HELP! Ds is petrified of bath!

[KarlaB]

Ds will be two this month. For the past couple of months he has been SCREAMING in the bathtub and it's a struggle to even get him in there. He used to love it and all of a sudden it scares him to death. I cannot think of anything that would have made it scary for him. One night he just started :bawling: when he saw water drip out of the faucet and since then he's been scared. We tell him it's safe, he takes a bath with his 4 yo brother, I'm very careful when washing his hair, etc. In FL he went in the pool a little, but he could walk right in and even then he wasn't overly thrilled about it. Anyone been thru this or have any advice?

[JAK]

My ds went through that for a while. I think he was about the same age as your ds. For some reason he thought the bath water would over flow (no matter how low the water was) or that things would go down the drain (like him). No matter what I said his fear was real and it took some time for him to get over it. Maybe he could take a shower with you or your dh? Would that help him? All I know was that my ds did get over it- I don't remember doing anything special, just time helped.
Good Luck!

[netmechwife]

My sammy is 2 and I give him showers a lot.
We have a detachable shower head that I can get down and spray him down with. Sometimes I let him spray the tub himself or let him rinse the soap off himself.

[kat]

I remember reading that at about that age they are afraid of going down the drain with the water. I didn't have that trouble with mine though, so I guess I can't help. I'm sure that it will pass though. You could always do s sponge bath, or as my mom less delicately puts it: a whore's bath. :lol:

[Leigh]

Iam sorry KarlaB. I have never been through this either. I just wanted to let you know that I hope things work out for you soon.

[Diane]

I remember when I was little going through this. I wasn't necessarily afraid of the water but was petrified of going down the drain WITH the water... even a SHOWER scared me. (again, the drain) I have no great advice but wanted to wish you Good luck!!!! :) I hope you can find something that works!

Diane... :wave:

[RCT]

dd went through this at 2 also....we bought some toys just for the bath, and one of those visors for her hair.....she went through this for about 4 months, then it passed....I wish I had some advice, but I think its normal.....

[Amy J]

This is actually a very common problem and very normal. Toddlers are often scared they'll go down the drain (The same thing happens with toilets flushing). Do you let the water drain while your child is still in the tub?

[KarlaB]

Thanks gals!! I think it is an age thing, too, but it's been going on for a couple months and I just thought we'd be making some progress by now. Oldest ds never went thru this. (I had a niece go thru this, but my bil had told her there were snakes in the drain so her fear was a no-brainer.) I do sponge baths when ds is really upset, but haven't tried the shower yet because I have known kids who were freaked out by that and I didn't want to add to his fear. Maybe I'll try that tonight with him just sitting in the tub with no water and the detachable shower head.

AmyJ - We have always taken him out before the water drains, but I do think his fear is related to the drain. I even have him sit in the back of the tub with his older brother up in front blocking the drain and faucet...

Thanks again everyone!!! :)

[Melody]

Karla, what if you let him buy some character bubble bath? Let him pick it out and maybe a new tub toy? Something like one of those sand toys that have a moving wheel when the water goes through, a part that floats, etc. You could just take him shopping and let him pick out different things to drop in the tub. Or maybe offer to pass it to him once he gets into the bathtub. My kids love those fizzy bombs, would he like one of those? I hope it gets better soon.

[KarlaB]

Thanks Melody. We have tons of character bubbles and toys. My sis got him bath paints and my mom gave him some foamy mousse stuff from Bath & Body Works - he's scared of it! ugh! His bro got a new bath toy for his bday and he could have cared less about trying it out...in the tub that is! LOL! We have also tried squirt bottles, sponges, etc. I forgot all about those fizzy bombs - I'll give those a try! Thanks for the ideas!! :)

[Ryleigh]

my ds went through this for a bit when he was about that age. didn't matter what I tried he screamed like I was killing him. I was lucky enough that he was a early talker and could tell me that he didn't like the big hole that will eat me up (again, the drain). One night, dd pulled the rubber bath mat up over the drain and covered it up. She told him that nothing could go in the hole because there was a magic carpet protecting it. He was very into Alladin at the time, so that did the trick. Now he is just the opposite. He screams when it is time to get out of the bath.

[KarlaB]

I swear if the neighbors could hear him in the tub they would think we are killing him. :( I will also try the mat - sounds like a good idea and his big brother can usually convince him of anything!!! LOL! Thanks! :)