My son used to have baths in our kitchen sink but he started to started standing up and grabbing onto my shirt trying to pull himself out. I try to give him a bath in the bath tub but he freaks out and starts crying histerically flailing around and slipping while trying to get out of the tub. I don't know what to do with him. He hasn't had a bath in a couple of weeks - I wipe him down with a wet wipe everyday... But I really need some advice on how to help him take a bath. I tried toys but he doesn't care about them...and just wants out.
2006-06-05 15:29:48 · 21 answers · asked by mommy_2_little_man 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Try taking him with you in the shower. My son freaked out about baths because he didn't like washing his hair, but he did good in the shower. Then I would put him in the tub with me once every couple of weeks and just let him play with toys. Then he started liking them again.
2006-06-05 15:36:33 · answer #1 · answered by 2¢ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son hated baths since he was little. So, when he was able to stand on his own I let him take showers with me. He would get to play with the water, but not have to worry about the scary feeling of having to sit in it. He is now 20 months old and doesn't mind that I am no longer in the tub with him and has just started to try sitting in the water. He loves his showers and asks for them all the time. Another thing I ALWAYS do is: make shower time QUICK!!! Many parents confuse this time as a long time thing... It shouldn't be. I just set the water, get his body wet, lather him up with an all in one tearless bath gel, and rinse him off. Because the baths are so quick, he is always eager for the next one so he can see how many things he gets to doin the water before I have to get him out. Good Luck!!!
2006-06-06 21:03:13 · answer #2 · answered by Mexi Poff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try taking a bath with him. My son loved to get in the bath tub with me. Try going back to the baby bath tub. Also if he doesn't like when you pour the water over his head I read in one of my baby magazines about a women who bought a watering can and used that. It made the child more comfortable and was fun. You child is going through a phase. My son went through the same thing and we had plenty days that he would just scream and holler. Now he is three and a half and as soon as he gets up in the morning he says, "Mommy we need to get a shower we stink!" He makes sure he has his shower everyday. So you see don't worry he will out grow this phase. GOOD LUCK!!!!
And remember to stay calm, if you loose your cool then it will just make things worse!
2006-06-05 23:43:48 · answer #3 · answered by I love my babies 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he is frightened from the slipping. Try to find out what is bothering him so much. Do not rely on wet wipes. They are not good for the skin. Try putting him back in the sink. Adjust little things to figure out what is distressing him. Adjust the tempurature, adjust the bath bubbles, hold him tightly to comfort him, while you wash small parts of his body in the warm soothing water. Try some of the soothing "bedtime" baby washes with lavendar, or eucalyptus, they can have quite an effect if he is not hysterical already. He probably just liked pulling up while in the sink to get a different view of his world. Let him play with you close at hand. My daughter used to love to play "rain" in the sink spayer...she wanted to wear her raincoat, and rainhat and even little red galoshes, she is now 25 and we have the most darling photos to remember it all by. Just help make it a soothing or playful experience.
When you do eventually move him back to the "big boy" tub, talk with him for a long time in advance. Make it seem like a big deal that he is growing up to use the big tub. Make it feel more secure to him by putting a big bath towel in the bottom and non-skid tread or mat under it, to keep him from slipping.
As you already know, one little fright can turn into a huge ordeal. It is better to try to prevent most of those little slips and startles so they do not develop into huge ordeals for him and for you.
2006-06-05 22:43:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a couple of others have suggested...take a shower with him. My son loved it! Another thing you could try is to get one of those little inflatable bathtubs thats made to sit inside of the big tub. The one I had for my son was in the shape of a duck! It even quacked when you pushed on the nose. Maybe it's the size of the tub that scares him. Just be patient and reassure him that there's nothing to be scared of and that mommy is right there to make sure that he is ok. It will pass. It's just one of the many phases that kids his age go through. Good luck dear!!
2006-06-06 11:25:45 · answer #5 · answered by Justinsmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try to find one of those cheap inflatable 2 ring pools that are like 4 inches deep.(dollar store usually has them) Blow it up and place it in the living room or the room he spends the most time in, fill it a little and place toys in it. Strip him down but don't make him get in. let him sit beside it and play. It may take a while before he is ready to get in but playing in the water will get him at least a little bit clean. This is what we used to do for my son when he quit taking baths in the sink. It took a couple times before it worked but eventually it did.
2006-06-05 23:07:50 · answer #6 · answered by crazytater 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I aggree in trying to have a bath with him if that doesn't work put him in the shower! My son used to hate it but i just never gave in. I made him have at least one a day and now he loves it and after tea asks if he can have a bath or shower. Just stick with it. I'm guessing its a phase and if you give in he made be scared of the bath for years to come!!
2006-06-06 00:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by bec 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just for the bonding sake when my daughter was younger and up to a year ago i would bathe with her, at first i would just be in the tub with her to make sure she was safe then she started the splashing stage and once she started standing on her own i would take her in the shower with me. if you don't want your child to see you naked get in with a bathing suit on and give him a bath or shower that way. it's comforting to them to have you that close. just try making a game out of it. like it's time to wash the sweet baby and sing songs. my daughter loves to hear me singing while i bathe her. gl
2006-06-05 22:37:56 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See if he enjoys taking a shower. Get in there with him, wearing a bathing suit if it makes you more comfortable. Or have him shower with dad. Get one of those hoses things that brings the shower down to his level. Being on his feet might help him feel more in control.
Alternatively, get in the bath with him. If he is afraid for some reason, that may make him feel more secure. Again, wear a bathing suit if that makes you feel more comfortable.
2006-06-05 22:37:50 · answer #9 · answered by just♪wondering 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used bath paints and crayons... they get to write on the wall without getting into trouble. I only put a couple inches of water in the tub, too.. that hekped.
2006-06-05 22:39:15 · answer #10 · answered by wicked_red 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋