My 8.5 month old has suddenly decided that he HATES the bath tub. He always loved bath time until this week. First he tried to climb out of the tub and then when we put him back in he started shrieking/screaming hysterically. It was awful. This has happened the past three nights. We switched from the infant/toddler tub to the big duck bathtub and I even bought a "bath seat" today. Nothing has helped. He has plenty of toys in the tub, too. He's a very happy little guy outside of the tub. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice? Thanks so much in advance!
Thanks so much to everyone for their advice. Well, he seemed to be happy until his his feet hit the water. So, my husband and I first put him in the duck tub without water and then slowly pour water into the tub. Thank goodness, that has worked! :) A few months later: Now he happily goes into his "ducky" tub. Guess it was just a phase. Thanks again to everyone for their feedback.
The same thing happened with our daughter... overnight, she decided she despised baths... no traumatic experience or anything like that to induce her behavior. (It was so much screaming that my husband and I would flip a coin... bath or dishes!!)
I don't have much advice or insight, sorry. We tried everything... nothing helped, unfortunately. We just kept smiling and using a calm tone and eventually, she started to like baths again.
Have you tried getting in with him?
We have gone through this several times with my daughter for various reasons. One month it was because it was so cold out that she didn't like the feeling when she got out of the tub. Then there was the month the water temp wasn't the right temp for her, then she was afraid of seeing the water go down the drain at the end of the bath because she thought her toys would wash away, then it was that she hated having her hair washed (we are back to this one now), then it was she wanted me and not my husband to bathe her (I have more patience) and sometimes she was just too tired when we got to bath time. So they go through many many phases. I think the best thing is not to push it. Try varying the water temp a bit, warm the house up for when he gets out, if it is the hair washing, either skip washing it for a time or two or use a bath hat. Sometimes you may just have to sponge him down real quick and that is it. And get some fun toys for him. pots and pans he can fill or stack, a ball to play with or a basketball set, you get the idea. Rest assured, this will pass in time and you may not even know why it occurred.
Maybe you could try getting in with him in a regular size tub. (put a bathing suit on if your more comfortable). My son really got a kick out of it when my husband or I took a bath with him. Also if he is learning colors my son enjoyed the tun tints where he could pick a color each night.
My first daughter had issues with taking a bath as well. I discovered that it stemmed from the showerhead? Who knows why! But I helped ease her by taking a few baths with her. She eventually got over it, and whatever she had running through her head about the scary showerhead was learned to be nothing to worry about.
K.
I haven't had this problem, but I was thinking that maybe the association of fun and water that you get from swim classes might help. We have an 8 mo old and we started mommy (and daddy) and me swim classes a couple of months ago. Our son really loves the water and starts going nuts as soon as he sees us getting the tub ready. We go to Kids First Swim Schools in Columbia. Good luck.
So, this may not help at all, but my son did something like this last winter. Once it got cold and the heat came on (at home and daycare) his skin got dry. The dr. told me that with his skin so dry the bath water maybe irritating him after just a short while. So what we did, to deal with the dry skin was to reduce to bathing once every other night or once every 3rd night (they're babies, it's okay). Then I use eucurin cream all over from the neck down, I also use this especially in his trunk region on non-bath nights (sometimes I mix it with cephil because it spreads easier). I found after about 2 wks...the bath didn't both him. We still maintain the bathing schedule and lotion year round and be careful of the soap you use, it could be irritating his skin and that's why he wants out. Best of luck and happy holidays!!
Hi B.,
My son did this for a little while and I found a bath duck at Target that really helped. It made him feel secure while still getting that bath he enjoys. The irritation of skin my be an idea too, try adding bubbles or something. Here's the link to the duck. Both my children loved it and I would recommend it to anyone it was so awesome.
http://www.target.com/Munchkin-Duck-Bathtub/dp/B000066665...
Maybe you need to put some soothing music on or sing the same song.
Make it a ritual, maybe he got soap in his eye or he is teething, or maybe he is cold. Maybe the temp of the water.
Do not take it personal. This is a frustrating time because it is difficult for him to communicate.
Just try to communicate with him, your tone is the most important thing.
Good luck.
