Suddenly bath time is not so fun

DS has always enjoyed his bath time, up until the last few days. Now he just cracks it, and its not just a little whinge - I'll put him in and he starts to cry uncontrollably. He's really sad about it, and its making me sad. He's as happy as larry before hand, I always do bath time when he's in a good mood. When you take him out bawling, put a towel around him and help him settle down, he'll look at you and giggle like it was all a big joke, but clearly there is something about it he is not enjoying.

We've tried him in the baby bath, in the big bath with me, and in the shower with DP. I've bathed him at night, and during the day. We only use a small amount of organic baby wash, both I and DP check the water temp to make sure its ok. I've kept his ears out of the water, but he's had them under the water in past baths and not cared about it. I've wrapped him in a towel and put him in gently so he feels more secure and doesn't startle at the sensation of going into the water (trick the hospital suggested when he was born). We've looked around to see if there is anything in his line of vision that would be scaring him.

He's not grizzly or hungry or tired when I get the bath ready....he just hates it right now and I can't figure out why?

Its only started in the last week, prior to that he loved kicking in the bath, I'd get big grins out of him. I hope it passes because bathtime was such a nice thing to do together. Now I'm a wreck after each one cos he gets so upset :(

Any suggestions? TIA

We've never had this problem (DS did go through a stage of trying to get out of the bath when he figured out how to stand up at 7 months old LOL).

Could you try topping and tailing him for a week and then try again, rather than persisting every day?

Does he have a favourite toy that can go in the bath with him?

Sorry, don't have anything better to suggest! I hope it gets better soon.

Tish
xx

Awww, poor you :hug:

Are your BF? could you time a bath so that you get in and BF him in there?

The other thing is, just give it a miss for a few days and see if that helps, but take him in to watch DH have a bath or yourself.
It could just be a stage, maybe he got hot or cold in there once before. DD had a couple of episodes like that early one, so we stopped and then reintroduced with no additives to the water at all (may be that his smell has changed too) and no toys and then added one thing at a time back into the water.

The other reason to give it a miss for a whiles is that your DS will pick up on your anxiety, you will worry that he will be upset again, so he will get upset again cos he can feel it in you IYKWIM...

Another suggestion is, is there anyone in your family that could be there, someone that he spends a lot of time with, even at a young age DD responded differently (and positivly) if my sister bathed her.

We bought a Tummy tub and bathed her in that, it was fantastic, it mimics the shape they took in the uterus and she loved it. Another option to try, but more costly (they are about $60), but DD used hers exclusivly until about 11mths and then used it occasionally until 14mths, she could still use it now in theory, but she loves the big bath.

GL, i hope it passes

Forget favourite toy - how about a favourite person? Is it out of the question to get in with him? Some kids start to need more assurance in water and having someone they implicitly trust in there with them can help them enjoy water and that sets them up for bigger bodies of water and being confident and safe in them for later on :)

ETA: Snap, Sammiejane!

Thanks for your replies.

Yes Mayaness, I regularly get in the bath with him - doesn't seem to be making any difference now that he's decided he doesn't like it for some reason.

I'll get DP to give it a go tonight, if he's still unhappy I'm gonna give him a break and just do pov washes for a few days. Then re-introduce next week.

Sounds like something he needs to go through ATM - it will pass :) Before you know it he'll be using the reclining end as a slide (though hopefully not, it makes such a mess!!).

i agree with Mayaness.. it will pass.. I just made those bath times quick and out and dressed.. I didn't ignore the crying as such but i talked soothingly to them did the job and got them out..

it does pass..

I thought all kids did this - guess not. Mine both Did it. Nate's was fleeting. Darcy's was horrendous until she was about 18months. So two totally different kids.
When he's in the bath is there a support or is he just floating and being held by you? Nate was much happier when we reintroduced his littel cloth sling. Guess he felt more supported. We also have a bubble solution and blower in the bathroom. Mainly for Darcy but really has worked for those days Nate isn't so keen and gives him something else to focus on.
Have you tried a really deep (relaxation) bath or a really shallow bath that he can just lie flat on his back in? We used to just fold up an old towel into quarters for Darcy and lie her on that in the bath. That had some success for a bit. Only had 5-10cm water. Some kids are extra sensitive too. Darcy's idea of too hot is way colder than my wrist temp says is ok.
I gree with the others though. Just give the baths a miss for a little bit and give him a wipe. It's not like he's really dirty.

My DD went through a phase like this (still sort of is). We now only bath her once or twice a week and then one of us just brings her into the shower with us for the other days. Works for us! Takes a bit of practice to get good at cleaning the both of you while keeping the little one warm and then the massive drying issue but I've now got it down to an art ;)

yes my ds did this too. We ended up just top and tailing him for a week and then gradually re-introduced it to him. We did have a support for him in the bath until he was too big for it.

Is it possible that the water level could be too much or too little??

As everyone else said, it is a phase they all go thru. We used to hop in with ds aswell and after a while it did make a difference.

Now we struggle to get him OUT of the bath.. lol but thats another story...