9 Month Old Afraid of Bathtub

Get in the tub with him. I think he is scared.....so Daddy can't put some shorts on or whatever and get in and show him it's safe.....after doing this a couple of times or so, he should be fine. Also, don't put in a lot of water to start with. He'll be OK. Give him some time and he'll come around......this summer, get him an outdoor pool if you can and explain, it's kind of like the bathtub, after you all play in it a couple of times!
Good luck.

Maybe the tub is too big for him. At this age we bought a laundry basket and put that in the tub and the child sat in that. It gives them something to hang onto if they need to.

My son went through the same thing. I ended up getting in the tub with him and we transitioned me out. One day with him on my lap, the next time with him sitting between my legs, next time me scooting a little further back in the tub so we weren't touching, then me sitting with just my feet in the tub, etc. After awhile he was ok with me not being in the tub but wouldn't sit down. We finally got him to sit when we suggested he pop the bath bubbles with his bottom ;-) Now he LOVES the bath!

My son has always loved the bath, so I don't know if this will help, but often his daddy gets in with him. They used Burt's Bees Bubble Bath (all natural, no chemicals) and splash around in there and Daddy holds him and reads him a water-proof book and plays with his ducky. I wonder if your son would feel more secure if your husband got in with him a couple of times? Just an idea. Good luck.

There is a blowup duck that fits in the bath tub. This may be a good transition. It isn't too big, and is nice and soft, but he can splash too.

Try the kitchen sink. It's a lot easier on your back too. You can even try keeping the water running very slowly. The sound would be soothing and he may enjoy trying to "catch" the water in his hands.

My 10 month old son is the same. He actually hated his little tub too. We tried the blow up ducky tub and placed it in the big tub and he still screamed his head off. I decided one day to try the kitchen sink...for the first time ever no tears, screams or fights. He loves the sink. He plays and laughs. I think just being in the big tub whether in the ducky, his infant tub or with one of us was too large and scary for him. Bathing him in the sink also saves my back.

Good luck!

My daughter went through a phase where she hated the bath too. Recently, she has been terrified of the water running in the tub, so I don't have her in the bathroom when we fill up the tub. Try some sort of infant seat for your son to sit in in the big tub. It gives them a sense of security, but they can still play and splash. I have one made by First Years. My daughter is 1 1/2 years old and still sits in it!

I think the tub is just too big and open for him. Try a laundry basket, the kitchen sink, or get in with him. It is probably just a phase, but bathtime is usually such a nice time of the day and I'm sure you want him to enjoy it!

Hi, B.:

Put the baby tub in the bath tub and see if he will adjust after awhile
He is going through a change so he will be afraid.
Be patient.
Good luck. D.

My son (16 months now) was never a big fan of bath time until 6 months when we started to take him to a parent/child swim class at a local pool and a YMCA. He now loves being in the pool and enjoys being in the bath tub. Good luck.