Bathtime troubles

[Bonfire2010]

My 14 month old used to love his bath, but for the last 4 nights has screamed the place down as soon as he sees the water and once in, tries to climb out and gets very very upset. Any ideas on what we can do to help him enjoy bathtime again?

[Fuschia]

I would either get in with him and/or pop him

In during the day fully clothed to play with a squeezy bottle of water or pouring and sorting macaroni or donething else thst lends itself to doing in the tub

[sophiechristophy]

Try the shower instead? Or just take a break from baths for a bit?

[suzilucy]

Is your lo teething?

My little girl does exactly the same when she has a sore bottom from teething. The fear that the water will hurt her continues for a couple of days after her precious behind has cleared up. When it's really bad she clings onto my husband and I for dear life not wanting to go anywhere near the water so we just squeeze a wet flannel over her and down her back instead.

Suzi

[Belle]

think my son went through this at similar age - and has def complained about it hurting if for e.g. he's had an upset tummy. We just gave baths a break for a bit or went longer between them I think, didn't push it, and I think got some new bath toys to tempt him back when he was ready. Now can't get him out of there...

[Knomester]

We have been through similar with Baby Knomester. We never really understood what it was that upset him, but as Fuschia recommends, we just got in the bath with him and we do the same now if, for example we're away and it's a different bathroom which can sometimes freak him out. We also changed from a bath every evening to every other evening or even every third day unless he is particularly mucky!

[nylonmeals]

Our son went through the same thing around the same age. Under duress he would get in the bath and then stand up and wouldn't sit and hated water on him. Our break through was when we had baths less often (there's no reason why they need one a day) and made it into more of a special occassion. So we have them in the afternoon, we spend quite a long time in the bath and we have bubbles, sometimes music playing on the radio and toys and it's now a lot of fun and he actually asks for baths. Good luck!

[Bonfire2010]

Thanks all! I did try having a bath with him, but he just used me as a climbing frame to get out...will try leaving it for a few days and see what happens.

[Fuschia]

Let him stand beside the bath while you are in snd play with boats ...

[tyke]

We had the same problem with our 18 month old recently. The breakthrough for us was that we got the shower going while holding it(we have a shower-into-the-bath arrangement) just before he got in and he wanted to play with it so much that he didn't even notice us putting him in! Once he'd got tired of the shower, he did briefly ask to come out but was distracted by his toys. He now still asks for the shower to be put on before he gets in but now hardly plays with it and is as relaxed as he was before! Good luck!