Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing

Question: What to do if your 8 month old is terrified of the bath?

Answer:?

On our trip to Missouri Easton was just loving baths in Grandma's tub, just like he always did at home. He showed the whole family how well he can STAND in the tub and play with all the knobs and faucet.

Near the end of our trip he had a rashy bum and just cried when we put him in the bath- understandable. Unfortunately the next time I put him in the tub, the water was too hot. He cried again. And every bath since. He is no longer rashy and I use cool water, but I think he has developed a bath phobia. He tries to get away whenever I get him anywhere near the tub.

Its really sad because I think that may have been one of his top 5 life activities. So I am wondering if this will last. Do I need to help him get over this somehow?

7 comments:

Middletonfamily said...

Get some super cool bath toys or bubble bath or bath crayons and maybe he will be interested in the bath again!

BamDaddy said...

Get him a new bath toy and see if that entices him back into the water. Try having a bath with him. It seems like Eden went through a similar thing (after I had the water too hot) and so I bathed with her a couple of times and then she was fine again. Good luck!

BamDaddy said...

oh, that comment was by Heidi (not Phil)

Courtney said...

Bria went through a phase like that too, so we ended up just showering her with us from about 8 months until 14 months, when I put her in the bath randomly, and she liked it. I'm not saying that as advice, because that's a really long time to not use baths, and it's kind of inconvenient, but I am expressing empathy. :) good luck!

Natalie said...

Poor little Easton!!! I don't have any good ideas for you. . . maybe bathe him in the sink for a few tries? Maybe it is the tub that is making him scared? I hope he starts liking his baths soon! And I love the new look to your blog, very very cute!! And lastly, Maddie is in love with her belt! She put it on right after you left and wore it until bed! So dang cute!!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Mike and Kris said...

Dallas went through a phase of hating his baths. I bathed with him and just shortened my time in there with him over a week and now he's a little fish again!! Hope it works out for you!!

Soren and Kilee Nickels said...

Glad to know its normal! Thanks everyone. We'll try some of your tips!