Comments on: Help — My Toddler Suddenly Hates the Bath!

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:43:08 +0000

My newly released ebook deals with the fear of the drain. If your child has this fear and it is making bath time difficult, consider reading it together! http://www.meegenius.com/book/6070/im-not-afraid-of-anything

By: Dr. Heather

Dr. Heather — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:32:35 +0000

Great information! Yes, sensory issues can be strong factors here. Little ones’ brains are rapidly developing, and often these idiosyncracies improve over time. But for now it’s important to help him cope — and for you, as well. Hang in there. Do you know the book by Peske and Biel — Raising a Sensory Smart Child? It’s fantastic — we use many of the tips in our own home. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

By: Tephani

Tephani — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:18:26 +0000

My 2.5 yr old at 18 months developed a fear of getting his head wet, sprinklers, pools, and rain. At first I believed it was trama, then noticed other odd behavior with sound, wind, grass, carpet, and squishy material. After much prodding with Drs and a developmental pediatrician, we came to realize he had a sensory processing disorder. We are now allowing him to set the terms on his bath, and when needed for hair washing doing a count down, maintaining a calm tone, and expressing we k.ow it feels different, but we are here and no need to be frightened. Some days are Great and others are very trying. No advice or therapy has helped, but I have NOTICED he feeds off of my anxiety over bath time so I have to be calm and assertive.

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:58:05 +0000

My two year old just began crying during bath time too. But more than fear, I think he’s unhappy about being taken away from something more enjoyable like playing with trucks! Last night we tried taking trucks into the water so we could wash them- that was a good trick. Although, it didn’t work two nights in a row. I am going to try the bathtub erasers and some new toys to see if I can make it more enticing.

By: Dr. Heather

Dr. Heather — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:03:03 +0000

Carolina,

Keep it up — eventually, his natural love of water will take over again, and he’ll be splashing away. But for now, your can only support him through this time by being understanding (and by insisting on a bath when he NEEDS it — that’s OK). He’s too young to really understand that boys don’t go down the drain, even though he TRIES to believe it. He’s really just scared — and your support will mean he can resolve the issue better, over the long run. Hang in there and let us know how it develops! (And hopefully it’s warm where you live — you can rely on the hose! The kitchen sink is another option (with dangerous stuff out of reach, of course). Good luck!

By: Carolina

Carolina — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 02:48:58 +0000

Hi Dr. Heather, I am very glad I came across this website. My 2.5 yr old has suddenly become terrified of baths. A week ago, we couldn’t get him out of the tub and now all of a sudden, he is very scared. We mention the word bath and he starts to cry saying how he doesn’t want to take a bath. He is afraid he is going to go down the drain. He will tell us that boys don’t go down the drain…only water. Although he verbalizes this; almost like he is trying to convince himself, he is still scared. I have offered to get in the tub with him, for him to bathe with his brother, etc. We have eased up on the daily bath ritual and been doing baths every other night or so. During his bath, we sing songs which distract him a little, I close the drain and cover it up.
I don’t know what to do to help him through this phase. Any ideas?
Thank you,
Carolina

By: babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » A Toddler’s Strange New Fear, and What To Do About It

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:44:32 +0000

[...] And here’s another popular post on toddler fears (this one is about Bathtub Fears). [...]

By: babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » Another Reason Your Toddler Doesn’t Eat Much

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 02:11:21 +0000

[...] to do than to sit and be restrained in a highchair (things like walking, running, climbing and screaming about bathtime), but they have a hard time “tuning in” to that feeling of hunger to begin with. We can [...]

By: Crusty Baby, Meet the Baby Shrink « imanimama

Crusty Baby, Meet the Baby Shrink « imanimama — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:03:35 +0000

[...] and now long-lasting fear of baths. In fact, I actually found Dr. Heather when googling “why does my toddler hate baths?” And lo and behold, there she was. So while we’re going back and forth trying to figure [...]

By: Dr. Heather

Dr. Heather — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:06:04 +0000

Hi Axe l~

I know it’s very difficult, but for now all you can do is reassure her, limit baths, and keep trying modifications — wipe her down outside the bathtub, make a deal with her that you will only clean one area per night, etc. Also, if there are other little kids she can observe being bathed, kids who like their bath, that can help too. But if she HAS to have a bath, give her warning so she can get ready and then praise and reward her afterwards. I promise this will pass and one day she’ll be swimming like a fish, and you’ll remember back to this time with shock! Hang in there!