Bath time blues

My 14 month old DD is terrified of the bath. We finally moved into a house with a proper bath when she was 12 months old and I had these fantasies of fun, peaceful, extended bath times every evening. But instead its a quick sponge off while she's trying desperately to climb out. She loves standing at the bath and putting her hands in and putting her hands under the running water but as soon as I try to put her in she gets really anxious. I think she's scared of slipping but she refuses to sit down. And last night I tried putting a towel on the bottom of the bath to give it some grip but this didn't seem to help. She's not hugely better in the shower either. Will this eventually pass? Is there anything I can do to help her feel more secure?

Oooh, I just saw your post and now I'm wondering if DS is the same..... he loves showers with DH but a few nights ago DH was sick so I took him in the shower with me - you should have seen him - No way Mummy, don't like you in here at all! So the next night I thought I'd do a bath instead, which he usually loves, though rarely gets. He got really really anxious this time too, fighting us when we tried to sit him down, happy to stand though. I even got in with him but he still wouldn't sit. In the end DH had to hold his hands while he stood at the side. We assumed it was his usual clinginess to DH, but maybe it's a bath thing too. We've said we'll just do a bath more often until he's used to it but not sure if that's the right approach. Could you try less water to start with? DS LOVES his swimming lessons each week - does your DD go?

My DD stands up on the edge, holding my hands, but that is just coz she is so clingy to me ATM.

Maybe you can do something fun in the bath, maybe blow some bubbles, or get a new bath toy to keep her interested. My DD has her brother to keep her entertained, so no toys necessary here.

I'm sure it will pass :) just like everything!

Hi JLeigh29 - we did try swimming lessons and they were a disaster. All the other babies were happily kicking around and my DD was gripping onto my neck for dear life. But she enjoys the beach and her paddle pool. They mysteries of babies huh?? I hope your DS gets over the bath fear soon too!!

Hi Yules - she has heaps of bath toys but one thing I haven't tried is bubble bath! I think that will be on the shopping list today. That will probably be novel enough to distract for a few moments!

You can put dye in the water to make it a coloured bath too, i think its just food dye. Get her to choose her fav colour. Does she have a fav toy or doll that can go in the bath?

Gotta be quick because I'm at work at the moment, but we've recently had some bath time blues in our house too! What we found was that if we left the tap running, just at a trickle, DS was into it. He loves putting a cup under the tap and playing with the running water. The minute we turn it off he wants out right away. Anyway, thought I would mention it as an idea cos it has literally been our saviour in the last week. HTH

My DS2 is 12months and he is the same - he just won't sit down. He doesn't seem to mind being in the bath though, but as long as he is standing! As soon as I gently force him down he'll burst into tears and try to climb out....so baths are usually rather quick for him - a quick sponge down. DS1 was the same....I still remember clearly going through that phase around the same age...constantly saying 'sit down' (and still go through phases every now and then with him too - though they only last a few days usually- he will be 3 in May).

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You can put dye in the water to make it a coloured bath too, i think its just food dye. Get her to choose her fav colour. Does she have a fav toy or doll that can go in the bath?

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I've been doing this since DS1 was about 18months....when once again we were struggling with bath time. I ask DS1 which colour he wants and it makes it more fun - though I know this probably won't help with you just yet (my DS1 didn't really understand colours til more 18months I think). But the colourful bath may help - we just use food colouring (doesn't stain the bath either).

I've also been meaning to go looking again for those bath crayons - to draw on the bath and wash away. Someone on BB suggested maybe Myers (I've looked almost everywhere else already...so hoping they'll have them). I remember having them as a kid - we had ones in the shape of a car....they were lots of fun.

I also do alot of singing and play music - I have alot of wiggle songs on my mobile - so this seems to help keep them happy too.

Also what about if you or your partner are in the bath with her?

Good luck...hopefully the phase will pass and then you'll have the issue of trying to get them out of the bath :shakehead: (pulling the plug helps there ;))

Well we had major progress tonight! DD is a bit too young to understand colours yet but we tried some bubble bath and she LOVED it! She still wouldn't sit down, but she wanted to stay in the bath and play with the bubbles and she even let me swing her through the water a bit. She's the cleanest she's been for ages LOL! Hopefully I'll be able to get her to sit down eventually!

Oh yeah- forgot about that- we use to do bubble bath too. Haven't done it for a while- might have to try it again...might help encourage DS2 to sit down (it did use to work for DS1).

We also blow bubbles too- i use to use the Johnson baby shampoo and fill a little bubble bottle - but i don't use Johnson's things anymore so totally forgot about this too.

Thanks for the reminder...will have a look for these tomorrow.

Hi Tilda - you mentioned that your dd likes to go in her paddle pool, could you possibly go swimming in the bath a couple of times - put on her togs and let her think it's play time rather than bath time?
Good luck :)