Toddler Who Won't Sit down in Bath

my 20 month old has been doing the same thing. I ask her to sit several times and then tell her we are all done with the bath. she sits. but, if he wont sit after a few threats, wash him down quick and take him out. he will probably fight it, but will learn he needs to sit in the tub or he doesnt get to be in there. i assume he likes the bath and will learn what behavior allows him to stay in and play.

IT's a stage. My 21 month old still does sometimes. Sometimes I'll bathe with her and other times I will just sit her down. She'll cry a little and I will distract her with her toys. She always ends up enjoying her bath and in the end doesn't want to come out anymore.

Most little kids do this at that age. I found when my second child was going through it, that they are learning what they like, and what they don't like, and that htey're just learning to express it. With my second there was a SMALL fear there, and he just made a mountian out of a mole hill, because he COULD!!! Its a hard stage to go through, because you don't want him to be affraid of the tub, and if he's crying when he is made to sit down, there could be some small fear there, taht will eventually go away.

The best thing you can do is to make bath time fun. I don't know how you feel about giving him a bath with you once or twice, but if he see's that you're sitting in the bath, and that everything is fine, it might help out!!!!

J.
mommy to:
Dallas 5 1/2
Gabe 4 1/2
Kaleb and Kendyl 17 1/2 months

I have the same issue with my 14mos old and had the same issue when my 3yr old was that age. Its definitely a stage. I have the big blue, black and yellow fish(from most baby sections of stores) on one side of the tub and bought little turquoise suction fish to take up the other side. It cuts down on slipping and they like to play with the smaller fish by stacking them and stuff. He will eventually sit down, just keep your hands on him when he stands up (or close by) and he will be fine.
Good luck!

If he wont sit down in tub, try giving him a shower instead. Place a slip mat on the floor of the tub to help prevent slips. You get wet, but he gets clean.

My daughter did this at that age also. I bought a no-slip bath mat and had that in the water, she didn't slip once after that. Also if you get a handheld shower or a kids shower like this one...
http://www.ltdcommodities.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.as...
that only pumps the water from the tub onto him so you don't have to worry about over filling and such, he should start to sit down again.

Good Luck!

I think it's just something they do. My 16 month does it, too. They do it because they can! :) Do you have a mat in the tub? That helps ease the threat of a tumble. Of course you could always just not bathe them! They might get stinky but they won't fall, right?! Ha Ha!!!!

My daughter was that way when she started walking at 8 months - since then its gotten better due to the bath crayons & paints they have these days. Once I get her in I can't get her out now. But its because of the crayons, they are wonderful!!!

My 18mo. old is the same way. We just do our best while he's standing and moving about the tub. while in the tub, he has plastic measuring cups and foam letters/numbers to play with. Those do help to occupy him. I think this is a stage and there isn't a lot you can do. Giving him a shower is a good idea. You could bring him into the shower with you...

I would give him a shower and make a game out of it. Like pretending its rain and singing funny silly songs. (Barney has some great ones like, (if all the rain drops were .... and, rain, rain go away....) Also get him in and out quickly until you feel he can safely sit in the tub. This worked for my daughter.