Hi Ladies,
Just a quick question...my 2 year old has always loved his bath. He is a little fish and loves to swim and we literally have to pull him out of the tub when he is finished. 5 days ago we went upstairs for bath time, he started to strip down but when I put him in the tub he started crying and wanted to be pulled out. I thought the water was too hot, but it wasn't. I checked his bum and such to see if he had diaper rash or something else going on, nothing. So we tried again the next night, same thing. Finally after three days of this we went to my tub and I got in with him and he was fine, but not normal. There was no traumatic experience that led up to this. He was fine one day, then not fine the next. Anyone have any ideas what might be going on or had this experience? I am hoping it is just a phase, I want my little water bug back. thanks much.
Thanks Ladies! As always, some great suggestions. We took it slow last night, we alloted more time in his routine for a bath. We filled the tub to about half of what we usually do then we let him just play around outside the tub throwing his toys into the tub. Once he wanted them back we asked him if he wanted to go in and get them. he did and then next thing we knew he was splashing and rolling around again. So we will see if we can keep this going. Thanks again for taking time out of your busy days to respond to my question. I really appreciate it! Happy Spring!
Try putting him in the tub, THEN slowly putting the water in, along with some of his favorite tub toys. Let him pull the plug when he's ready to get out.
My son went through that as well, and he actually likes showers!!! First, we would take the shower with him, and now we stand by the tub and supervise. We put a towel on the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping, and he likes to stomp and splash the water collected in the towel. My son also likes bubble baths a lot, you may want to try that before the shower, I know it's a bit unconventional for a toddler.
You son could have had a nightmare about water that scared him. Or maybe it was something on TV. He might not even be able to express why he's suddenly afraid.
I would carefully work on getting him used to the water again. I would get a smaller tub. put water in it with a few toys. Let him play with the toys for a few bath times.
Then, a few days later put him in the smaller tub with the toys and fill the big tub with water. Again use toys to get him used to the water. Use bubbles or whatever to make it more fun.
After a few more days of that, slowly transition him into the big tub. He should be ready by then.
It's complicated but it worked for the little girl I was a Nanny to. She suddenly developed a fear of the water. It only took me two weeks to encourage her to get wet. After that, she would even shower. Good luck!!!
A. W,
Your toddler may be trying to tell you something here. If you use any Johnson & Johnson products with Q15, this is a formaldahyde product, some children get sensitive to it for very good reason, it is a poison to them, it is also linked in causing cancer to our children, it is also used to preserve the dead
I have been going through the same thing for the past month. It is only gotten better the last bath or two. My son (22 mo) would stand in the tub and hold is boy parts like he was afraid to pee in the tub. We have started offering him to sit on the potty before he gets in the tub which he is doing now (not peeing, just sitting). That didn't really make much difference at first, but now he's finally getting better. The other night he did pee in the tub but wasn't overly concerned about it. I've been thinking that this is just a phase that will pass. I almost wrote to this website, so I'm glad that you did! Hope your water bug comes back quicker than mine has been!
I went through the EXACT same thing with my son, about 4 times. I still have no idea what made him afraid of the bath. Each time, within a couple of weeks he got over it just as suddenly as it started. Most likely, your son is just going through a phase too.
A., I can see why you would be concerned. You didn't mention if he is a talker or not, my first thought was what reason he may have offered for not wanting to bathe in his tub. I know you said nothing traumatic has happened, but I wouldn't rule it out, it only makes sense that there was a trigger; remember, it may have been a small, non-issue to you, but quite a big deal to the little pumpkin. That he was willing to get into your tub with you implies that he may have felt vulnerable and frightened in his own tub, comforted and protected in the tub with mommy. I don't have any answers for you, just some considerations. Good luck!
Hi A. my son kind of did the same thing and what I figured out was he was scared by the shower. He associated the tub with the shower noise or whatever and wouldn't go in. It took him a few days to realize that they were different and that the shower head wouldn't come on. So I dont know if he had any experience with that. My daughter was taking a shower and forgot to turn off the head and so when I was running bath water one night the water came out on top and he freaked out. Just a thought.
Hi A.,
I had the same thing with my son. I seemed to just be a phase. He'll even do it now that he is 3, which now seems to be more of a control thing more than anything.
L.
It is probably important to remember that little kids go through all kinds of stages all the time. It is not unusual for them to be fine with something one day and it is SO scary the next. I think that all of my kids have gone through this stage at about two. My youngest son just turned five and he has always loved hotwheels. Instead of taking little fish or rubber duckies in the bath he wants cars. Even to go to bed, he wants cars. Just an idea, but work with the child and things go so much better.
