Just Got Back from Vacation and 17 M/o Now Afraid of Baths!

I get in the bath with my kids sometimes and give them baths so maybe try taking a bath with him.

Good luck
M.

You mentioned that he has a little tub. Maybe he is ready to move up into the big tub where he has more room to move around. If you have a hand shower, try that instead of the bath for a little bit and see if that helps.

It may or may not be cuz you went on vacation, our son went thru the same thing, he loved his baths and then around 15or so mths he started screaming in the tub and not wanting to be bathed. I just kept putting him in the tub and reassuring him its OK. After a week of it he finally got comfortable about wanting baths, after awhile he wanted to take showers and then didnt want the showers anymore so now he is back to wanting baths.

I think the reason our son didnt want the baths for awhile my husband brought him upstairs to bathe him and when he turned the water on our son pointed up as if he wanted the shower on him so he turned it on and that freaked him out.

Im sure its just a phase he will grow out of it eventually.

M., it is a faze my daughter went through the same thing. She use to love her baths and then about 15 months she started screaming and trying to get out of the tub, this has carried on untill recently, she is about 18 months. I don't why she hated her baths but just be consistent and try a bath seat if you don't have one already and start placing him in the big tub with his bath toys. He will scream and reach for you but if you keep up the routine he will eventully come around maybe sooner than my daughter did. Good luck.

My daughter did the same thing, at about the same age, She loved the bath one day, two days later, screamed the entire bath time. Maybe it's a phase? Good Luck!

I know it may sound silly but with the weather being warm, how about trying outside? In a little pool or a good size wash bucket?

Maybe get in with him just to play in the tub and not do any washing. Try to come up with games to play or toys to play with that make him want to sit down and do that particular activity. Maybe even blowing bubbles below his standing body so he would HAVE to sit to be able to enjoy them.

My first two boys were the same way. Only mine wasn't affraid of big tubs they were affraid of 'slippery' ones. They finally got over it but it took a good several months and I still made them take their baths (obviously) but would have to have them sit on a towel or mat.

He might even be a little Claustrophobic. Anyway, good luck.
C. R.

Good Morning M., It is definitely strange how things seem to go haywire with little ones on vacation. From not wanting to sleep, eat, potty, or get a bath. I haven't figured it out yet!

One thing You might try though is sit on the side of the bath with him in it and see if that helps. Play with his toys with him etc. Use a lot of bubbles, tell him he is a really big boy using the bath tube and not crying.

I am just guessing here M., but when you said he is back to his small tub is that like a portable baby tub? If so do you place it in the big tub or on the floor? Guessing again that it is in the big tub to cut down on mopping up after ;) Put some water in the big tub when he is in his little one and put bubbles in the big one to play with. They will float around him of course and he might think its fun.

Next thing is to just strip it on down and climb in with him ;)

Good Bless and Best of everything to you and yours
K. Nana of 5

I would definitely get in the bath with him. That's what I did with my daughter until she got comfortable in the big bath. It really helped. You might try one of those nursery rhyme cd's while he's in there to distract him. Sing along with the music too.
Hope this helps!