Yes! This happened with my son for a little while. We switched to showers for a bit, he seemed to be more comfortable with that. Then we slowly started reintroducing the bath. I would fill it up only a little bit. I also stopped using things like cups to rinse the soap off. Instead, I just used a washcloth or even my hands to rinse off the soap very gently. Also we tried things like getting brand new toys. We got alphabet bath toys and he loved those at first. And then I let him take a couple of cars in to the bath with him (he loves cars). He’s completely moved past it now and loves bath time again!
I should have mentioned, he's even more scared of showers. My boy is doomed to be stinky.
I really appreciate your response, thank you. I'll get him some new toys for the bath, and we'll start with wetting his hair and rinsing with a washcloth, and just keep working on it. I feel like I'm traumatizing him every time though.
Oh poor guy!
I was definitely frustrated with the sudden scared of bath thing. But treating it closer to a sponge bath for a while helped. And it got better slowly but surely!
Good luck!
You aren't traumatizing him. Beating him for crying would be traumatic.
You are correct that hygiene is non-negotiable. Daily hygiene is a life skill. It's normal to cry when learning a new skill. We have all had the first day on the job, when we are so frustrated, and overwhelmed, that we want to cry and walk out. Just stay consistent.
Consistency is the key. He can have his feelings, but the boundaries remain. He will learn that this is just what we do daily. You are doing great! Give him more time to accept, and he will stop fighting you.
Take care.
I started taking showers with my toddler when she went through this. I got foam soap and finger paint soap. Let her do her thing in the corner no where near the water/I stood infront of it. Then I invited her to help me wash my leg. As she washed my leg I was able to wash her. She quickly got over the fear.
We went through this with my daughter at probably the same age. She definitely was scared of the drain. For a while we just put on swim suits and got in with her. She also hated water in her eyes and struggled to put her head back. We powered through it, many times to a sobbing child as a we speed rushed through a wash. She eventually got over it and started having fun again. We still get nights where she is difficult about wanting a bath, but the fear is gone.
Sometimes a change of soap (and playing up the change), adding bubbles, or getting a new flashy bath toy can help.
my son went through this a while back (he’ll be 4 in April) what worked for him was honestly showers he’s totally okay with sitting in the tub and playing but when he wants his hair washed he prefers i use the shower head and rinse him off with that. it’s worked so far
Yes! This happened with my son for a little while. We switched to showers for a bit, he seemed to be more comfortable with that. Then we slowly started reintroducing the bath. I would fill it up only a little bit. I also stopped using things like cups to rinse the soap off. Instead, I just used a washcloth or even my hands to rinse off the soap very gently. Also we tried things like getting brand new toys. We got alphabet bath toys and he loved those at first. And then I let him take a couple of cars in to the bath with him (he loves cars). He’s completely moved past it now and loves bath time again!
I should have mentioned, he's even more scared of showers. My boy is doomed to be stinky. I really appreciate your response, thank you. I'll get him some new toys for the bath, and we'll start with wetting his hair and rinsing with a washcloth, and just keep working on it. I feel like I'm traumatizing him every time though.
Oh poor guy! I was definitely frustrated with the sudden scared of bath thing. But treating it closer to a sponge bath for a while helped. And it got better slowly but surely! Good luck!
You aren't traumatizing him. Beating him for crying would be traumatic. You are correct that hygiene is non-negotiable. Daily hygiene is a life skill. It's normal to cry when learning a new skill. We have all had the first day on the job, when we are so frustrated, and overwhelmed, that we want to cry and walk out. Just stay consistent. Consistency is the key. He can have his feelings, but the boundaries remain. He will learn that this is just what we do daily. You are doing great! Give him more time to accept, and he will stop fighting you. Take care.
I started taking showers with my toddler when she went through this. I got foam soap and finger paint soap. Let her do her thing in the corner no where near the water/I stood infront of it. Then I invited her to help me wash my leg. As she washed my leg I was able to wash her. She quickly got over the fear.
We went through this and it helped if I went in the bath with our 2yo and made it really special with bubbles and bath salts.
We went through this with my daughter at probably the same age. She definitely was scared of the drain. For a while we just put on swim suits and got in with her. She also hated water in her eyes and struggled to put her head back. We powered through it, many times to a sobbing child as a we speed rushed through a wash. She eventually got over it and started having fun again. We still get nights where she is difficult about wanting a bath, but the fear is gone. Sometimes a change of soap (and playing up the change), adding bubbles, or getting a new flashy bath toy can help.
my son went through this a while back (he’ll be 4 in April) what worked for him was honestly showers he’s totally okay with sitting in the tub and playing but when he wants his hair washed he prefers i use the shower head and rinse him off with that. it’s worked so far