Just recently about 2-3 weeks ago, my 15 mo old son does not want to get in the bathtub and refuses to sit in the tub. We have never had a problem with bathtime and in fact he always loved his baths. I don't remember anything happening recently that may have made him afraid. It started with him not liking the running water and now the minute we put him in, he stands up and cries. So, bathtime has become a race to get him clean and out of the tub. Anyone have any experience with this, is it just a phase or does anyone have any suggestions on making this better. We've tried new toys, getting in the tub with him...nothing seems to work. Any advice is appreciated.
I think it is just a phase because my girls went through that also. they liked the bath as infants, got to about a year, and didnt like it. that lasted about 6mths or so. and now they like it again, and i cant get them out....so keep trying...good luck
Hi, I can't really give you too much advice but I can tell you that it's normal. My son did the same thing. He loved his bath one day and the next he seemed to be scared to death. We just made bathtime as quick as possible for him. I think it sounds like you've tried everything that I would try. Does he like music, my son loved music? Try singing songs to him, that always calmed my son. I think it's a phase that they go through and there's not too much you can do about it. Don't let him see or hear the running water. Also, when my son was older he went through another phase when he thought he was going to be sucked down the drain with the water. You may want to make sure to take the baby out before you start to drain the water.
I didn't have too much trouble with my daughter, but she did go through a faze where she was afraid of the drain. I am a working full-time Mom and most times my daughter took a bath with me as it was quicker (I always washed her first, then took a quick shower after handing her out to my husband). I didn't have the problem of her standing up, slipping or fears as I was right in there with her. We had a little routine where we would read a book in the tub every day, or at one point sing certain songs. On weekends we would add toys. A lot of people thought I was nuts, but it worked for me, and it sure was easier washing her hair that way! She felt very secure and I never had a problem with bath time. Now that she's almost six, she takes her own baths, with an occasional shower with Mom. There are times when she has to hop in the shower and have her hair washed before going to school and it's so much easier with the shower at this age!
My daughter went through a period when she did not want to get in the bath, I didn't make a big deal out of it I would run the water when she wasn't around and see if she was interested. If not, I would wash her by the tub and tell her we will try again on her next bath day. Eventually she was back in and now doesn't want to get out!!
Good luck!
Hi J.. We just started having this problem with our 2 year old and my husband came up with adding just a little Gerber’s Bath Wash under the faucet to make some bubbles (we were trying to find something that wouldn’t sting his eyes). Now he’s thrilled to get in and since it’s bath wash the bubbles fade pretty quickly so he goes back to playing with his toys and daddy can get back to the business of washing. He also loves listening to “Kids Corner” on 88.5 WXPN. The Univ of Pennsylvania has a kids radio program starting at 7pm on weeknights and songs keep him fairly well entertained – especially when it comes time to wash his hair! Good luck to you!
Did he recently just start walking? I know when our daughter began to walk...anytime we tried to sit her down, (in the stroller,high chair, tub) she would protest as if we were doing her a disservice to say "I'm a big girl" It ended after a while. The only thing I can think of to is maybe this is an age where they realize that they are afraid. I would try a new bathtub toy to see if that would distract him. we also used a bathseat. www.livegreeneasy.com
Hi J.. I have a 2yr old son. He went through the same thing at around the same age as your son now. He loved getting in the tub and playing w/ the bubbles. Then all of the sudden one day he decided he was terrified of taking a bath. I tried everything that everyone below has suggested. I found that the only thing I could do was make bathtime as quick as possible for both our sakes(Oh, and also you can try to make bath time a little earlier so that your son isn't overly tired... which makes the situation even worse). All of the sudden one day, my son decided he loved bath time again and screamed when it was time to get out. It seems like it was just a phase that went as quickly as it came. Hang in there!
Unfortunately I don't have any advice but I am dealing with the same thing. My son is 20 months & does the same thing. I have a 5 year old girl & 4 month boy & even tried to say see how much fun they are having - also tried shower & going in with him. My daughter never did this so I'm wondering what to do to - it makes it really hard at bathtime - especially with the other kids.
K. B
i've read that sometimes kids start to become afraid of things like being sucked down the drain. or did he fall?
My sister-in-law was having a problem giving her daughter Sarah a bath, when she was probably the same age as your son. my daughter Lilly is only 6 weeks older than Sarah... anyway, I suggested putting Sarah in the tub with Lilly, so she could see how much fun it is. It worked! now sarah has a blast in the tub.
do you have any friends with a kid that he could play in the bathtub with? It could help!!!
or, so you use bubble bath? my daughters LOVE bubble baths!!!
My son also did this. He LOVED the bath one day and the next he WOULD NOT getin. I tried everything I could think of, then I just decided to make him get in the shower with me. It worked. He hasn't taken a bath since, but at least he's getting clean in the shower!! Good Luck
