My 6 mos old son HATES his bath- he screams like I am pulling him limb from limb - no matter what I do! I have tried the bath in the morning, the afternoon, the evening (before bed time - that's when I usually do it). I have tried in the sink, in the white safety first tub, in the blue bath tub, with warmer water, with colder water...
he just cries, no matter what! My daughter always loved her bath, so I am at a loss of how to deal with this! I told my husband we made progress - he only cried tonight, and didn't scream at all! I use the white Safety First bathttub with the sling in it, and put a teddy bear shaped full body sponge on top of that, and when I put him in, I cover him with a washcloth and gently pour warm water over that to keep him as warm as possible.
Amy advice would be most welcome!
Hi! Just wanted to say that my son went through this too. It lasted a few weeks then was just miraculously (and thankfully) over. I did put a little space heater in the bathroom and that probably helped. Good luck!
Hi! I had the same problem with my son when he was around the same age (he is 8 months now). He would start crying from the time the water was turned on and up until he was dressed. So my husband and I took him into the bathroom and first played peak-a-boo and smiled and cooed while I held my son. Then I got into the bath tub with him and slowly, slowly lowered him into the water while my husband sang some songs. We have never had a problem since then, he loves it now! I think they become more aware of things around them and can get scared, so doing it with your son will help him relax. Hope this works!
Do you have a bath mat, non-slip surface, or maybe a towel in the tub? Perhaps that would help? Blow bubbles, skip the hair washing for a couple of tubs? finger painting on the walls...
My son, who is now 25, also hated baths from the day he was born. It was such an ordeal to bathe him, I did it as little as possible. His siblings were calmed and relaxed by baths, so they were bathed at night. Baths were anything but relaxing for him, so he was bathed in the morning and it happened only as needed. What I didn't know then is that my son has Asperger's Syndrome. It comes with lots of tactile and sensory issues. What I wish I had known then, is that the inconsistency in bath time only made things worse. He would probably have done much better if I had bathed everyday at the same time with the same routine. Your son may have different issues, but it's worth a try. I also agree with another poster, that he is old/big enough to go with the regular bathtub. It may help.
We do showers with my girls. They loved me holding them (out a shirt on so they dont slip). They still love showers.
At 6 months I think you could pass on the sling and try just the tub. Also check the teddybear sponge often as it can chill quickly. You may want to just use the tub and keep the washcloth on him. One other point, you really don't NEED to bath your child everynight so maybe now that it's getting colder bathe your son 2 or 3 times a week. That may help. Since the bath isn't calming your son it doesn't need to be part of the bedtime routine. Hope it helps!
My daugther is 26 months and still has times when she hates the bath. She hated it completely (total scream fest for every bath until about 12 months old). I don't know why, but then almost all of a sudden she stopped and was fine with it. The a few months later, hated it again. I figure it is just phases. She still hates getting her hair washed (but loves swimming - who knows why things are the way they are). My advice is to get the bath over with as quickly and calmly as possible and then move on to the more pleasant aspects of your day. Someday, bathtime won't be so unpleasant! Good Luck
It's probably just a phase, I wouldn't worry about it. I would just sponge him down everyday since he hates the bath right now. Give it a while and then try again.
Or, you could try taking him in the shower with you...
My kids also hated the bath when they were little so I bathed with them and they never screamed again - my husband would hand them to me one at a time and then he would towel them off when they were done and so I would get the bathtub to myself when they were done!
I run the shower before bath time to steam up the bathroom and keep it a little warmer. He may be upset b/c he is cold. Hope this helps!
Hey E.!!!
Have you thought about putting him in the shower with you or your husband? We have done this with all of our 3 youngest, not because anybody disliked the bath, but more because it saved us a lot of time.
Give it a try and let us know how it goes.
Merry Christmas!!!
Cindy
Try toys! Make sure there is a lot of water. Use a toddler holder seat so he can sit up.
M. - SAHM of three and WAHM!
