Every night is the same nightmare. She screams and is seems very afraid. How can I make her enjoy baths again. She used to bathed every evening with her sister and this used to be a fun and pleasant part of our routine. Now it is a crazy part of our routine. I have tried bubble and new toys. Nothing works. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks in advance.
Caroline Brossoit
2007-02-19 02:07:12 · 12 answers · asked by CaroBross 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I had a similar problem with 2 of my kids, I realized that they were not afraid of the tub, but of water in their face and ears. I bought a hat that kept water out of their face while rinsing and it helped a little. My daughter was a bigger challenge though. If I were my neighbors I would have called the cops thinking that someone was being killed in my house. I did not hurt her at all and tried to be soothing but nothing helped. I had to wash her hair. At least you know you are not alone if you don't find your answer. If nothing helps just remember it won't last forever, she will eventually outgrow it. Good Luck.
2007-02-19 02:53:04 · answer #1 · answered by Athena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah 2 year olds! I love that age! They think everything is an adventure and if it's not adventurous enough they will make it that way. Best idea I can come up with is tub toys! Take her to the store with you an let her pick out some squirt toys and some other kind of bath time toys. Use them to distract her for a while and once she gets bored with them (which in a 2 year old can happen very quickly) and she tries the makeshift waterslide again explain to her that she could fall down and hurt herself really bad if she continues. If that still doesn't work I suggest getting some of those nonslip stickers that you stick to the bottm of the tub so you don't fal in the shower and stick them to the back of the tub where she likes to slide. She will soon discover that she can't slide down so easily anymore and if she does it doesn't feel very good to have her bottom all scratched up. I hope this helps. Good luck. P.S. The bath crayons are a good idea too but only if you explain to her that these crayons are only for the walls around the bath tub. She can't write on the walls with other crayons like she can with those because they won't wash off like the bath crayons will.
2016-03-29 02:42:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My youngest suddenly became afraid of the drain. What I did was allow her to shower. She thinks she's grown up and we have a rubber mat in the tub same as with a bath so she doesn't fall. It works, she gets clean and bath time is pleasant once again. She's now 5 and actually runs to the shower to get cleaned up for bed. Or, since she's small, maybe put her in the sink and wash her. I'd go over the tub and ask what scares her about it though. If it's the water, explain it's just like when it rains outside, it won't hurt her and you wouldn't let anything hurt her at all. Being soothing about it and finding alternatives can make it easier on all of you. I've also showered with my youngest to show her it's ok to be in the water. I have 3 children.
2007-02-19 02:25:20 · answer #3 · answered by Melanie A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi - I have twin boys that are 2. You are not alone in this. My boys have just become the same way when it comes to bath time. Nothing has happened to them-there's been no incident. They used to love the bath and liked playing with all their bath toys but now i can't get them in the bath. As we have a large spa bath, my husband got in the bath with them the other night and i watched over encouraging my boys that everything is fine. What i have come to the conclusion is that they are afraid to have their hair washed and the water splashed over their face-hence why they do not want a bath. I roll up a dry face cloth and put it over there forehead to catch most of the water and now make a game out of it all as i am pouring water over their head to wash the soap out. Its working.
Good luck - i believe it's a stage they are going through after all it must be scary to them to have someone pour water over your head when you are not really expecting it.
2007-02-19 22:37:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can bathe her in the sink... it's smaller and maybe it won't be as terifying... you can also play games and pretend the tub is a pool and get her floaties and beach towel or some of things you use to go swimming that might help and if all fails just get some of those huggies wash clothes with the soap built in and give her a bath outside of the tub until she is ready for the tub again...
2007-02-19 02:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by B-E-B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you stopped bathing her with her sister. If you have maybe she want her back in with her. I would put the two of them in the tub at the same time and after they are washed and played for a bit, get your spouse to take the other child out and you stay with her and she can play a bit longer. See if that works. If if doesn't, maybe try and go in the tub with her. Good luck.
2007-02-19 05:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by HAH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the fear thing...did she slip and get some water in hers eyes or mouth?
Also, I read somewhere that some children are scared of the bath tub because they see the water going down the drain and fear that they will be sucked down too.
If you haven't yet, did you ask her what's wrong and offer some suggestions of what it might be where she can tell you yes or no?
Maybe you caould also talk to her about it while she is still dressed and no water is in the tub yet...good luck.
2007-02-19 02:19:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried taking a bath with her? sometimes that can make children feel a lot better if they see their parents doing it. or get in the bath first and show her it's ok. if it gets too serious you might need to have her talk to a child psychologist to see what triggered it. good luck
2007-02-19 02:13:57 · answer #8 · answered by Amanda P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a bath w/ her... that will work for now... I also found that the colors to draw on the tub w/ really amuse them.
Best of luck!
2007-02-19 02:16:01 · answer #9 · answered by Bio Instructor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Caroline,
I hate to ask this but is there any way anything traumatic could have happened to her?? She could be relating the bath to something unpleasant.....a child needs to burn its hand only once on a hotplate to develope a fear and never do it again.....please look into it
2007-02-19 02:14:38 · answer #10 · answered by Penelope 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋