Bath Time

My daughter is almost 2 she went through a phase where she hated bath time. It only lasted for a month or so. I tried letting my mother bathe her and she screamed and cried with her as well. I just fought with it for a while then started trying new things in the tub. New toys new games more water less water. Finally she started calming down now she screams and cries when bath time is over and will tell me she wants her bath and cries if i tell her no. I know its hard but maybe you just have to let her out grow this phase. Be patient and try new things every time she is in the tub. You could even try a bubble machine to keep her attention on the bubbles instead of the bath. Good luck.

My little girl was like that. I just rode it out til she got over her fear. Please e-mail me some info about working at home.
Mother of two 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son.

If I were in that situation, I think I'd try to take her to the store and tell her that we're picking out "bath toys that are only for playing with while we take baths". Another thing you could try is taking baths with her. I also find that if I hike up my pants and put my feet in while I'm bathing the kids, they think it's cool. It's kinda like I'm in there with them. It's a lot easier to wash their hair to.

If you don't have one, maybe try one of those hand held shower sprayers. They have the cheap rubbery kind that sticks over your tub faucet and spray out a shower head looking piece at the other end. Then you don't have to get into any plumbing or expensive shower head issues. My son just loves to be sprayed with the shower head. Also, maybe don't drain the tub (if you do) while your daughter is still in the tub. Then she won't hear the draining noise in case she is afraid like the other mom mentioned. We wrap our son up in his towel they take him to his room to dry him off and lotion him up. We close the door to the bathroom when we leave. Once he's done getting dressed and off playing with toys I go back and clean up the bathroom. Good luck.

My son did the same thing when he reached about a year old. He finally got old enough that he was able to communicate that he was scared that he was going to go down the drain... He just had to grow out of it. Sorry I couldn't dispense any advice but perhaps that's the psychology of the problem...

My son was the same way. Until he noticed the hand held shower sprayer! I think that is a good idea to try. Also, maybe some safe bath toys could help as well. Now my son is 19 months and cannot wait for bathtime. The issue I have now is getting him out! Good luck.

I think this is just a phase and she will grow out of it, but for your sake, I hope soon. Try letting her play with a toy suitable for bath time about ten minutes before the bath, let her take that toy with her to bath and see if that helps distract. Also, have you tried facing her in a different direction or using a different tub? If possible, use the kitchen sink a few times. I know it'll be messy but maybe worth it if you don't hear the screaming. Good Luck!

My son started doing that out of no where around that age as well. No real reason, and he quit, some months later, just as abruptly as he started. I wouldn't worry, just deal with it the best you can and it will eventually come to a close.

My little girls liked shower time, have you tried that? You have to be ready which can be tough. But maybe she will be a good cuddlier then.

My 2-year old went through this at about the same time. We started putting bubbles in the tub, or those really cool bath-tablets that change the water color, swapped out toys, sang different songs, etc. Eventually he remembered that bath-time is fun. It's just like he forgot for a little while. This too shall pass... (then another phase will begin!) ;-)