Ds terrified of tub

[colenliam]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but,
Ds son is suddenly terrified of the bath tub.  He has always loved bath time, we bath everynight since the day he came home from the hospital.  2 weeks ago i was getting ds bath ready, and the shower head fell on my head (it a detachable one), ds seen his, i was really sick and when it fell I growled (which I never do).  I turned around to see ds son looking at me then he went into hysterics, would not stop crying and would not let go of myself or his father the rest of the night and since then there has only been sponge baths.  i can't get him to even go into the bathroom without his going crazy   I have tried everything, he is not a sensitive baby eithier, i don't know what to do.  Ive tried to get in with him, we've tried to make it a family thing, everything.  i feel like I scared my child and now he won't bath??  Any suggestions?

[¤ Efka ¤]

I am so sorry this happened

Maybe sponge bath for a while and maybe bath his toys, so he sees its nothing to be afraid of.

What did he do when you went into bath with him?

Would it help when you fill the tub before, so there i sno running water when you both get it?

I will move it to other board , I think you will get more answers there

[colenliam]

When i went in the tub with him he paniced, his whole body was shaking and his arms where wrapped around my neck so tight, I honestly had his finger nail prints in my arm.  Ive filled the tub up, when I shower now i have been leaving the bathroom door open and he will come in and look, at the tub and if there is no water in the tub then he is fine sometimes, last night he put his hand in the water that I had put in there for him, but as soon as I went to undress him thats when panic started.  I feel so guilty about this, you think only this would happen if something bad happened to him, but it didn't(to me I geuss).

[Harpersmom]

Could you try the sink or outside in a tub or play pool if it is warm enough?  Just so he gets used to being in the water in a different environment and feels safe.  Save the bathroom for a bath after he gets comfortable just being in the bathroom.  That is all I can think of.  I am so sorry this happened.

[yaya]

i just wanted to say that my friend's daughter did the same thing at age 1 and my ds did the same around 1 yr old too....it MUST be developmental. I was so shcoked, from one day to the next he was petrified then it sorted itself out after a week or so...I got in the bath with him to show him it was ok, had to do this for about 3 baths running then he was fine, now i cant get him out

[momofclaire]

Do you have a second bathroom in your home.  I would try bathing in another room as he may be more comfortable with that.  Sorry this has happened, poor guy. 

[Ennypen]

Personally I wouldn't push the issue at all and for a while go for sponge baths, having a shower if he will or playing on a paddling pool if the weather permits.

Whilst doing this I would encourage you to allow your little one to see you or your DH having a bath and having a nice time, splashing and playing with the bath toys etc.. but do not force your son to join in or anything.. just watch, maybe from the bathroom doorway.

I would also remove the shower from where it fell. He may be nervous that its up there waiting to fall again.

I reckon slowly but surely he will want to come into the bathroom and join in maybe from the side of the bath and eventually get back in .. but you must relax, have patience and give him all the cuddles that he needs.. If you show any impatience or worry he will pick up on it and it will reinforce his feelings that the bathroom is dangerous or scary.

Sounds silly as well... just check that his skin isnt sore anywhere, or that the water isnt too warm or the bath products (or even bath cleaner)  you use dont sting his skin or anything..

[Samuel's mum]

I would completely agree with previous advice.
Try and unscrew the shower attachment so it's not there. Try and have baths and washes in other places - even other people's houses with new toys and distractions and you in there too.
Just don't push it. Sponge baths can cover all the basics. Time will help a lot.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Great advice from the pp's - I would do that too - aim for sponge baths and gradually get him accustomed to the room again.  It will probably sort itself out shortly enough.  Good luck!

[colenliam]

Thank you for all the advice.
Last night I just got in the tub and he came in the bathroom and played with his toys from outside of the tub, put his hands in the water, so we will just try that for a couple days I geuss and go from there.  I brought the shower head down and turned it on, he liked having it sprayed on his hands, but didn't want to get in.  so we will se what happens

[¤ Efka ¤]

Ohh, this is great to hear he is doing little better

[GG]

DD went through something like this. After her baptism she developed a fear of the bath. She screamed as loud as she could when I tried to bathe her. I didn't give her a bath the first time but, after that, I was decided it was best to not show her that there was anything wrong with the bath. So I put the baby tub in the regular tub, as usual. Put some toys in the tub but no water. She kept getting up, wanting to get out. But I held her while she was in the tub, telling her "It's okay, honey" and talked to her calmly. She finally sat down and started playing with the toys. I slowly put some water in the tub and bathed her, but didn't wash her hair. Repeated it the next night and, soon, she was crazy about baths again.

[Ennypen]

Aw its great to hear that he is doing better. Remember don't be tempted to rush him into anything xxx
The phrase "softly softly catchee monkey" comes into mind lol xxx

H xx

[colenliam]

Hi,
I am starting to think DS is not Scared of the tub, he just does not want to bath.  This has been going on for 1 month now.  He loves the water, love the shower head spraying on his hands, but just will not get in.  i bought a big blow up ducky to see if that would work and still no, he also refuses to get into his booster seat at the table for meals.  Could he be just trying to take control.  Unsure of what to do now.  we have been sponge bathing him and once a week we have to almost force him in the tub to get hair and bopdy a good cleaning and you would think we were doing something horrible to him buy the ways he cries.  same with chair, I have just given up on that cause it isn't a must, but I think hygiene is a must.

[Harpersmom]

Oh I am sorry that this is still a problem.  I would agree that it sounds like he is establishing some independant control.  DS does this sometimes both for highchair and carseat.  If it is carseat I give him his pacifier and lovey and that usually helps.  I also kind of force it with the car and I tell him that this is not a choice we must get in the car.  With the highchair sometimes I will wait and try again in 5 min or I will give him part of dinner ie a cracker or cheese and once he has it in hand and is happily munching I will put him in the chair.  For bath he has only cried a couple of times so I let him stand and distracted him with toys and games etc.  You could try a new toy or bath paints something to make it fun?  Sorry if you have tried all of this.  This is what helped us.  Good luck and lots of hugs to you.