2 Year Old Used to Love Bath Time, He Now Screams and Cries

My girls hated baths from day one and only liked them a bit better when they sat between my legs in the tub. So initially (after really young infancy baths) bath time was with mom. Eventually they got more comfortable and were able to be in the tub without me in it, and later both girls together.
How about filling only a very small layer of water and letting him stand in it while you quickly sponge him off? Or if you have a hand-shower (or you can attach one of those to the spout or get a shower head that has the hose with the handheld shower) then you can spray him down without getting any water where he does not want it, maybe starting just with "tickling" his toes. Or he can direct the water where he wants, even if it is against the wall for starters.
There is also no problem with simply wiping his privates and hands and feet with baby wipes and a wash cloth for his face for a few days or weeks. I would change pediatricians if that is his advice. Why traumatize a kid over something that is not essential (since there are other ways to keep clean)?

Welcome to the world of dealing with a two year old:) You got lucky the first time avoiding these types of power struggles. This is the age when many children start saying no to EVERYTHING even things they previously loved. Their brains have just figured out that they can. They've also just figured out that they don't have to blindly go along with everything imposed on them. So, they begin to assert their independence and autonomy in the only way they know how: kicking and screaming. Not fun for the parents.

However, I would suggest that you don't let him out of his bath. It will only reinforce his behavior and pretty much ensure that he keeps on doing it. I would keep calm and let him know what you are doing the entire time you are doing it, but I wouldn't allow his protests to deter the process. You can also install a sticker reward program for taking baths. Two year olds love stickers. Let him pick out some stickers that he really likes and explain to him that he ONLY gets a sticker after he takes a bath without tantruming.

"The child psychologist who thought she had all the answers to parenting until she became one herself." www.themommypsychologist.com

Let him stand in the tub and wash himself and then pour water on himself if he'll do that. Don't let him out of baths, just do less of them if he's not terribly dirty. I had one who was afraid of going down the drain. Hard to believe but true. It didn't last long and then it was fine again. Don't give in though and just try other ways of bathing until he is calmer. You could do a shower but most little ones are afraid of them actually.

My son did this around 14 or 15 months. He loved his bath up until that time and then for a couple of months absolutely hated it. I had to wait until my husband was home so one of us could hold him and while the other quickly washed him, just to get it over with. After awhile he liked it again and it hasn't been a problem since. He is now 4. I think kids just go through phases like this. Have you tried putting him in the shower? I have decided this is my preferred method for my kids because it is so much faster. My son likes to take a shower, but my daughter prefers baths. It might be a way to switch it up for your son to get over this phase. Good luck!
HTH,
A.

Perhaps try a small tub, like you would soak clothes in, put inside the actual bath tub. That's a smaller space and not as much water. When you rinse his hair, pour it on his head with a large plastic cup, filled from the faucet. I'd let him hold a washcloth over his eyes so that the water doesn't get in his eyes while you rinse his hair.

Eventually he'll get over this. But your doc is right - there are some things, like baths, that are non-negotiable.

Good luck!
Dawn

My son did the exact same thing at about 18 months. One day he was perfectly fine in the tub and then next time I tried to bathe him it was a screaming mess! I have know idea what happened. He was very much like your son, he LOVED the bath. I was giving this kids baths at 2 weeks old and he would just sit contentendly and never even whimper and all of a sudden it was like complete torture!

We tried various techniques as well, but honestly you can only let them go so long without a bath so we did force him to do it but made it as quick as possible. My husband and I took turns and about 2 months (maybe 1) it slowly got better. Someone else gave me the suggestion of letting him throw the toys into the tub from the outside and that actually did work a little bit towards the end. He would slowly be more open to getting in the bath, but refused to sit down...whatever, it was a step in the right direction! ;) Eventually he started sitting down and then one day it was back to his same old routine. We haven't had a problem since (he's now 2.5).

I will say though that at one point I looked back on it and I think I might have made the bath water too hot that last "happy" bath time and it freaked him out. He didn't communicate very well at all so I never really knew what the issue was, but I have wondered if that wasn't the case. I'll never know for sure obviously, but at the time I was convinced that wasn't the problem (b/c it was the temp I always made it and my daughter who also took baths with him never complained) but since he talks so much better now I have found that he likes the bath less warm than his sister and she can tolerate it much hotter than he can.

Anyway, my bottom line, is hang in there, it will probably work itself out, but it might be slightly miserable in the meantime! ;)

Hi. I admire your intention to find a solution not using force.

We went through the same thing, and our 3 1/2 year old still does not like baths on some days.

I usually give him a choice: bath in the tub or in the sink. Sometimes i let him sit on the sink and fill the basin with water and wash him there. I know it takes a bit longer, but perhaps if you do it while the 5 year old is in the tub and sees all the fun....

another thing: is i fill up the tub with his favorite bath toys before giving him the choice and even add some new stuff (tupperware...)

Jilly.

we went through this with our son as well. the thing that worked for us is to get the color changing Cars toys and he could only play with them in the bath. worked like a charm for us!

Definitely normal, typical, two-year-old behaviour. Sigh. It used to be so easy, but now my boys are two as well and I'm going through it in stereo! I went through it with my oldest who is five, but honestly, I think he never outgrew the terrible twos so his brothers still seem easy in comparison! Anyway, don't sweat it, he'll like bath time again soon enough. It's something that has to be done so just do it quickly and get it over with.

This is normal. Both of my older kids went through this around age 2. Who knows what triggered it. For each of them I would calmly stand them in the tub while they threw their fit, soap them, rinse them off and bring them out. It took about 5 minutes total. For my daughter she got a pooh bear bath toy in a bathtub for Christmas. I told her to play with it she had to get in the tub and give him a proper bath. She completely forgot about her bath hatred and hopped right in. For my son, I think we also got him some new toys that could only be played with in the bathtub and he went in for the new toys too. Don't make a big deal of it and it will pass. and I agree with Suzanne--don't pull the plug and empty the tub while they are nearby--going down the drain is a very common fear.

Updated

This is normal. Both of my older kids went through this around age 2. Who knows what triggered it. For each of them I would calmly stand them in the tub while they threw their fit, soap them, rinse them off and bring them out. It took about 5 minutes total. For my daughter she got a pooh bear bath toy in a bathtub for Christmas. I told her to play with it she had to get in the tub and give him a proper bath. She completely forgot about her bath hatred and hopped right in. For my son, I think we also got him some new toys that could only be played with in the bathtub and he went in for the new toys too. Don't make a big deal of it and it will pass. and I agree with Suzanne--don't pull the plug and empty the tub while they are nearby--going down the drain is a very common fear.

Why not try a shower with toys? that might help. Also, it sounds like he might have some sensory processing issues. Not many peds. are aware of it, but because he dosnt' like to be changed so much it might be part of it. He is uncomfy in his own body when things change. Why not ask about it at the doc? It may just be a phase though, and he will like baths again....Good luck!

Kids are weird.
They start trying to control things at about age two... hence "terrible twos".
Kids need structure.
Knowing dinner time, bath time, bed time are all going to happen at a certain time EVERY day is what they NEED.
Ignoring crying and fits and just plopping him in for a bath whether he likes it or not NEEDS to happen.
Again, kids need structure and schedule. It's very important in the scheme of things. Don't let them see you sweat. YOU are in charge and don't forget that.

My guy hated baths UNTIL he was 2, now that's he's almost 3 he loves them, and on the off night he doesn't care for a bath he showers.

I made baths as matter-of-fact and quick as possible, who says they HAVE to play with toys in the tub? They just need to get clean. Your son's refusals sound as if he's trying to assert his independence, common at this age, so I see where his pediatrician is coming from. If you feel he must have a choice in the matter let him pick out the towel he will dry off with or the pajamas he will put on when he's done, but make it clear to him that he is having a bath. Offer him a shower, too, he may surprise you.

And know that the Terrible-Two's have nothing on the Terrible Three's...they're more verbal so better able to express themselves, physically stronger so capable of resisting more and longer, and oh so more willful :-/ So establish the boundaries now.