Hi, ladies.
Within the last couple of weeks my 16 month old daughter has decided she no longer likes bath time. However, within the last week it has become much more intense. It started last week, she got very upset during the bath and the toys, the cajoling, the comforting weren't helping. I decided to get in with her thinking that might help...it didn't. She ended up throwing up all over me and herself. She is currently on some antibiotics for an ear infection and I had just given her the medicine prior to the bath, so though I thought it was odd, I just chalked it up to that, after finally getting her cleaned up, she was happy and content and able to keep down other fluids, etc. Last night my husband bathed her and she got very upset and just spit up a little bit. At this point we started to think that maybe she is really that scared and is working herself up so much that she vomits. Ok. Tonight. I was trying to make her more comfortable, so I brought her into our shower with me. We played with her bath toys for awhile with no water, then just a little, she seemed fine. But when I turned on the water she started crying immediately and threw up within seconds. Then I would try to rinse her off quickly and as soon as I would get done ( and believe me I was moving fast she'd vomit again...so this process repeated a few times. It was horrible. After finally getting out mostly puke-free she is white as a ghost. Fed her some crackers and pedia-lite and she's finally got some color back, thank goodness. Needless to say, we will be sponge-bathing for a little while before trying to acclimate ourselves back into bath-time....but my question is: do you think this is happening because she is scared and has a sensitive stomach or do you think that there might be something else going on? Thanks, mommas!
A friend of mine has a son that would get so freaked out at bathtime he'd poop in the tub! She wound up using wet wipes and damp wash cloths instead of baths for several months before he finally warmed up to the idea of an actual bath. So not weird. Try what you think will work to get him cleaned up and try actual baths again sometime down the road.
My son:
liked baths/bath time
hated baths
liked baths
hated baths
liked baths
hated baths
liked baths
hated baths
liked baths
hated baths
liked baths...
And now hates them again.
It is phases.
He would get all worked up/upset about it too, just like your child.
No reason.
Just did not like it.
Then would like it.
Then would not like it.
Then would like it.
Then would not like it.
etc., etc., etc.,
There was a time, I'd wash him, outside in the garden, with the sprinklers.
He'd do that. And not even know, I was 'bathing' him.
We have a fence, so no neighbors can see in.
Poor mommy, poor baby! Yes, I think she's really scared right now. It's a common occurrence somewhere between ages one and two – bathtime suddenly becomes a horror, for no apparent reason. And it can pass just as quickly.
If you have a big enough kitchen sink, you might sponge-bathe her there, and gradually try to introduce just an inch or two of water. She may feel safer in a more contained environment. You could also let her use your faucet sprayer (with your help and guidance) to rinse her toys, or fill small containers with water, and eventually spray her feet, and then other body parts. More control might give her a greater sense of safety and fun.
Also, it really doesn't help if a child's fear is discounted, so be careful not to tell her there's nothing to be afraid of. Much better: "Oh, you feel scared, sweetie! That's okay, we don't have to use the big tub/shower. Let's find other ways to get you clean!" Fortunately, at this age, memories don't usually last more than a few weeks, so you'll probably be able to work up to baths again as if nothing has happened.
maybe it's some kind of inner ear thing that is making her woozie when she is put into the water??? the motion of the water may precipitate it???
If she has a fever, the sudden change in temperature (either hot or cold) might be causing her to vomit. I would call your pediatrician and let them know what is going on. They might have more insight as well.
my first thought is to check the info with the antibiotic, see if it's supposed to be taken a certain way. with food with out.
I would definately skip water for awhile.
She could be afraid of the sound or feel of the water or dislike how splashing feels. It might be disconcerting to her to feel buoyancy in water if the tub was filled too high. But for now, try bathing her with just a warm, soapy washcloth outside of the tub and rinse her with a clean wet washcloth.
In the meantime you can try to help ease her anxiety by setting up a chair at the sink and stand with her for "sink time." Fill it up with a couple of toys of her choice and start with just an inch or so of warm water. See how she does with that. Every day, do it again and add a little more water each time as long as she'll let you. At some point, move up "sink time" to tub time but treat the tub like the sink and let her choose when to get in with the toys. A bath only needs to be a couple of inches of water and not up over the belly. Giving her more control over the environment might help her with the fear and your reassurances will show her that you're keeping her safe.
antibiotics really reek havoc on the stomach. My son was throwing up while he was on antibiotic. Robin M might be on to something. My son ended up with an inner ear infection after the middle ear infection. Inner ear infections cause balance problems.
OR, I wonder if the first time was because of the antibiotics, and she now associates the bath with throwing up??? I'd call the doctor.
