Terrified at Bathtime!

this is a different view point. One of my three children had this problem and I finely found out the problem was the drain he was afraid that he would go down the drain like the water.So I got a cutie plug for the drain and never drained the water when he was in the tub. also had a problem with the toilet we had just started potty training at the time. with that issue I just had him say good bye to the waste before he flushed and gave him the power to flush.

Hi Kris,

We have had the same problem with our daughter (now 2.5), once because she pooped in the tub and once because her baby brother pooped in the tub. Our pediatrician said it was a traumatic event and to just give it time and do not force her into the bath. We were able to get her to stand in the water and we left out bubbles so she could see the bottom and know nothing was in the water. After about a week we went to babies r us and she picked out a new bath toy and we both agreed she could play with the toy when she got in the bath. The toy approach worked for us and she started taking baths again. Although she still will not bathe with her baby brother. Good Luck. I am sure this too will pass.

I think it's just a phase, my 2 1/2 year old did this and still doing this time to time. I don't know what it is, he use to love bath time and then all of the sudden he would scream when I put him in, even bubbles didn't work. I just made him take his bath and finally he started liking them again. Time to time he fights them but for the most part all good.

Probably just a phase- but an idea to help you get him clean for now: if you have a removable showerhead (and you can buy cheap ones at Home Depot- they even have fun kid ones in some places) place it on the floor of the tub and gently turn the water on spraying up. Dress him in his usual swim attire at first, make it just like you would a splash park. If that works try removing the swim shorts and see if he'll play in the buff. A few "showers" later try lifting the showerhead up a little- even let him try it and gradually move back to a regular shower.

THEN try plugging the tub while showering and let him play a bit in a small amount of water. Making it as much fun as possible until he works through this phase. Don't know- just a thought. If you were truly desperate to get him clean you could even try using a sprinkler in the back yard and sudsing up outside... This too will pass!

Maybe you could try purchasing one of those little water play tables ($25-50 @target) along with special water toys...then transfer those toys into the tub after a week of playing?? maybe trying to make H2O completely fun will eventually make bath time fun again.

Hi Kris,
Sounds like your baby has Sensory processing disorder. You can google it and read about it. You can get help now and its early so you can help him. Integrative Pediatrics in Plano or Dallas are certified in Sensory issues and can help you a lot. You can call Sally Fryer there and she will evaluate your child. ###-###-####
L.

Kris,

Is it possible that someone else has given him a bath and maybe scared him. Did he have an incident in the water that might have made him afraid of it? Most babies love their bath time.

My grandson doesn't like the water to go over his head and down his face, so I have him hold his head back while I pour the water to raise his hair. That might help.

Think back to see if something happen during bath time that might have him upset. If your the only one giving him a bath and nothing happened, then you might try the shower idea.

Love and Light,
Rev. G. Hudson, Reiki Master.
www.reikigailhudson.com

My daughter did this at about that age. We were potty training and she peed in the tub once. After that she was terrified of the tub. Your son may have a different reason but he's scared of something nonetheless. I started out getting in the tub with her and didn't make her sit in the water since she was ok with standing in the water. After a couple nights, she agreed to sit down and play. Eventually I was able to get out and things went back to normal. It will take time so just be patient, listen to him, and be there for him. He'll get over it before long even though it seems like forever at the time.

If your kiddo is that terrified of water it would be really important to address this as a safety issue - now, rather than later. If a child is not prepared to deal with an accidental immersion in water there will be only one outcome if it were to happen for real.

Try one of the less stressful programs that have you in the water with your child. (Some of the programs out there are really stressful on the child and would only aggravate your child's problems.) We used SwimPlus in Plano and have been very satisfied with the results - my son fell in a pool and off a dock and both times responded with the correct self-rescue techniques he had been taught.

Can he communicate why he's afraid? Try the shower, and maybe have him help get the bath going so he's involved in it rather than being "made" to take the bath. Good luck!

Ah, how familiar that sounds! Went through it (twice!) with my now 28 month old daughter. There was absolutely no triggger . . . she was just suddenly terrified and crying hysterically!

I put on my bathing suit and climbed in the bath with her. She was still nervous, but less hysterical. Do that a few days in a row, then try a solo bath again. I also moved her to every-other-day bath, but that was during cooler months when she wasn't outside getting dirty/sweaty.

She still has issues with her hair, but only because she hates to have water dripping down her face and into her eyes. So I always lay her on her back (which she is now fine with) to wet her hair, then to rinse out the shampoo, using my cupped hand or a small bowl to rinse the unsubmerged parts of her head. This way the water doesn't run down her face/eyes (except when I'm careless and splash!).

The good news is my daughter got over it -- in less than one week the first time, but almost two weeks the second time. She's likes to play in the bath, and absolutely loves the pool!

I think its a phase they go thru. What I did was get some new bath toys. I had a doll that I was able to put in the bath and I washed the doll first just to show her. I also got some very cheap aniamal figures (snakes, dinosours, Rino, elephants) And made it a game. Now I cann't get her out!

I hope it helps.

J.

My daughter has Sensory Integration Dysfunction and bathing, getting her face wet, and washing hair are some things she still hates at age 10! (She enjoys swimming IF she has goggles on.) If he likes splash areas, how about just putting a small amount of water in the tub (an inch or two) or in a plastic wading pool with a bunch of water toys. Let him turn the water on and off so that he has control over it. (Just watch to make sure it doesn't get too hot.) Giving him choices about negotiable things, like what toys he has, which washcloth to use, etc. may also give him a sense of control and help to break down his resistance. You can give him a sponge bath while he's playing. You don't need to use a lot of soap. My kids tend to get dry skin and the pediatrician just told me not to use any... that the water will rinse off most dirt. Probably this is just a phase that will pass! Hang in there!

My little girl did the same thing around that age and we couldn't figure it out either, but she out grew it...give it time and be sweet about it he will get over it. Just keep giving him baths. Good luck!