Please help me cure my suddenly bath phobic son (age 14mths)

[rookiemum]

My DS loved his bath time right up to a week ago.
Its my own fault, we have long bath mats and I asked the cleaner to have a go at cleaning them as she usually doesn't. She left me a note saying they were too dirty and threw them out.( honestly we are way more hygenic than that last sentence makes us sound)

Bought some new ones but was in a rush and they are short ones, as a result DS kept slipping in the bath when he stood up to play with his toys. Now three days later he hates the bath. My friend advised bathing him at a different time, didn't help, and I have moved both bath mats into the one bath so he doesn't slip, didn't help as he was polevaulting over the side to get out so didn't notice.

Any advice gratefully received.

[tinpot]

OK, so we had this too at about this age. It was after we went on holiday and dd was not in her bath chair and of course slipped in the bath. We 'cured' her by putting her in the bath before the water was in, then running the water - ok if you have taps that control the water temperature easily. Otherwise, try just putting a tiny amount of water in the bath until he gets used to it and then add more each day.

She got over it in about a week.

Hope this helps.

[TheBlonde]

Have you tried getting in the bath with him?

[Desiderata]

I would suggest not making a big deal of it. In a couple of weeks he'll probably have forgotten his fear, and will return to the bath quite happily.

He doesn't need bathing every day, so perhaps give it a break for a day or so .. longer if you can bear it.

After a break, he might feel more inclined to enjoy his bath again.

[Whoooosh]

New toys for the bath to take his mind off it?

How about some of that stuff I can't remember the name of which goes all slidgy and changes colour?

Crayons for drawing on the side of the bath-dd loves this....good luck.

[rookiemum]

Thanks for the solutions folks. We are due to go on holiday on Saturday so Desiderata your suggestion will likely take place by default as we will be travelling around and can't guarantee there will be a bath there.

Whoosh those crayons sound fab, think we could do with some as well !

[ZipadiSuzy]

I have dts and the boy was like this for 8 months, although he was 2 1/2 I just used to wash him down, it was that or he made himself sick in the bath getting himself into such a state!

Its not life threatening, I wouldn't worry, he'll come round after he has forgotton! we tried playing over a baby bath till ds couldn't resist getting in bath with his 'new' toys!

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

[Malaleche]

Get an inflatable paddling pool - a really small one - and put it in bath, water can be in it or in and around it, it'll be familiar when you're away too.

[mumsgonemad]

Had similar problem with DD - so much so that whenever she saw any water she would get very upset and say "no bath, no bath" (kinda spoilt walks on the beach!). It resolved itself in time, but shallow baths, standing only in the bath, playing games (catch, squirty animals) and those beloved bath crayons (get at ELC) all helped. DD is now 5 and loves the water.

[kitbit]

we had exactly the same, so didn't push it, just did stand up washes for a few weeks. Then I found a little set in toys r us of squeezy squirty bath toys and started playing with them in the bath while he was having his stand up wash with daddy. Eventually he couldn't help himself and asked to get in to play. First time for 10 secs but it as a start and after that as long as he had his "special toys" he was ok. A very common phase I am told!