Bath Time - York,PA

Updated on September 24, 2009
M.M. asks from York, PA
20 answers

Good morning, ladies! My daughter, who just turned 3, has suddenly started freaking out at bath time. I have always been gentle with her and lean her head back to rinse the soap. She has thick hair so I have to rinse it really well. All of the sudden she started freaking out and it causes water to go on her face. She gets so upset. I try to tell her it is only water but it doesn't seem to help. This usually ends her bath time because she is upset and wants to get out. Normally she really enjoys playing in the bath tub. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to rinse her hair or to calm her so she doesn't freak out?? Thank you so much!!

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K.G.

answers from Pittsburgh on

At Walmart (I think), they have this visor that won't let the water go in the eyes. Also try swimming goggles. She might like that.

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J.A.

answers from Allentown on

Try having her keep a washcloth on her eyes in case the water drips - like they do at the hair salon!!!!

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C.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

My advice is to first use a cup to rinse her head like this, you can get them at target, walmart, babies r us, etc. it has a rubber top that "seals" to the forehead. i used it with my 2 yr old and unless she moves, it really keeps 98% of the water off her face.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2793366

if she's still scared, have her hold a small dry towel over her eyes, that should keep her face 100% dry!

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M.H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I saw a great-looking product at WalMart (I think they may also have them at Target). It was like a cup w/ a handle, but one section of the cup had a soft piece where u would put the cup against the child's forehead and pour the water back to rinse shampoo. Your daughter might have a good time playing with the cup in the water too. I haven't tried this product yet, but if you do let us know, please.

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N.H.

answers from Harrisburg on

I second the cup the last poster mentioned. I got one because all my boys freak out when I try to rinse their hair (twins who are 2 1/2 and an almost 4 year old). You just have to get them to tilt their head slightly up and no water goes in their eyes! I usually get them to look at something on the wall and put one hand under their chin to make sure they don't look down, other hand holds the cup!

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M.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

If you have one, maybe try a detachable shower head to rinse? My mom always used to lean my head back under the faucet itself, and tell me to look up at the sky!
You could try that, although I would suggest putting some kind of cushion over the faucet in case she gets upset! You could also let her try holding a washcloth over her eyes so no water gets in them.
One last thought, are you washing her hair every night? If so, maybe try every other for a little while and see if she can relax and have fun at few times if all else fails! :) Good luck!

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R.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi M.,
I have had this same problem with my kids, I will tell you the 3 things I have done to make it better.
1. They sell a visor that keeps the water out of their face.
2. After the bath I would lay them on the kitchen counter and wash their hair in the sink, my daughter liked it she pretended to be at the salon.
3. Put a dry wash rag over the face and keep the head tilted back.
Hope this helps.
R. C

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J.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

If the water in her face in what is bothering her. You might want to try the bath visor sold a walmart. They have many different cute animal shapes and it will keep the water out of her face. Good luck

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B.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

My middle son was the same way as soon as the water touch his head he'd scream. What I tried was giving him a cup to start to rinse himself off then I took over with the shower head. He was so distracted playing with cup he eventually forgot he hated that part. Good luck. Bernadette

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Hi M.,
Have you tried having her hold a washcloth over her face? That way it will not only keep the water out of her face, but will also keep her from seeing you coming.
Best of luck!

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J.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I purchased something that I've used for a long time. I think I got it through One Step Ahead and it's basically a pitcher with a rubber grip on the front and it prevents water from going in their face. You basically put the rubber part up to their forehead and dump the water back. My son loves it and it really does help keep the water away from their eyes and is a great thing to help rinse their hair. I can also say, that at around 2 1/2 my son just went through a phase of not liking the bath and within a few weeks he got over it. So, the item to rinse might help or she may just be going through a phase and you just need to wait it out. Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

M., I had a lot of issues with my daughter and hair washing as well. what has worked is having my daughter fold up a dry wash cloth and hold it over her eyes while i rinse her hair. that is really the only thing that helps us get through that ordeal.

A.

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K.N.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Both of my daughters went thru that stage and as quick as it started is as quick as it ended. If you want a more permanent solution try this really great product called a "bath visor" that keeps the water and shampoo out of a childs face. (i have no affiliation to this product) I have seen them online at BabiesRUs.com. (I attached a link) Try one of these. They are cute and really help kids deal with the "bath time" issues that hair washing creates. Good luck.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=279239...

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

M.,
When my son was little like that I had him lie down in the tub and I rinsed the front & top that way, then when he sat up (Or I lifted his head onto my arm), I just had to rinse the back....He liked to lie on his back and listen to the water go s-l-o-w-l-y down the drain!

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

They have those visors so water doesn't go in the face. I have been thinking about getting one of those hoses with a spray on the end that I used to use on our dog years ago for one of my triplets who does the panic thing sometimes. You can buy the expensive hand held shower head that detaches so the entire family can use it, or get the inexpensive rubber kind of hose that attaches to the tub faucet and comes right off when you're done. That's the kind I was going to get.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, M.:

Talk with your local beauty salon person.

Good luck. D.

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E.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

M., allow your daughter to wash her face herself and splash water around on her own. Use dry shampoo for awhile until she gets used to splashing her face on her own.
Hope this helps
El W.

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K.L.

answers from Erie on

This doesn't directly answer your question, but I will offer it anyway. One of my guys, at the same age, was very reluctant to get water on his face in the tub. At around the same time, we started him in swim lessons. He learned to blow bubbles and, eventually, to put his whole face in the water. He became quite the happy little swimmer, and now he loves his baths -- even puts his whole head under the water to rinse out the shampoo. Just a thought . . .

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T.H.

answers from Johnstown on

Try giving her a washcloth for over her eyes while you rinse her hair. I finally got my 4-year-old to let me rinse her hair without a struggle. Other than that, patience is the key.

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Y.A.

answers from Harrisburg on

M. I saw that they sell this thing at Target (it was in the baby section) that it almost looks like a hat/headband that covers the childs face so that when you are rinsing their hair, the water stays out of their face and rinses backwards. I have never personally used it, but thought it looked pretty cool and helpful. Let me know if you decide to use it and if it works.

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