Advice for helping a toddler get over his fear of baths? He's always been terrified so bath time is a two person job…
Advice for helping a toddler get over his fear of baths? He's always been terrified so bath time is a two person job since he can climb out now. We've tried toys, lights in the water, not running the water at all when he's in, different temps of water, getting in with him, and playing music, and using essential oils. He screams bloody murder every time his feet hit the water. With a new little one on the way we really need him to get over his fear so just one of us can bathe him since we won't always both be available with a newborn around. Figured I'd ask early and try to solve this far before the new baby is due.
Deleted·
Will he do showers? Have you tried putting him in with no water and let him turn the water on and excitement with it in his own?
Raven·
Мама сына (2 года), беременна (8 нед.)
No, he's absolutely terrified of the tub and water. He won't go anywhere near the bathroom if the waters running, and screams if we put him in the tub even when it's dry
Mama Coco·
Just a few ideas: water/pool shoes (if he doesn’t like slipping), putting him in without any water and letting him turn the faucet on (gives him a sense of control, of course supervising so he doesn’t have the water too hot), try showering instead off a bath (probably with one of you guys in there), place him in the tub without water and have a separate bucket filled with water for him to splash and you to use to wash him with a wash cloth. Letting him wash what he’s able to by himself.
Really anything to get him to tolerate water without creating a more negative association to bath time.
My son hates soap, shampoo, bubbles and water poured in his head. Rinsing shampoo out is pretty hard unless we run the shower and let him control how much water gets on his head. And I’ve yet to find a way to dry his hair without him freaking out.
Good luck! Bath time can be stressful enough on its own.
Emma·
My son went through this for a bit at around the same age as your son. We just battled through it I think if I remember rightly ?! Now if he kicks up a fuss he’s allowed to take a favourite toy of his or something in the bath (obviously within reason).
He loves baby shark too so we got him a shark glove puppet and he sings it in the bath and gets the shark to catch my hand (which is the crab).
Maybe trying to get him to play with water during the day/ bathing his toys in a bowl of water ‘giving them a bath’ might help too?
Elizabeth Hebert·
Have you tried getting in with him? Or even having him watch you? Sometimes seeing that Mommy isn’t scared helps. It might take a few tries
Raven·
Мама сына (2 года), беременна (8 нед.)
I've tried getting in with him countless times, it never helps. @lizibear84