my baby boy is 5 months and just recently he has started screaming and hes terrified of baths, he used to enjoy bathtime and now he screams and seems terrified of the water! nothing has happend to him, he has no bad experience of going under or the water being too hot etc..has this happend to anyone else? he is such a happy little chap all the time, always laughing and smiling. can babies develop a sudden fear or an instant dislike to something? i feel stupid for answering this but would like to know if its normal??
2007-02-24 09:59:02 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I had the exact same problem with my son recently. Here's my experience.
My first child went through a phase when she was afraid of baths, but I suspect her fear was based on one incident when she was playing with the switch while the water was running and she turned the shower head on. We switched to showers for a while, and eventually she got back in the tub.
My second child, however, went through a strange phase around 11 months of age when he suddenly was afraid but I couldn't figure out why. There was no particular incident that seemed to trigger his fear. He had originally loved baths, and I even tried different bath mats, different water temperatures (from tepid to as warm as I felt was safe), with and without toys, with different kinds of toys, with and without a bath seat (since he was just barely old enough to be out of it), and even inside a small inflatable tub that goes inside your bathtub to cushion an older baby and be less threatening. Nothing worked. In the meantime, I showered with him -- I would take a shower and when I was finished bathing myself, my husband would bring my naked son to me. I would hold him in the shower and wash him in there. You have to be EXTREMELY careful if you choose to try this, since babies are very slippery, especially with soap on them!! My son loved to shower with me and almost fell asleep on me in there several times. Fortunately, my daughter is now 2 1/2 and she LOVES her baths. So my son would come to the bathroom with me when I bathed my daughter, and he'd reach in the tub and splash the water while I bathed her. I tried several times to get him in there while she was in there, but he'd freak out when his clothes came off (maybe the tub is cold??) Finally, only about a week ago, I managed to get him stripped down and he was willing to get in the tub. He stood up the entire time, but thoroughly enjoyed kicking and splashing in the water. By about his third bath with his sister, he was actually sitting in the tub enjoying himself. Now we're back to baths!
The moral of the story is that I think your baby is normal and I suspect that most babies go through this stage, although I have no idea why. It's difficult to work through, especially when you don't even know where the fear is coming from. But she will most likely outgrow it, one way or another. Don't force her to do anything that frightens her; it will only make it worse. Find something that works for you (like showering or sponge-bathing) and stick with it until she is ready again. Hang in there!
Here's my blog entry about the time my son finally set foot in the tub again: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Fdg3QMcyeqrOZb_gp34sg9QooaSTog--?cq=1&bid=262&yy=2007&mm=2
2007-02-24 10:19:23 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a daft question at all. As crying is the only way he can communicate at the moment you are trying to listen to him as any caring parent would. You may never know what triggered this particular current reaction but what he needs is reassurance.
When my children were very Small either my wife or I would sit in the bath first and support them while we washed them. We would splash our selves with the warm water first, always laughing as we did so. The sound of your voice is also important if you sound anxious because you can't work out what the problem is your baby will pick up on that, so chatter happily constantly, yes all the silly couchy coo noises, make sure your baby knows bath time is play time.
It will mean long bath times latter, but that's another problem for another day and is all part of them growing up.
We only ever used very soft face clothes with very mild soap in case some got in their eyes accidentally while they fidgeted. We also had a few toys (the ubiquitous yellow ducks and some fishes and whales) small soft plastic toys that they could hold.
Bath time was also fairly quick until they got to like the idea of being able to play. When they got a bit older I used to use the time to read bed time stories to them.
2007-02-24 10:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by noeusuperstate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My oldest son screamed during bath time.. crying terribly until the age of THREE. At 5 he still occasionally gets tears when I rinse his hair.
Make sure the water isn't too hot and just try to make bath time as quick as possible.
2007-02-24 10:05:19 · answer #3 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he had water on his face at some point and panicked. Easiest thing to do is take a bath with him slowly lowering him in while holding him close to you. If he still panicks try bathing with him in the room watching you "playing" in the tub and invite him in if he seems interested.
2007-02-26 04:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my daughter is 6 month old now and has decided to do the same over the last few weeks. she used to be happy (at least for about 4 minutes -enough time to wash), but now she starts screaming straight away.
Nothing has happened to her in the bath. maybe it's because they know that it'll be cold when they get out. That's when mine screams the most.
Let's just hope they get over it ;)
SOON! :)
2007-02-25 10:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by carmen1509s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very normal,
My 19 month old still screams the house down, she even screams when she sees the bath,
You have to be firm or it will always be difficult
Can he have a bath with you instead ??
It also can help with bonding.
2007-02-24 10:02:49 · answer #6 · answered by Elle J Morgan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe for a little while, take a shower, holding and cleaning him as well? If this doesn't help, then please consult his pediatrician for assistance. Have you ever left his side while he is in the tub? Please don't get mad at me for asking this. If he saw you get up to get a washcloth or something, and still be near by, he may have felt insecure from that. I wish you the best. Also, does he go to daycare? My concern would be if someone else gave him a bath, but hurt him somehow. Take care.
2007-02-24 10:06:55 · answer #7 · answered by SAK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you using a baby bath or just changed to the big bath. i found that my children preferred the baby bath and the transition to the 'big bath' was a bit traumatic. playing music seemed to help and lots of toys in the bath was a distraction.
2007-02-24 10:10:56 · answer #8 · answered by mboro_babe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is normal and nothing to worry about they all go through phrases like this, you must keep on putting him in the bath or he will develop a phobia about water, try to make it fun for him blowing bubbles etc, good luck
2007-02-24 19:51:33 · answer #9 · answered by tracy w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes its normal to develop a fear of water, try this : put a swimming costume on and get in the bath with him! it does work, believe me! it will give him confidence with you in there as well
2007-02-25 09:17:07 · answer #10 · answered by chakra girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋