My son is now 14 months old and for the past week he refuses to sit in the bathtub. He has a total meltdown during the whole time and stands while I attempt to wash him screaming the entire time. The water is not too hot or too cold. I've tried different toys, put bubbles in and finally Daddy got in first which got him in the tub without crying but he still refused to sit down. I'm at my wits end trying to figure out why on earth could be going on with him. Any suggestions or advise? Has anyone had this happen to them before? Also, he will not get into his little pool outdoors either, he will only stand on the outside and splash the water with his hands. HELP!
Hi,
I remember my son went through something similar when he was younger. Do you have a kitchen sink you could bathe him in? Have you tried bringing him in the shower with you? This is just a phase and he will most certainly outgrow it. I wouldn't worry about it. After all its more important you clean him then he sits in the tub. Good luck.
I can totally relate to this! My son, who is now 3 and a half had been doing the same thing for a good year before he settled down. the only thing i did to help him was put lots of toys, bubbles and his little sister in the bath with him. he's been fine ever since. my advice, keep having someone get into the tub with him and he'll be sitting soon. the pool was the same way. little by little he gets around to it. it just takes time!
good luck!!!
: -)
Hi L.,
We had the same problem with our son too. He is now 21 months and we first introduced him to a toddler tub before the big tub. I got one at One Step Ahead, but I'm sure you can find them locally too. I think the big tub was just TOO big. We put the toddler tub in the big tub and he loved it. When he was ready, we switched him to the big tub with a rubber safety mat which made him comfortable. No more bath problems!
Good luck!
My 2 yr old was having the same issues. When my 6 month old came along and we got her a new baby bathtub, the two year old wanted to sit in it too. SO we told her it was a bathtub not a toy. She watched us give the baby a bath in it and then she took off her pajamas and said "me too". So I'm thinking maybe if your older son puts on a bathing suit and plays in the tub or the pool with him it might make the little one want to go too! Good luck!
Hi I have an 16 month old girl who did this to me about 4 months ago. I invited her little cousin over who was 6 months and put her in the bath which made her want to get in the bath. Now she crys to get out. Good luck!
Sometimes the tub is a huge scary place for the little ones. I introduced my little ones to the tub by first placing them in a plastic laundry basket outside of the tub. They played in it and felt comfortable in it. Then I put the laundry basket in the bathtub and filled it with water for their bath. Its like a mini bath tub inside a large one. After a few weeks I took the laundry basket away all together and they were comfortable in the larger tub.
Katie
Weymouth
We went through the same thing with my son at about the same age. Up until this time he loved baths, but all of a sudden he hated the water! My husband or I would get in the tub with him which seemed to make bath time a little easier-same thing with the kiddie pool as well. My son freaked if he was splashed. That entire summer, my husband and I played with him in pools and by August he was a completely different kid!He would dunk and put his face in the water. We then put him in swimming lessons so he wouldn't forget that he liked the water. For the tub, you can buy a blow up duck that will fit in your tub which he can sit in and have his bath. As far as pools, I think its pretty much a phase and this is the time to get them used to the water.
Hi! My almost 11-month-old son does this also. He hasn't started walking yet but when he stands up he'll take a few steps and likes to practice standing in the bath or in his little pool. I don't know if your baby is walking yet, but if not, maybe the baby is just practicing. The other day we were giving our son a bath and he literally (with me holding him) climbed out of the tub. We just try to quickly wash him and get him out before he melts down. Good luck!!
I put a facecloth on the bottom of the tub for my son to sit on and that seemed to work.. either that, just keep doing it standing up.. maybe he is ready for a shower??? you can get one of those shower attachments and try that.. maybe he'd like it..
Hi, i'm L. & i'm married w/ 2 girls. Emily is 6 1/2, & Sophie will be 3 next month. Your not alone. I have yet to figure out why Sophie does this. Never has she sat in the tub! Never. Even in the kiddie pools, won't do it. She too will yell & scream thru her bath routine. It's not to hot/cold. It doesnt matter what toys she has. Sometimes i can get her to sit, but only for maybe a full minute or 2. I've tryed the shower & that was worse. That was major meltdown. The 1st summer she was able to go in the pool she did the same thing, stayed on the outside edge & just splashed. I remember before she was walking i put her in it and she screamed & cried horribly. Even in my neighbors inflatable pool, it's like she's afraid of being submerged.
I havent been too worried about it. I try to work w/ her. Obviously it's a fear we can't force w/o to much trauma. So i just let her do whatever shes comfortable with. Chances are he may continue to be this way, unless he grows out of it. If not just go with the flow. :D Good Luck
My daughter is 14 months old as well. She has just started the whole 'standing in the tub' thing. I take her hand and tell her she has to sit. She'll then sit but within a minute she'll be back up on her feet again. It sure does get frustrating.I have yet to find a solution, but thought I'd let you know you aren't alone in this fight. Good Luck!!
