Bath Fear!

[craftyashley]

Seriously, out of nowhere, my two year old freaks out at bath time. One day she's fine. The next- protesting any sort of bathtime activity. Screams until she's hoarse in the bath while I'm trying to wash the oatmeal out of her hair.
I just don't know what to do! There is no rhyme or reason for this behavior. Any ideas ladies? Thank you!

[twiceblessed]

The only ideas I can give you is what we tried with our (almost) 2 year old. She did the same thing, complete and total meltdown when she got near the bathtub and we still don't have any idea why. What finally worked for us was bubbles, toys and big sister. Big sister would get in the bath with her, we'd throw some bubbles and toys in there and she would stay calm. If any of that didn't happen or happened in the wrong order then we would have scream central. She still has a problem getting her hair rinsed without having a meltdown, but it's made easier now that I'm using a wash cloth to rinse her head instead of trying to lay her down or using the shower head. Good luck.

[eniese]

It might just be a phase. Toddlers try all sorts of ways to assert their independence. When my son went through the same thing, we got a couple of floaty toys and we'd give them baths together before he got in. It seemed to help.

[craftyashley]

It might just be a phase. Toddlers try all sorts of ways to assert their independence. When my son went through the same thing, we got a couple of floaty toys and we'd give them baths together before he got in. It seemed to help.

That is such a great idea! Thanks, eniese!

[Kayleesmom]

Do you think something could have happened in the tub that may have scared her? For example, if she slipped a little and her head went partially under the water for a quick second..... or maybe if she got water in her ears one night and it caused her some discomfort? My DD discovered that she can lay herself back while holding onto the tub to get the back of her head in the water. She now loves to do this, but one night her hand slipped and I quickly grabbed her but her head got dunked a little more than usual -not totally under- but it scared her a little at first. Just wondering if it could possibly be something that traumatized her a little if she went from being a bath lover to totally freaked about it.... Good Luck with her ;) Keep us posted on what works for you/her.

[craftyashley]

I went out and bought a really cheap Elmo bath set. Now we drag Elmo upstairs for his bath. They're so pre-occupied with giving Elmo a bath, they don't even realize they are in it themselves. Marvelous!

[mom-of-one]

We went thru this with our 2 year old. She would get herself so worked up that she would throw up. Nothing seemed to make her want to take a bath until we found color tabs that make the water change color. We found them at our local Wal-Mart. We have not had a problem getting her in the bath since! Good luck and just remember that you will find someway to make it better . . . for both of you.

[jandbsmom]

my son went through that same thing, he would scream the moment his feet hit the water. I didnt know what to do, then my youngest daughter got transferred from the baby tub to the "big kid" tub and it was great. he is no longer afraid, that and his almost daily morning "mommy showers" helps too, that way if we dont get around to the bath at night, I know he will get one at 5 in the morning when he gets up to my alarm.

[4tadpoles]

My then 20 month old started this also. We discovered (after the"YOUR KILLING ME!!" SCREAMS) that it was all over water getting on her face while attemting to get food, and other unidentifiable objects, out of her hair. She wouldn't lay down, use a rag or cup, or even do it herself!, without crying. I remembered with my older kids, getting them to look up, and working quickly, got it done. THIS drama queen didn't fall for that. So to keep her attention a little longer, I pinned cutouts of colorful birds to the ceiling, over the bathtub. (They are laminated.) Not only does it help get the work (washing) done by entertaing her, but while we're there, we work on colors, and counting, and making bird noises. Mabe you can try this with any object or character that entertains your child. Or maybe just try changing out your shower curtain with a "fun" one. I hope things work out for you soon!