Any Ideas on Why My Daughter Won't Sit down for Her Bath?!

Updated on March 05, 2008
L.N. asks from Atlanta, GA
20 answers

We have a 16 1/2 month old girl, happiest child Ive ever come across - until bath time. Up until a few weeks ago all was fine, happy playing with toys and bubbles. Now for some reason we get screaming hysterics if we try and get her to sit, she screams and fusses all the way through bath - washing the hair is the worst, screaming, thrashing etc... She wants to play with her toys, but just bends down to get them and just stands there. Its a little worrying as nothing happened to make her afraid all of a sudden, its just become a standing battle every night and now its hot we cant really skip a night, so we go through this every night.. So is this normal and is it just a phase and any ideas about what i should do, or just let it be....I'm thinking it could be we stand in the bath for our showers - but wouldnt explain the screaming!

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much for everyones helpful advice, all very welcome! we're just keeping bathtime short and sweet until she sits again, just trying to make it fun for everyone! and im sure that it will end as soon as it started. Does seem a little better after i sat in with her the other night, so so much screaming when her hair is washed. so i guess thats a good sign!!
thanks again everyone.

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M.C.

answers from Columbus on

I agree with the no toys untill clean suggestion, but I had the same problem with my daughter, she didnt insist on standing that I can recall, but she did suddenly freak out about hair washing

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J.J.

answers from Athens on

You could try putting her in the shower with you. My son loves his bath but he loves it more when daddy puts him in the shower with him. Put some ear plugs in her ears if you need to and hop in and have some fun!Good luck mom:)

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B.

answers from Augusta on

Both of my kids went through this I never found anything that actually made it go away but one day they just grow out of it. just make the bath as quick as possible and get her out. it prob won't last but a few months.

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H.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Don't worry... she is figuring out cause and effect. But she doesn't understand all the logic at this point. She might feel the water goes down the drain and she might too... she scared... try not draining the water while she is in the tub and placing a large bowl over the drain... this helps sometimes. Also, you can get in the tub with her. Last but not least you could try showers... take a few toys with you into the shower (with both of you) and see if she likes that better. So keep in mind it's not you or her and it's very normal. Best of luck... enjoy this fun new phase!

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A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

My son went through the same thing- drove me crazy and I dreaded bath night. I think it really is just a stage b/c one day it just no longer was an issue. One thing that worked for us was having my husband jump in the tub with him. They would play and I would do all of the washing and it would be over before he knew it. I know it can be very frustrating so good luck!

A.

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S.B.

answers from Albany on

She might have a urinary tract infection from the bubble bath.

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A.S.

answers from Athens on

Hi!

My son is 2 and has been going through the same phase for a few months now. It drives my husband crazy, but as long as he's content as he is I let my son stand. We just go over being careful standing in the tub.

As for the hair washing dilemma, I wish I had a suggestion! Nick fights every time as well. We've tried the washcloth, stickers on the ceiling. Nothing seems to work. Just grit your teeth and get it done quickly!

Good luck!

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S.E.

answers from Atlanta on

Let her stand. Make bathtime quick! Even let the water run while you give her a super quick wash...don't fight it!

Good luck!

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J.K.

answers from Atlanta on

My daughter went through this when she was around 20 months. It lasted for about 6 months. She loves her bath, always has, but she just started wanting to stand up all the time in the tub, and also started the screaming when washing her hair. What we did was to get a really good, non-slick bathmat, and let her stand up in the tub. She loved this! We also tried these little hats from Babies R' Us that are supposed to block the water from getting in the eyes, but they didn't work at all. We tried washclothes, etc., nothing really seemed to work with her except warning her before we poured the water over her head, and having her shut her eyes really tight. That became a game, and she still does it!
One other piece of advice I just have to give..........I did try showering with her. She absolutely loved it, and so did I, until she slipped & cracked her head open before I could stop her. One emergency room visit & two staples later, I decided against showering with her from then on! It really terrified me, but she was fine, just needed lots & lots of kisses on her 'boo-boo'. Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Augusta on

My son is 17 months and started doing this same thing about a month and half ago. and he used to love baths, he would go into the bathroom in the middle of the day and try to get in the tub. Now when he is in he tries to crawl out. I dont really have any advice, but if u find something that works please email and let me kno thank you S.
____@____.com

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A.D.

answers from Atlanta on

I don't know if this may be the cause, but I had this problem when I was very small. Could she be sensitive to bubble bath or the baby wash you're using? My mother had to take me to the doctor many times until they figured out that the bubble bath and certain soaps were burning my girl parts. I wasn't able to use bubble bath again until I was grown... I still have to be careful with certain soaps.

If all else fails... let her take a shower. My son prefers showers. He's been taking showers since he was younger than your daughter.

'Manda

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L.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi L., I don't have a solution to your problem with your daughter, but I would like to say hello. I am also an ex pat and have been living in Peachtree City for 14 years. I am married, with twins; a boy and girl. They have just turned 25. There is a group of English ladies that meet at the Atlanta Bread Company every month. I am not sure of the day, but I can find out for you. I do not go, as I work, but they are a great group of girls. You should go and meet them, they will welcome you with open arms. Good luck with your little girl. Its probably a phase she is going through.

Good luck.

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A.D.

answers from Atlanta on

I never went through this with my older two children, but I am currently fighting this battle with my 15 month old. In fact, he has been battling with bath time since he was about 9 months old. I discovered that he loves his inflatable bathtub, but he has outgrown it. Ever since he has been in the regular tub, he's battled with sitting down, washing hair, etc. He prefers to squat and play with his toys.

I've found a few things that have helped. I blow bubbles for him in the tub, and it's a great distraction. I don't wash his hair at every bath unless he absolutely needs it, instead washing every other bath whenever we can skip one.

My sister, whose baby went through the same thing, suggested a bath mat, since it provides a little extra padding (my son doesn't seem to like the hard surface of the tub). It might be something for you to try, as well.

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K.S.

answers from Augusta on

I would suggest a shower with a removable sprayer. It takes about 5 minutes and it should help.

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K.S.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi L.,

Does your daughter have problems with diaper rash? Whenever my son eats Cheerios he gets diaper rash, and reacts the way your daughter does to the bath, and I assume it's because it burns when the water touches the rash. If that's the case, you can let her go diaper free for a while before she takes her bath, kind of to air the rash out. If she doesn't have a diaper rash, then you might want to try using a shower head that is connected to a cord for easy washing and rinsing, so she doesn't have to sit in the shower. My son loves ours! Good luck!

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V.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Have you just tried showering her? Or get a big baby pool outside get in with her and see if she will play with in the pool. My kids dont have that issue they love the water but i thought i would give you my thoughts. If she is afraid of the water showering her with you (having you) will make her more calm. Also peachtree academy for the daycare thing....my son and daughter go there. He will be attending private school this fall. Www.peachtreeacademy.com

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C.L.

answers from Atlanta on

maybe u can try to bathe with her, and about the right job, I;m in the financial industry and can refer u to a great company, looking for very motivated people, ready to make some money, email me at ____@____.com

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D.H.

answers from Atlanta on

I recently posted to this group with a similar problem with my 3 year old. I don't have any suggestions for the standing-up dilema, but what has worked the past two weeks with my daughter is I give her a washcloth (it can be wet or dry) to put over her eyes while I wash her hair. It keeps the water off of her face and gives her the control she needs. I used to have stickers on the ceiling and would have her "look at the stars" when we washed her hair, but that only lasted a month or so. My daughter loves to play in the bath but she hates getting her hair washed! Just make sure the rest of the bath time is fun with toys and bubbles and good luck with the washing part. I don't remember how old my daughter was when she started pitching a fit about baths, but the older she got the more options I could give her and that seems to help. Good luck and don't worry about daily baths unless your daughter is really dirty. You aren't alone in this situation!

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Z.C.

answers from Atlanta on

The first thing that came to mind for me was maybe she got in some water that was too hot and now she is having flash backs of that - It was something unpleasant that took place a few weeks ago to make her all of a sudden change - Or maybe she has a rash that is irritating her in the soapy water?

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L.S.

answers from Atlanta on

Not sure about the standing up thing. I might try a very shallow bath to start and fill slowly over time.
Try a no toys until washing is done rule.

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