My son (14.5 months) has never had a problem with the bath. Lately he's loved playing and splashing around, then the other day he got upset and tried crawling out. Ever since then he hates the tub and crawls out. I've heard that toddlers go through stages like this. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to try and make it a fun time again?
I went through the same thing. I actually got into the bathtub with my daughter for a couple of times. And then she transitioned fine. I also bought a couple of new toys to bribe her. :) She now loves the bath again.
Connor did the same thing, and we started giving him a shower and not putting water into the tub until he was already in it. We have the detachable shower head that we can bring down to his level. He LOVES it! And now he will again sit and play in the tub. I think he is cleaner too since we can wash off the bubble bath residue.
I would try all these great ideas and you may even develop your own.
We overcame my son's resistance to bathing by calling it swimming. So when it was bath time I just had to ask him if he wanted to go swimming. I supplied several new bath toys and it helped him turn the corner on this.
let him bathe a doll - solved the problem for many nieces, nephews, daycare kids and my own kids.
My son did the same thing around the same age. He always loved the bath and requested it, then one day, he just screamed and wanted nothing to do with it. It was so odd, because nothing had happened, like him slipping or getting soap in his eyes. In order to get him to like it again, we ALL got into our jacuzzi tub in our bathroom with our clothes on and obviously no water. Then the next day we let him get into his bath tub with no water and clothes on and just play with some bath toys. The next night he took a bath again without any fuss. Hope that helps.
Kim
My son went throught this at the same age for about a month and a half- he just got over it. We just kept reassuring him that it was OK. We also bought him a ton of new bath toys and played with them before he got in the tub. One day he snapped out of it- but while he was going through it, I thought it would last forever. I thought he would be afraid of the shower at age 15!
My oldest did this and it only lasted about 2 weeks thankfully! The 1st time he was really scared I sat in the tub with him so he wouldn't be so scared. Then after that he cried, but we would still make him take his bath...we got very wet though b/c he wanted hugs and would try to climb out. We also got a few new toys for the tub like the other poster said. Then his fear was just gone...1 day he was fine, 1 day he was terrified, and then 1 day he loved the bath again. It's a phase and it should pass...just be very reassuring. Good Luck!
Children in this age group make connections between events that are not necessarily connected. You did not mention what he got upset about but it is possible that whatever it was he now associates with bath time. I would try to "shape" his behavior again. You could do this by putting him in a smaller container with water such as a baby pool or even a rubbermaid container (clear plastic about 6" tall and 18" x 24"). You might even try it outside of the bathroom and use the same toys he used in the tub. Make it fun and easy. As soon as he wants to get out let him get out. Then after a week or two move the container to the bathroom next to the tub and let him have bathtime. Then after a week or so put the container in the tub with water in it but don't fill the tub. Then move back to the tub. He may naturally get out of the container and sit in the tub without water in it. Then maybe pour the water from the container into the tub etc. Just slow and easy. He may progress quickly through these stages or it may take him longer. A lot depends on his personality and temprament. Good luck.
Small amount of water. Have him stand and wash him quickly. He can't crawl out unless you let him. And if bath is a battle for a bit, he will get over it. Just keep reassuring him that the tub won't hurt him and he will be fine. But it might just be one of those things that he's chosen to test you on. You are the parent, he has to have a bath, and so forth. You know the drill. Just keep telling him he will be fine, but we have to be fresh and clean or we get sick. Period. He will get over it soon enough. And he won't be traumatized by any means.
When they hit middle school you will really have a time and most kids will try the whole I got in and out in 2 seconds and tell you they took a shower. It's normal.
