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squoggs 
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 Topic: Help please!!
Posted: 20 December 2011 at 7:39pm |
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My 18mo daughter used to love her baths, until several months ago. Not sure what happened, but have a feeling my MIL might have 'scrubbed' her when she came to stay (as they did back in those days!) and she might have freaked out because of this. Since then, we have tried and failed to get her into bath/shower/baby bath/bucket bath/kitchen sink to give her her nightly bath. She will happily play in bath or baby bath when empty.
Every night she ends up screaming and crying hysterically, and it takes ages for her to calm down. The other night I had a bath, and she was interested in it, so I undressed her and helped her into it, she freaked out again. She climbed out by herself, and starting trying to dress herself. She is now starting to freak out with nappy changes, and wants to put her nappy back on asap (so no bare bum time which she used to love). I thought it might be a clothes thing, but this morning when I got her up, she had taken her PJs off and was just in her nappy.
HELP!!!! Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I am home by myself 90% of the time as DH away with work, no family support up here & a newborn...the stress of bathtime - or lack thereof - is starting to wear me down and I end up in tears too.
I can't work out if its a behavioural thing (due to NB arriving) or something else is going on, she used to love the water.
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MrsEmma
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Posted: 20 December 2011 at 8:01pm |
I don't have many suggestions and you've probably tried these but do you have a shower you could try her in? That might get her used to the water again without having to sit directly in it.
Have you tried singing songs or putting on some music to make bathing a bit more 'fun'?
It's hard work with two so young and being on your own - especially during bath time, with 15.5 months between my two I hate when DH has to travel for work so I really feel for you.
I hope you find something that works asap!! 
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Kellz
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Posted: 20 December 2011 at 8:08pm |
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Have u tried a different time of day, like maybe when she is less tired. Also she doesnt need a bath each day, especially trying to battle it out on your own with a newborn too- I would cut it back to every second day and take some of the stress away for both of u for a while.
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troutpout
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Posted: 20 December 2011 at 8:51pm |
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Have you tried taking her swimming? That way you'll know if it's water she's scared of, or just the bath? Sorry not much help, hugs to you xxx
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Mum2ET
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Posted: 20 December 2011 at 9:12pm |
with the warmer weather coming up what about a paddling pool outside? and maybe in the late afternoon so she can have more of a splash around?
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MrsH
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Posted: 20 December 2011 at 10:18pm |
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Gosh, what a predicament! Could it be fear of going down the plughole? I know my son hated it for a while when he realised that that was where the water went (He even went as far as 'rescuing' his bath toys before he got out of the bath.
Sorry, not much help but I do like the idea of the paddling pool. If it's safe enough, fill it in the morning and let the sun heat it through the day and then she can get in in the afternoon.
I think it's at this point that they get more aware of things that frighten them.....
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shadowfeet
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Posted: 23 December 2011 at 9:44pm |
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I think around that age my DD went through a stage of hating baths/ screaming in the bath etc but got over it eventually
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MamaT
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Posted: 23 December 2011 at 11:13pm |
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I agree with the others re: the shower and pool ideas. Could you also maybe try putting her in her togs and going for a "swim" in the bath?
Try some new bath toys, even just stuff from around the house that you don't normally use in the bath, colouring the water, is she interested in helping you bath the baby?
At the end of the day though, you don't want to push it as it could become a real fear/issue, you need to make sure she is really comfortable with it. Like Kellz said, she doesnt need a bath everyday.
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squoggs
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Posted: 26 December 2011 at 7:10pm |
Hmmm still not sure whats happening, she likes her paddling pool, had her in the sea yesterday and she loved it. I asked her if she wanted a bath tonight and she said 'yes' and got really excited, played in it empty & helped me run it. As soon I put her in it she started crying & getting hysterical...might have to soap her up in the paddling pool! I give up, I'll just have to have a stinky kid 
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HoneybunsMa
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Posted: 26 December 2011 at 8:07pm |
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Is your shower over the bath? Can you fill the bath with the shower? Put her in it then turn it on? Another idea may be to either fill the bath or baby bath and have her sit outside it and have her naked or in just a nappy and just do a sponge bath slowly working back in to the water so feet in only and kicking the water round. I often "get in" to the shower when DD won't get in and she is happy after that. What about a doll that can be bathed and have her bath the doll, and help bath the newborn too, show her the newborn bathing and how happy she might get into that. Could you try bathing both of them at the same time after you've worked up to it?
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Help please!!
