

What about trying just wash cloth or sink baths? You need something to break the negative association. Can you skip baths a day or two?

Or what about something completely different, playing in the sprinkler? Playing in the tub without water? Maybe with a little bit older child/cousin in swim suits?

What about looking for like the sesame street bath clip that Ernie did? You need something to make baths a fun experience again.

Meggiemuggins · May 2014

DH has been hating the bath lately too. We recently got him a water table that came with cups and a little water wheel. He's been playing with it outside a lot.

Now when we bathe him DH or I goes in with him and we bring the water wheel and the cups from the table into the tub and make a big deal out of playing with them. If DS starts freaking out. we pour warm water (warmer than the bath water, but not hot, clearly) over his back. He still doesn't sit down but at least he's not screaming like he's being water boarded anymore.

Good luck!

jbatch · May 2014

I could have written this post! I keep thinking I should ask this question. I even did the whole easing her into the pool outside thing. Someone suggested to me today to try bathing her in the sink and see if the smaller space will make her feel more comfortable then go back to the bath tub. So that is what I am going to try.. Otherwise I have no idea. It is not fun!

draeray · May 2014

We don't have an issue getting in the bath but now suddenly he doesn't like us to pour water on his head or actually put soap on him to wash him down. He has a mental breakdown every time. He does do better in the shower, but if he is in the bath, he only wants to sit in it and not be touched. We haven't figured out anything either.

BabyMayinMarch · May 2014

Can you try going in the bath first, then have your SO bring her in to bathe with you? My friend had to do this for a few months unil her DS calmed down.

ally2011 · May 2014

I have sat in the tub outside the duck tub. Still meltdown. May try that again today. We don't have a bath mat b/c for now she has been in the duck tub and you don't need one in it. I took her back to the pool today and it was marginally better so maybe bath tonight will be too. It is bizarre.

As for sink bath, she is already in a small space w/ the duck tub so I'm not sure that would make a difference, but may have to try it. She loved baths until the other night. He turned around for a few minutes and then something happened and she flipped out and has been flipping out since.

This is the bath we are using. She will get in it when it is dry and say "baf, baf" over and over. But put water in it and all h__ breaks loose. No clue.

https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-white-hot-inflatable-duck-safety-baby-bath-tub/-/A-10209874?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=10209874&CPNG=Baby&kpid=10209874&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10209874&gclid=CIPS2KG5z74CFUsaOgod-iEAww

tamarar5 · May 2014

Good luck! I hope you find something to work!

ally2011 · May 2014

Tried tub with bath mat. No better. This is really stressful.

tamarar5 · May 2014

Is she afraid of sitting/wanting to stand? Of water getting over her eyes?

I went through about three years of DD1 loving playing in the bath, but FREAKING out if I had to wash her hair, so I know how stressful this is! Could she have an ear infection, or gotten one after getting water in her ears? This ended up being a contributing factor for us — though not the solution.

ally2011 · May 2014

Hmmmm, might check into ears. But she is otherwise showing no symptoms but has pedi appt Tues for well baby. She screams in empty tub or tub with some water with one of us standing and holding her, her standing, her sitting, one if us sitting in it and holding her, in duck tub, without duck tub. Sigh. The interwebz says this is not uncommon, don't force it, wipe down often, give 2 sink baths a week, give it some time and reintroduce with fun toys. So I guess that is the plan for now. Hoping it passes soon, this is nuts.

TarheelMama202 · May 2014

luxannie said:

I'm MOTY for admitting this, especially since DS loves baths, but he only gets one once a week, if that. He does to swimming lessons once a week, so the chlorine cleans him off, right?!?
It's probably just a toddler battle. The interwebz advice seems to be reasonable. But I just wanted to share that you don't need to kill yourself to get her bathed all the time.

I wish we could do this. DS has so much hair that it attracts food, debris, and small nesting animals if we don't wash it every other night.

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