hey everyone! Emma turned 1 on the 23rd of Sept. and we tried to give her a "big girl bath". Her baby bath tub has always been in the big tub, so we can't move it in there for a smoothe transition bc it's already there. Anyway, when we put her in the big tub she started screaming like she was terrified. I got her out and hugged her and calmed her down, checked the temp of the water again...it was fine. She looked back at the tub and started screaming again. That was yesterday. She got her 1 year shots today, so we just gave her a bath in her little tub. She usually adores her bath and splashes and laughs and loves it, but tonight even in her normal tub she was almost hysterical. I just don't understand. Is she scarred forever? I mean does this mean she going to be scared of her bath from now on? Does anyone have advise. I sure could use it.
Thanks, Holly

By Emily7 on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:37 pm:

Get in the tub with her.
My kids have always loved bathing & I have not BTDT, but I would try to take a bath with her. What kind of tub does she have?

By Tink on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:47 pm:

All of my dks have gone through stages of hating the bathtub but none have been downright scared of it. My youngest is going through a stage of not enjoying the tub so she knows that she just has to get in long enough to bathe and then she can get out. My ds had to be bribed with gummy bears to stay in the tub long enough to get clean. It worked and he will stay in for hours now, as long as I keep adding warm water. My dks love it when my dh or I get in the tub with them. Neither of us are comfortable being seen naked so we put on our swimsuits and spend time in there with them. I've heard that the size of the tub can be frightening. Have you tried a bath seat? My youngest really liked hers. You have to stay right with them if you use one. They have suction cups but they don't work worth beans and once they tip, it's nearly impossible for the child to sit back up. I've also heard of setting a child in a laundry basket so that they feel more contained. I also have let my dks take a bath in the kitchen sink. They love it. Well, there are a bunch of suggestions. I hope something helps.

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:45 am:

Start by taking a bath with her. I still take bathes with DD because its more convenient. Good Luck!

By Juli4 on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 08:26 am:

well she is a little young right now, but I have taken showers with my girls from about 15-16 months on. It is convient to put them in there while you shower and let them play while you do what you need to do and then wash them up. except for now I can barely take one by myself

By Christylee on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:20 am:

I think the take a bath with her and the bathtub seats are great recommendations. Also get some neat bathtub toys. They have some cute yet inexpensive ones.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:46 am:

Madison went through that at the same age. She was suddenly terrified of the bath. We discovered *some* of it had to do with the shower curtain and the shower. For some reason, those things scared her. Jules spent a few months bathing with her. *I* even did that when I kept her - of course, Neena was in her underwear or swim suit though! LOL

It passes........try diversions such as tub toys, or getting in the tub with her.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 10:40 am:

Get some bubbles and blow the bubbles while she is in there. It may distract her from being scared. Or make it a bubble bath for her (she may be to young to care about that though).

Put you suit on and get it with her is a good suggestion.

By Nancy on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:27 pm:

Do you think she is afraid of the freedom she feels in the big bath? Maybe you can try an inflatable baths that fit in the bath tub. It looks like a mini swimming pool with lots of bright colors I used one with my dd and she loved it. There is also a bath seat you can get.

By Hdelfuego on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 03:14 pm:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think tonight, I'll take a bath with her and bring the bubbles. That was a really good idea. I don't think I'm going to get the seat though bc I think she'd just try to stand up.=)

By Emily7 on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 03:32 pm:

Be careful of giving her a bubble bath, it can cause UTI's.

By Hdelfuego on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 11:13 am:

Well, I got in there with her last night. We didn't blow bubbles bc the bubble thing I bought didn't come with a wand...that's so dumb. Anyway, she did better. She didn't scream this time but she did fuss a little and I could tell she was very uncomfortable with being in there. I guess I'll keep trying the same thing for about a week.