Very Wierd

It is beautiful out side now! How about a baby pool and a hose in the backyard for now? I know that you would still need to have her overcome the fear by winter, but maybe if you dropped the subject for a while, let her "bathe" in the backyard, and then once colder weather comes, let her know that it is time to play in the "pool in the bathroom" she will accept it!
Best of luck!

Have you tried getting into the tub with her? Make it a togetherness thing for a little while, and take her bath with her. She'll fell safer and enjoy the extra time with you. Then you can slowly wean her back to taking one on her own like a big girl.

As a few other mom's said, a shower is a good solution. Our little guy was about the same age when on a dime, he refused to get in the tub - screaming and wanted nothing to do with it. He's been showering with us for almost a year now, and it seems to work just fine. It's acutally a lot faster process too!

You might try getting something like this:

http://www.booninc.com/products/BathGoods

These are really fun, and BPA-free. She can wet and stick the flat thingies on to the bath wall--my daughter loves them. Maybe getting some new toys might excite her about taking a bath again. Or take a bath with her!

Sounds like the fall really, really scared her. What about a shower, can you get her to take a shower? Will she get in the bathtub with you? Maybe take a couple of baths together to reassure her that your bathtub is safe?

MIL's bathtub is safe because she has never had a traumatic event in it.

Good luck!!

Like someone else said, she remembers the fall and associates your tub with it.

Consider getting in the tub with her or seeing if she'll take a shower. I think there are "kid seats" that are made for bathing that might also be something.

Bath toys might help too.

Good luck!

M.,
My son hated the tub too. He would only take a bath in his baby tub (which we set inside the regular tub) so we used that until he was 2 1/2 and yes it was small for him but he didn't mind. He also would take showers with my husband. We started this when he was really young. So around 2 1/2 I started to just put him in the shower by himself. I stand outside the shower and just lean into the shower to wash him. He loves taking showers and it is much quicker than giving him a bath.

have you tried using the kitchen sink?

My kids have showered since that age and trust me when we had 5 to bathe every night it really helped. but anyways. you could try a nice new mat to prevent falls or one of the inflatable inserts they make for toddlers, just blows up and goes right in your tub. maybe the new items would help her feel safer.

My first thought is to get in with her for a week or two. Ease her back into it :-)

I wonder if having something solid to hold would be helpful for her? I deal with disability (MS), and a product we have found, intended for young children and bathtubs, is a sturdy suction cup bar for bathtubs (or showers) for places that don't already have those. I did a search for you and found it on sale at http://www.lullabyebaby.com/mh40524-bath-tub-handle.htm. If she could know that she could keep herself steady, I wonder if this would help. (When our twins where close to that age, we used a little bathtub seat of netting stretched over a wire frame... I believe I picked it up at a Wal-Mart, but that was nine years ago.)

i have a daughter the same age. and she also slipped and was surprised with a wet face, and then began to scream about baths. (which she previously Loved).

here is what i did.
for the next few baths i got in With her.
i sat her on my lap, and sang her a little made up song, about "now we wash your toes" etc. to the tune of a song she likes.
and i slowly washed her whole body, leaving her head for last, and by then she was calm, and even let me wash her hair. although she was still a little upset with rinsing it.

i did this a few times until she got calm.
then i stayed out of the tub, but right next to her, and without singing, did the same routine .
she remained calm, nut hesitant when i first put her in. i just reasured her a lot, and told her what a good job she was doing.

then i bought her on of those little bath scruby things, like they make for adults for body wash. and she LOVES it.
now i can put her in by herself. she plays the the scrub and has fun again.

so. thats what i did. hopefully that i helpful. good luck!

Try something different and fun like a naked bath from the outdoor hose. Or a bath in your utility tub or kitchen sink. Easy does it.

Give her a shower when you shower. My kids have been shower kids since they were infants!

My guess is that this could be a reponse that a new baby is on the way.

The other is find out what your mother in law is doing to get her in the tub. And is she happy while she is inthe tub there or is that stressing her out too.

Dont force her by any means. Let her take a bath from the sink, a spit bath. Just let her wash off with a warm soapy washcloth. Dont make such an ordeal over it, it will go way eventually. Its not that big of an issue, you are the mom, you are in charge, not her. Just put her on your lap with a towel lovingly and wah her with the wash cloth, she will not grow up after all never taking a bath

My son was afraid of going in the bath for awhile after he had gone #2 in the bathtub. He was afraid to go in there for about 3 weeks. During that time, I would just give him a sponge bath. Then he would only stand in the bathtub. I kept making bathtub fun with the toys and eventually (after a few more weeks) he sat down and started playing. Don't for her to go in, she will just become more afraid. I would do sponge baths for a few weeks in hopes she forgets what happened. Good luck!

I agree with the other moms. She most likely associates your tub with falling. If all else fails, try the sink! It may not be the most efficient form of bathing, but it works. We bathe our 2 1/2 year old in the sink all the time. I'll admit, it's mostly for convenience for us, but she still gets clean. You could also try putting her in her bathing suit and "swimming" in the tub. You have to do something to re-associate her brain. Try to put in just an inch of water and splash and play around in it, then gradually add more water. Good luck! :)

Hi, M.! My daughter is the same age as yours, and she's been taking a shower and loving it! The first time, she was a little nervous, but since then, she prefers a shower over a bath! Just give her some toys, and let her play. Good luck!

She is probably afraid of your bath tub because she remembers the fall, but does not associate your mothers tub to that fall therefore it is safe.
Have you tried showering her? We use to shower with my son at a young age. Now he would rather shower than bathe and he's only 6 :) I can't remember what age I started showering with him most the time but I do know he was able to stand independently and it was a very steardy stance.